(Alphonse Daudet)
GENERAN
INTRODUCTION: -
Alphonse Daudet is a renowned French novelist and short-fiction writer.
He is famous for his precise observation of life, replete with a rare degree of
charm and humour as well. He is, at the same time, objective and personal. “The
Last Lesson” is one of his famous stories.
MAIN IDEA OF THE
STORY: - (Theme)
“The Last Lesson” is a
gently ironic story and at the same time patriotic tale of a schoolboy who
learns too late the value of his native language. It brings to light the
nationalistic feelings of the French people as portrayed through two persons:
an old school master, Monsieur Hamel, and his young student, Franz (the writer
himself). So, the story highlights the importance of general education and
national language for the independence for a nation. The more a language
spreads, the more the culture of its speaker spreads. Moreover, the historical
background of the story also deals with the Franco-Prussian War and its adverse
effects on the freedom of France.
SUMMARY: -
The story deals with the
aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War with left adverse effects on the people of
France. It so happened that the Prussians, after occupying the French region of
Alsace & Lorraine in 1871,
ordered the replacement of French by German language. Mr. Hamel, who had been
faithfully teaching French for 40 years, was going to deliver his last lesson
of French grammar that day. The story is about franz, the writer himself, who
was a young student at a French school. He always thought of escaping from
school and roving through the fields. Thus on that day when it was going to be
“The Last Lesson” of French,
he reached the school late as usual. He was astonished to see the pin-drop
silence, and the villagers and the elite of the town sitting along the students
in the classroom. His French teacher, Mr. Hamel was dressed in fine clothes,
which was unusual on his part. Everybody in the classroom looked very sad. All
these things created a sense of curiosity in his mind.
Soon Mr. Hamel
told them: “This is the last day I shall teach you. The order has come from
Berlin that henceforth in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine; all instructions
shall be giving in the German language.” The boy was greatly shocked to hear
this news. So, he was sorry that he wasted so much time and did not study the
French language. These words awakened his live for national language. He even
fell a great love for his teacher and forgot all punishments received at his
hands. He attentively listened to what the teacher said on that historic day.
While imparting his
last lesson, Mr. Hamel stressed the proper use of time. He warned his pupils
and the village elders that their wastages of time, ultimately resulted in
their defeat at the hands of the Prussian. Secondly,
he also blamed himself and the parents of his students for some negligence
about the mother language. He said that their parents had not shown much
anxiety about learning the French language. They preferred their sons to earn
money by spinning thread or working in the fields. He even admitted his own
negligence saying that he did often send them to water his garden when they
should have been at their work. He gave them holiday if he wished to go for
fishing. Thirdly, he told them that
French was strongest, clearest and the most beautiful language in the world,
which they must keep as a heritage. Ones mother or national language is like a
key by which the lick of slavery can be unlocked at any time.
Then he taught
French grammar so passionately that it seemed as if he was anxious to give
everything he knew. The whole gathering was attentive. Then he distributed some
papers, on which was written: “France,
Alsace!” Suddenly the Germans bugles
were heard at 12:00 noon. To end the class, Hamel took a piece of chalk and
wrote on the blackboard: VIVE LA FRANCE,
which means “Long Live France.” With tears in his eyes, he could say nothing and dismissed
the class by a motion of his hand.
CONCLUSIONU: -
In the end we can say
that the writer has very beautifully and realistically narrated this story to
highlight the importance of national language. In fact, it is language and
culture, which signify the worth of a nation. National progress goes hand in
hand with linguistic progress. In short, this story also tells us that we must
give the importance to our national language if we want to maintain and enjoy
out freedom and independence in the world.
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS
Q-1. does this patriotic tale of the French boy make us (Pakistan)
conscious the value of our own native language?
ANS: - (Gen. Int.) or (Theme) +
in the background of this story we become fully conscious of the importance and
need to learn our own native language. Language, in fact, is the most precious
gift for any nation. Our national language is Urdu, through our regional
language is Punjabi, which has further so many dialects. Unfortunately, we are
not giving due place and respect to our native language in Pakistan. Besides,
we have other regional languages as Sindhi, Balochi, Pusto and many others. We
must be proud of them; for they are the source of our identity. Our regional
and national languages possess our entire asset of life. Language is a link
between our present and past. The entire logacy of our religion and ancestors
has been transmitted and conveyed to us by language. But we are getting more
inclined towards foreign languages which are causing adverse effects on our
culture. we can get ourselves identified in the world only through our national
language. So, this story also tells us that we must give the importance to our
national language if we want to maintain and enjoy our freedom and independence
in the world.
Q-2. how does the theme of the tale relate to the subjects of
language and culture?
ANS : - (Gen. Int.) or (Theme) +
the theme of the tale strongly relates to the subject of language and culture.
It is a historical fate that language and culture are inter- related. Culture
of a nation is preserved through its language. The captors always try to ruin
the culture of their slaves by making them forgetful of their native language.
A nation or a race can enjoy its prominence and can keep its own separate image
through its language and culture. a man or nation can be enslaved physically
but they cannot be made permanent slaves till their language is alive in their
minds. Our personality, culture, literature and national heritage all are
dependent upon our language. It is an admitted fact that when a nation ignores
its language and adopts the culture of any other nation, it is destroyed that
was the reason that the schoolboy, the teacher and the French people were
extremely apprehended over the loss of their identity as a nation. Mr. Hamel
has himself highlights the theme of the tale saying, “Where a nation has become
enslaved; she holds the key which shall unlock her prison as long as she preserves
her native tonight.”
Q-3. The historical background of this story touches on the
Franco-Prussian War. Which can we infer about the aftermath of the war from the
context of the story?
ANS :- (Theme) + It so happened
that the Prussians, after occupying the French region of Alsace & Lorraine
in 1871. Ordered the replacement of French by German language. So, they were
deprived of using their mother language even in their own country. The purpose
of the enemy was to destroy the language, culture and recognition of the French
people. Now they realized the importance of their language, culture and
freedom, which they had never realized before. They also realized how much loss
they had caused to themselves by ignoring their language. Hence, this war made
the French people aware of their own weaknesses and blunders. They learnt the
lesson from their mistakes and again took control of the occupied regions in
1944-45.
Q.4:
draw a character-sketch of Mr. Hamel as a teacher
ANS: - In “The Last Lesson”
Daudet has portrayed the character of his French teacher, Mr. Hamel, in a very
befitting manner. It is through his character that the theme of the story has
been conveyed. We can discuss the qualities of his character in the following
way.
Firstly, he was a very hardworking
and diligent teacher. He had been teaching the French language for 40 years. He
tried to improve the knowledge of his students about their native language
French, in the best possible way. He stressed the need to work hard and use the
time properly.
Secondly, he strictly believed in
discipline. He always maintained discipline in his classes. He carried an iron
ruler under his arm so as to punish the defaulters.
Thirdly, Mr. Hamel was a true patriot.
He loved his country, countrymen and his native language. He advised the boys
to love their language, if they wanted to live free.
Fourthly, he was an optimistic lover of
his language. He told his listeners in his last lesson that the French people
could regain their independence through the power of their language. It is the
only key that can unlock the prison of slavery at any time.
Lastly, we can say that Monsieur Hamel was
a great teacher by all students, as he exercised control over the minds and
hearts of his listeners. His last words “VIVE LA FRANCE” (Long Live France)
clearly indicate his patriotic spirit and national pride.
University Question
Q.1: “The last Lesson” is a
story of national pride. Explain
(OR)
Write in your own words the
experiences of Franz in his last lesson.
(OR)
The story beautifully embarks
on the topics of Patriotism and love of mother language. Elaborate.
(OR)
The story is a satirical and
ironical comment on those people who ignore the value of their own language.
Prove
(OR)
Discuss “The Last Lesson” as a
story gently ironic and at the same time patriotic of a boy who learns too late
the values of his native language.
ANS: - (Theme + summary +
Conclusion)
Q.2: Which lesson about life does “The Last
Lesson” teach?
(OR)
Was Monsieur Hamel’s last
lesson about life or about grammar?
(OR)
What does the writer want to
convey through this story?
(OR)
What is the moral message of this
story?
ANS: -
As that of Textual Q-2
Q.3: What were Monsieur Hamel’s views about use
of time, parents’ responsibility and the French language?
ANS: - Theme + Summary Paragraph (3)
No comments:
Post a Comment