The Last Lesson: Language and Identity

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• English
• Secondary Education

The Last Lesson: Language and Identity

What do you already know about the power of language in shaping identity?

2

minute

00

second

+30 s

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson students will be able to:

• summarise the story

• identify key themes

• critically analyse the text

Starter Activity: Think-Pair-Share

Why might language be important to a person's sense of belonging? Discuss with a partner and share your ideas with the class.

READING TIME

Historical backdrop

1. Setting: 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War.

2. The Conflict: France was defeated by Prussian forces led by Bismarck.

3. The Consequence: The districts of Alsace and Lorraine were ceded to Prussia.

4. The Edict: An order from Berlin arrived to discontinue teaching French and replace it with German.

Historical background

 

• The Franco-Prussian war or Franco-German war was a conflict between the Second French Empire and later the Third French Republic, and the German states of the North German Confederation led by the Kingdom of Prussia. 

• It lasted from 19 July 1870 to 28 January 1871 and it was caused by Prussian ambitions to extend German unification and French fears of the shift in the European balance of power, if the Prussians were to succeed. 

• The Treaty of Frankfurt of 10 May 1871 gave Germany most of Alsace and some parts of Lorraine, which became the Imperial territory of Alsace-Loraine. 

• French determination to regain Alsace-Lorraine and fear of another Franco-German war, along with British apprehension about the balance of power, became factors in the causes of World War I. 

• Through the success of the Franco-Prussian war, Otto von Bismarck maintained great authority in international affairs for two decades. 

• The Franco-Prussian war led to the unification of most of Germany with the exclusion of Austria, and because of Napoleon’s abdication, the Papal States were absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy thus leading to both a German unification and an Italian unification. 

• The defeat of Napoleon III at the Battle of Sedan was a contributing factor for the Paris Commune’s establishment. Because of his defeat and the approaching of the German army, the working class was successful in overthrowing the government and establishing the Commune. 

Critical Analysis

Analyse how Alphonse Daudet uses Franz’s perspective to evoke empathy. Consider M Hamel’s emotions as symbols of dignity and loss.

Major Themes in The Last Lesson

Patriotism & Regret

Reflect on the regret of students and the teacher when their language is taken from them, and the rise of patriotic feelings.

Explore how the loss of language leads to a loss of culture and identity under foreign rule.

Language and Power

Linguistic Chauvinism

Excessive or fanatical pride in one’s own language, often leading to the belief that it is superior to all others.

The pain that is inflicted on the people of a territory by its

conquerors by taking away the right to study or speak their own language.

Role of parents and teachers in education:

The French teacher M Hamel tells Franz not to feel guilty for putting off studies. He asserts that even the parents and teachers are to be blamed.

Literary Devices

1. Irony:

• Situational Irony: Franz develops a deep love for learning French only on the day it is prohibited.

• Irony: The villagers are attending the "last lesson" in a classroom, filling seats usually occupied by students, to honor a language they neglected.text

2. Symbolism:

   • The Bulletin Board: Symbolizes bad news, oppression, and the loss of freedom.

   • M. Hamel's Ruler: Represents the strict, old-fashioned, and rigid method of teaching.

   • The Pigeons: Symbolize the natural, unrestricted freedom of language ("Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?").

   • "Vive La France!": Symbolizes patriotism and the endurance of French culture.

Literary Devices

3. Imagery:

• Visual Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the quiet school, M. Hamel in his fine Sunday clothes, and the villagers sitting in the back.

• Auditory Imagery: The sound of the pigeons cooing, which contrasts with the silence of the room.

Characters Analysis

Franz: The Awakening Narrator

Initially a typical schoolboy, Franz undergoes a profound psychological shift when faced with the loss of his heritage.

• The "Dawdler": At the start, he is a young boy who prefers the outdoors—woods and rivers—over his French grammar lessons.

• Initial Fear: He is terrified of M. Hamel’s "terrible iron ruler" and fears being scolded for his lack of preparation.

• The Transformation: Upon hearing the order from Berlin, his books—once "nuisances"—suddenly feel like "old friends" he cannot give up.

• Symbolic Role: He represents the common citizen who realizes the value of their culture only when it is being snatched away.

Characters Analysis

M. Hamel: The Patriotic Educator

After forty years of service, M. Hamel transcends his role as a strict teacher to become a symbol of national resilience.

• The Disciplinarian: Known for being "cranky" and "stern," he ruled his classroom with a ruler and a firm hand.

• Dignity in Defeat: On the final day, he wears his ceremonial "best finery"—a green coat and silk cap—reserved for special inspections.

• The True Patriot: He lectures the villagers on the beauty of the French language, calling it the "clearest and most logical" in the world.

• The "Key to Prison": He views language not just as a subject, but as the ultimate tool for resistance against occupation.

Sort the key events in the correct order

1

Unprepared student - Franz dreads school; ignorant of participals

2

Unusual Calm - School is quiet unlike the usual hustle bustle

3

Realization dawns - Franz regrets neglecting his studies

4

Teacher's Farewell - M. Hamel emphasizes French Importance

5

Teacher's announcement - M. Hamel reveals it is the last French lesson

In a nutshell

Comprehension Check

Analyse

Understand

1. Why did the villagers attend the last French lesson?

2. Discuss the symbolic meaning of M Hamel’s attire.

1. Who is Franz?

2. What was the announcement at school?

3. What is the setting of the story.

Connect to life

1. Why does a conqueror impose their language on the defeated?

2. Are there efforts to revitalize indigenous languages in our community today?

Notebook Work

Long Answer (120-150 words each)

1. Discuss the role of M Hamel as a teacher in the story.

2. Analyse the importance of preserving one's language and culture in the context of 'The Last Lesson'.

3. Explain how ‘The Last Lesson’ explores the theme of regret.

1. Why was Franz afraid to go to school?

2. What did M Hamel tell the villagers about their language?

3. How did Franz’s feelings change by the end?

4. Describe the mood in the classroom on the last day.

5. What impact did the order from Berlin have on the school?

Brief Answer (30-40 words each)

Home assignment

Research and prepare a 2-minute speech on any ONE topic: (for next week)

1. When a Language Dies, a World Dies.

2. The "Plenty of Time" Trap: The High Cost of Academic Neglect

3. Heritage vs. Hashtags: Is Global Culture Erasing Our Identity?

   
   

Writing Task: Notice Writing (DAY 2)

Write a notice for your school bulletin board. Your notice could be an announcement of a forthcoming event, or a requirement to be fulfilled, or a rule to be followed.