CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Last Lesson Set 03

Question. I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz; you must feel bad enough. See how it is! Every day we have said to ourselves. Bah! I’ve plenty of time I’ll learn it tomorrow. And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow. Now those fellows out there will have the right to say to you. ‘How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet can neither speak nor write your own language?’ But, you are not the worst, poor little Franz. We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.” 

Question. Identify the line from the text that reinforces the theme of patriotism in the story.
Answer: The line that reinforces the theme of patriotism in the story is the line where M. Hamel wrote on the blackboard - ‘Vive La France!’. This phrase translates to ‘Long live France’ highlighting M. Hamel’s patriotism towards his country, France, even in such a dire situation where French language had been prohibited in Alsace and Lorraine.

Question. Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank. She puts off learning till tomorrow. The phrase ‘Puts off’ suggests ___________ (to become sad/delaying)
Answer: delaying

Question. Complete the sentence appropriately. ‘You must feel bad enough’. Through these words M. Hamel urges the people that _________ .
Answer: they let the chance of learning their language slip away, and they might never get that opportunity again.

Question. State whether the following statement is True or False with reference to the extract. M. Hamel endorses the belief that there is plenty of time to learn their language.
Answer: False. M. Hamel endorses the belief that we should learn our language as soon as possible.

Question. ‘And now you see where we’ve come out.’ The tone of M. Hamel in the above line is that of
(a) kindness
(b) happiness
(c) regret
(d) enthusiasm
Answer: (c) regret

Question. ‘We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with’ Select the option, which conveys the meaning of ‘reproach’ as reflected in the above line.
(a) The player received a reprimand for breach of rules.
(b) The students approached the management with a demand for new canteen.
(c) The clerk received a letter of appreciation for his innovative ideas.
(d) She could not find a way to broach the subject with her boss.
Answer: (a) The player received a reprimand for breach of rules.

Question. M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it was the most beautiful language in the world — the clearest, the most logical; that we must guard it among us and never forget it, because when a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison. Then he opened a grammar book and read us our lesson. I was amazed to see how well I understood it. All he said seemed so easy, so easy!

Question. What do the given lines tell us about M. Hamel?
Answer: The given lines show us that M. Hamel was a courageous and a patriotic man. Even though, he was overwhelmed with his sadness, he took his last lesson sincerely.

Question. Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank. Franz was able to understand the grammar lesson easily because he was _________ . (introspective/receptive)
Answer: receptive

Question. Complete the sentence suitably. According to M. Hamel, Language plays an important role in the freedom of a nation because _________ .
Answer: as long as people hold on to and use their native language, they have the key to their freedom

Question. Comment on the tone of the given extract.
Answer: The tone of the given extract is full of patriotism and emotion as the speaker applauds their mother tongue and requests the listener to practice the language. He also presents the importance of language for an individual and a community.

Question. Select the option that completes the given sentence appropriately. ‘Prison’ in the given context would refer to ______ .
(a) discrimination due to community
(b) enslavement by a different nation
(c) lack of freedom to enjoy your own culture
(d) ban from participation is festivities
Answer: (b) enslavement by a different nation

Question. Based on the above extract, choose the statement that is TRUE for M. Hamel.
(a) M. Hamel does not want to leave his school.
(b) M. Hamel adores Franz.
(c) M. Hamel wants the people to guard their language.
(d) M. Hamel wants to fight the German leaders.
Answer: (c) M. Hamel wants the people to guard their language.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why did Franz not want to go to school that day? Or What tempted Franz to stay away from school?
Answer: Franz did not want to go to school that day because he feared that he would be scolded as he had not prepared his lesson on participles, on which his French teacher M. Hamel was to question the class that day. Besides, the warm and bright weather, the chirping of birds and the sight of the marching of Prussian soldiers also tempted Franz to stay away from school.

Question. What was more tempting for Franz than the rule for participles? Did he get tempted?
Answer: The chirping of birds and the sight of the marching of Prussian soldiers was more tempting for Franz than learning about the rule for participles. Moreover, the weather was bright and warm which tempted Franz to run away and spend the day outside. No, he suppressed the temptation.

Question. What surprises awaited Franz as he entered the classroom? Or What did Franz wonder about when he entered the class that day?
Answer: When Franz entered class that day, he was expecting a scolding from M. Hamel but he spoke very kindly to Franz and asked him to sit. Franz also wondered about the presence of senior villagers occupying back benches of the class.

Question. How did Franz plan to turn the commotion in the classrooom to his favour?
Answer: Franz planned to take advantage of the noise and distraction in the classroom by slipping unnoticed into his seat. He was late for school and afraid of being scolded by M. Hamel, so he hoped the commotion would divert the teacher’s attention from his tardiness.

Question. How different did M. Hamel look that particular morning in ‘The Last Lesson’? Or What was unusual about M. Hamel’s dress on his last day in the school?
Answer: M. Hamel’s dress on his last day in the school consisted of his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and a little black silk cap, all embroidered, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.

Question. Why was M. Hamel dressed in formal clothes in school? 
Answer: M. Hamel was dressed in formal clothes in school on that day because it was his last French Lesson and he wanted to make it special.

Question. Comment on the significance of the villagers sitting at the back in M. Hamel’s classroom.  Or Why did the elders of the village attend the last lesson?  Or Why did the village elders occupy the back benches in the classroom to attend the last lesson delivered by M. Hamel?
Answer: The village elders occupied the back benches in the classroom to attend the last lesson delivered by M. Hamel because they were sorry that they had not attended school more often. They also wanted to thank their teacher for his forty years of faithful service and to show their respect for the country that was no longer theirs.

Question. “This is your last French lesson.” How did Franz react to this declaration of M. Hamel? Or “What a thunderclap these words were to me!” (Franz) What were those words and what was their effect on Franz?
Answer: The announcement made by M. Hamel that there was an order from Berlin to stop teaching French, and that this was their last French lesson, seemed to be a thunderclap to Franz. He was shocked and sad to realise that he would no longer be able to learn French, his mother tongue anymore.

Question. What changes came over little Franz after he heard M. Hamel’s announcement?
Answer: After hearing the announcement, Franz was very sad and he regretted not learning his lessons, and suddenly being deprived of the opportunity to learn his own mother tongue. His books suddenly became his ‘old friends’ whom he could not abandon.

Question. Who did M. Hamel blame when Franz was unable to answer a question on French participles? Or Who did M. Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz? Or “We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with,” said M. Hamel. Comment.
Answer: M. Hamel blames both the children’s parents and himself for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz. The parents sent the children out to work instead of sending them to school. He blamed himself for making the students do his personal work during school time and giving them a holiday when he wanted to go fishing.

Question. How did M. Hamel praise the French language?
Answer: M. Hamel called French the most beautiful language in the world. According to him, it was the clearest and the most logical language. He wanted the people of France to guard or preserve it amongst themselves and never forget it.

Question. What shows M. Hamel’s love for the French language?
Answer: M. Hamel had taught the French language in the school for forty years and was overwhelmed with emotions when he realised that the villagers would not be able to learn it any more. He wanted them to preserve the language with them, thus showing his love for the language.

Question. How is the mother tongue important to a person? What does M. Hamel, the teacher say about it?
Answer: The mother tongue is the representative of a nation’s true identity and character. It acts as a binding force, creating unity among the countrymen. M. Hamel rightly said that when people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language, it is as if they had the key to their prison.

Question. Franz was able to understand everything that day. Why?
Answer: Franz thought that probably he had never paid much attention in the class, and that M. Hamel had never explained everything with so much patience. Perhaps, these were the very reasons that he was able to understand everything that day.

Question. What did M. Hamel teach the class in his ‘last lesson’?
Answer: In his ‘last lesson’, M. Hamel taught the class about grammar, then about writing and finally a lesson in history. More than this, he made his students realise the importance of their mother tongue, and taught them to take pride in their language.

Question. Explain the inference that can be drawn from the line. ‘Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?’
Answer: The given statement by Franz shows that the Frenchmen were full of hatred against the Germans. Besides, they feared German atrocities. They thought that they would be forced to read German and no one will be spared.

Question. What was M. Hamel’s contribution to the school in Alsace?
Answer: M. Hamel had given forty years of long and faithful service to the school. Though the students found him cranky, he was a true Frenchman at heart, who took immense pride in teaching his mother tongue. He loved the school and wanted the children to love their language.

Question. What does the contrasting imagery of the church clock and the Prussian trumpets represent, in ‘The Last Lesson’? 
Answer: The contrasting imagery of the church clock and the Prussian trumpets represents the tension between local traditions and foreign occupation. The church clock is a symbol of local, everyday life and continuity. In contrast stands the Prussian trumpets, which symbolise disruption, military power and the enforcement of foreign rule. This contrast highlights the theme of loss and the struggle to preserve one’s cultural heritage against overwhelming odds.

Question. How did M. Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town?
Answer: Towards the end of his ‘last lesson’, M. Hamel stood up to say farewell to his students and the people of the town. He then turned to the blackboard and wrote, ‘Vive La France’. Then he dismissed the class with a gesture of his hand.

Question. When do the residents of Alsace realise how precious their language is to them? 
Answer: The residents of Alsace realised the importance and preciousness of their language when the order from Berlin stating that only German would be taught in schools came.

Question. If this had been M. Hamel’s first lesson, how do you think the school experience of the students might have been impacted? 
Answer: If this lesson had been M. Hamel’s first lesson, the school experience of the students would have been different. M. Hamel would be just a stranger for them. They would not have become attached to him as they are now. In his first lesson, he wouldn’t get such a good and respectful response from students as well as the elders as he was getting now.

Question. Little Franz is the narrator of the story. The name ‘Franz’ means ‘from France’. In what way does the story being told as a first-person narrative of Franz impact your reading and understanding of the story? Provide at least one evidence from the text to support your opinion. 
Answer: Using the first person narrative of a child from the village, the reader is made to experience what the protagonist is experiencing. This is very evident when Franz gets to know about the order and feels that the words were a ‘thunderclap’. We, as readers, can feel the shock and surprise felt by Franz as if it is happening to us.

Question. ‘You realise the true value of a thing only on losing it’. Comment on this statement in the light of the story, ‘The Last Lesson’.
Answer: The given statement stands true for Franz and all the people of Alsace. The residents of Alsace did not give any importance to their native French language and their teacher M. Hamel. They preferred everything over sending their children to school for learning their language. They never took M. Hamel or his classes were not taken seriously. It is only after Prussians put a ban on the French language and M. Hamel was ordered to leave the country that people realised the importance to holding onto their mother tongue and started respecting their teacher.

Question. “...when a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison.” Do you agree or disagree with the above statement from ‘The Last Lesson’? Support your opinion in 40-50 words with a reason that is factual or based on your experiences. 
Answer: I disagree with the given statement. I think if people are enslaved, they need a lot more than preservation of their language in order to be free. For instance, during Apartheid in South Africa, non-white people only got freedom and equality when a democratic government was formed and new laws were enacted. In such situations, policy level changes to need to be made for people to actually be free. Further, while language is an important part of our identity, there are other aspects like religion which can help us preserve our culture.

Question. “I’ve plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow. And now you see where we’ve come out”. What does M. Hamel mean to convey through these lines? 
Answer: Through these lines, M. Hamel conveys the regret of neglecting one’s duty. He emphasises that procrastination leads to loss, as the students never valued their language lessons until it was too late. Now, when French is being banned, they realise the importance of learning it.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. The order from Berlin created a great enthusiasm in the school. Comment. [CBSE 2020] Or The order from Berlin banning teaching of French stunned everyone. Comment.
Answer: The order from Berlin had stunned everyone because it stopped the teaching of the French language in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. French was the mother tongue of the residents of these provinces so this development was unthinkable. Instead of French, they would now be taught German. This shocking development suddenly aroused a lot of zeal in various people in the story to learn their native language. M. Hamel, the French teacher, changed his behaviour from being a cranky and strict teacher to that of a very kind person, as it would be his last lesson, and he would be going away the next day. He also taught with more understanding and patience. Franz was not interested in learning the language earlier but now suddenly realised what he had been missing and became very attentive in class. The villagers regretted that they did not utilise the opportunities given to them for learning French when it was possible; so, they had turned up in full strength for the last lesson.

Question. The last lesson reflects the flaws in human character that led to the sad plight of people in Alsace. Substantiate your answer with evidence from the text. 
Answer: ‘The Last Lesson’ by Alphonse Daudet is a story about the loss of a language and culture due to war and political conflicts. The story highlights the flaws in human character that lead to the sad plight of people in Alsace. One of the key flaws is the tendency of people to take their language and culture for granted. The protagonist, Franz, was a young boy who did not take his French lessons seriously, believing that he could always learn them later on. He only realised the importance of his language when it was too late and he was about to lose it. Another flaw highlighted in the story is the tendency of people to prioritise their personal interests over the greater good. The German officials were more concerned with asserting their power and control over the region than with preserving the local language and culture. They did not consider the emotional and cultural impact that their actions would have on the people of Alsace. In conclusion, ‘The Last Lesson’ portrays the tragic consequences of human flaws such as taking language and culture for granted and prioritising personal interests over the greater good. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of valuing and preserving one’s language and culture, and the dangers of political conflicts that threaten to destroy them.

Question. Educating children is the responsibility of society. Justify the statement in view of ‘The Last Lesson’. 
Answer: It is true to say that educating children is the responsibility of a society as teaching and learning cannot take place in an isolated situation. Teachers play an important role in the society as they impart the education that makes us a social and responsible citizens of a country. Often students don’t take interest in the subject when the teacher becomes unreasonably strict. A teacher who is very understanding and sympathetic can instill confidence in students and encourage learning. Little Franz had less interest in his lessons as M. Hamel was very strict and often scolded him. But in his last lesson, he doesn’t scold Franz for reaching the class late. When he got confused while reciting, the teacher was very understanding and patient. After that, whatever he taught in the class was well understood by Franz. He took great interest in the class and felt pity that the teacher was going away. This shows that the change in Franz’s attitude was genuine and realistic. Further, apart from teachers, parents are also responsible in promoting education. M. Hamel criticised the people of Alsace because he knew that in his society the people give education a secondary position. Instead of sending their children to school, they send them to earn money. Therefore, it is in his last lesson that the village society realises the importance of education.

Question. Everybody during the last lesson is filled with regret. Comment.
Answer: It is true to say that everybody was filled with regret in the last lesson. M. Hamel is filled with regret because he had not taken enough interest in teaching French, as he often sent students for petty errands and gave them a holiday when he didn’t want to teach. Franz regretted that he had not been learning his lessons, but skipping school for enjoying other activities. He also regretted that M. Hamel was going away, and that he would never see him again, despite his strictness and crankiness. The villagers regretted that they did not utilise the opportunities given to them for learning French when it was possible. Hence, they had turned up in full strength for the last lesson. Thus, all of them regretted that this was their last lesson in French.

Question. After reading the chapter, you realise that man has an intense desire to subjugate others. You feel that in the modern world, there is a strong need for brotherhood. Write an article in 120-150 words for a national magazine on this. 
Answer: What will You Conquer?
by Sunil
The modern world is a world of selfishness and exploitation. In this world, to fulfill our need to be superior, we commit acts which harm others. As a result, wars, tensions, turmoil and conflicts are a common feature of this world. A very poignant example is present in Daudet’s story ‘The Last Lesson’ which is set in the background of the Franco-Prussian war. After the war, France lost two of its provinces to Germany. The Germans passed the order in these provinces, Alsace and Lorraine, that from now on only German will be taught in the schools. The imposition of German over French was humiliating for the local residents. It filled the people with great patriotic feelings. Suddenly, on the roof when the pigeons coo in a low tone, Franz asks himself whether they will make the pigeons also sing in German. This remark is a Frenchman’s typical reaction to the imposition of learning German. The attitude of the French is full of hate and desperation as they realise that their mother tongue and a well-respected personality of the society is being banned from their land. M. Hamel has to leave the country so that the new German teacher can teach the language of the subjugators. This shows that the Germans can go to all lengths to show their power to French people. Such acts undermine national identity, kindness and humanity. Thus, in today’s world, only the feeling of compassion, tolerance and brotherhood towards our fellow beings can lead us towards peace and prosperity.

Question. One’s culture, language and art can be a way to exercise one’s freedom when one is oppressed. Comment with reference to ‘The Last Lesson’ and ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’. 
Answer: It is true to say that culture, language and art can be a way to exercise one’s freedom when one is oppressed. They provide an agency to fight back against all forms of suppression. In fact, language and many art forms have been used by artists to present their views on cases of oppression. Two such pieces of literature are ‘The Last Lesson’ and ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’. In ‘The Last Lesson’, Daudet present how a community is suppressed through language and how language itself is the means of their freedom. M. Hamel is the key character who presents how language can be used to maintain one’s identity and can be the key to any prison. In the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’, the Aunt is oppressed under the male dominated concept of marriage. She finds her voice and expresses her freedom in the forms of her embroidery of tigers. Her tigers represents what she wants to become as they stand in stark contrast to her own character. Thus, one can find many such instances wherein language and art has been used to exercise one’s freedom.

Question. At the end of his last lesson, M. Hamel decides to leave a little note for each of his students for them to find the next day at their desks. Based on your reading of the story, what might his note to Franz read? 
Answer: Dear Franz, I know you have always preferred to run in the open fields, collect birds’ eggs and spend time in nature. But you must also realise the fact that there are some things that we are responsible about. For example we have duties to our family, society and nation. Learning our mother tongue is one of our prime responsibilities. We, the people of Alsace and Lorraine, have not done this duty sincerely. As a result, we have been invaded by the Prussians. Now that they have imposed their language on us, we have realised how much we love our language. But mere love without commitment is nothing. I saw in my last lesson that you were greatly hurt at the loss of the freedom to learn French. I appeal to you not lose heart. Keep making efforts to learn French. Soon, we will be free again. Sincerely, M. Hamel

Question. Comment on regret as a theme with any two examples from the story ‘The Last Lesson’. In the examples, do you think the characters’ regret is justified? Explain in 120-150 words. 
Answer: The theme of regret runs through the story ‘The Last Lesson’. The atmosphere of regret can be felt in the school’s environment. When Franz enters the school, he can feel a sense of sorrow and regret. The school is completely quiet when it is full of hustle and bustle on the other days. Even when Franz enters the classroom, he notices the elders from his village sitting in the class. When M. Hamel finally announces that was their last French lesson, Franz himself is filled with regret. He realises that the villagers regret not only learning their language well enough but also are now afraid of losing their identity as Frenchmen. Franz is distressed as well and feels regret for not taking his French lessons seriously. He wishes that he could get another chance to learn the language. Besides, Franz and the villagers, M. Hamel is also regretful. He regrets and blames himself for giving too many holidays to the students and sending them on errands. No, I don’t think regret is justified. No one could have predicted how things would turn out and it is not correct to blame oneself for little things in the past. Or Yes, I think that the regret is justified because it is important to establish one’s identity as a citizen of a country. It is important to learn one’s language and know about one’s culture.