AHSEC| CLASS 12| ENGLISH| CHAPTER - 1| THE LAST LESSON| SOLVED QUESTIONS FOR 7 MARK EACH| H.S. 2ND YEAR

THE LAST LESSON

Solved questions for 7 mark each:

(1) Describe M. Hamel's last day at school.

Ans: M. Hamel came to school on his last day in his handsome green coat, ruffled shirt and embroidered silk cap, which was worn only on the days of inspections and prizes. When school began, he climbed into his chair and solemnly told his students and the villagers present that he would be teaching his last lesson that day, as orders had already arrived from Berlin that the school in Alsace be taught only in German. Be taught and Lorraine. She didn't scold Franz for being late and for failing to remember the rules for the participants. He told his students that French was the most beautiful and most logical language in the world and asked them to protect it.

He taught grammar lessons to the students. After grammar, he taught writing lessons. That day he had new copies for his students, written in a beautiful round hand - France, Alsace, France, Alsace. While the students were busy writing, M. Hemal sat motionless and looked intently around the school.

At last, the church clock struck twelve. It was time for prayer. After the prayer M. Hamel wanted to say something, but his voice choked and he could not say anything. Then he turned around and wrote in chalk on the blackboard in large letters "Vive la France!" And indicated that school is over.

(2) Why did M. Hamel not want to blame Franz for his distaste for learning?

Ans: M. Hamel, the school teacher, did not want to blame Franz alone for his lack of interest in learning. Franz was not the only one who put off learning until the next day. According to M. Hamel it was the great problem of the whole of Alsace which put off learning for the next day. Even Franz's parents, who wanted him to learn, often asked him to work on a farm or in a mill for little profit instead of sending him to school. M. Hamel did not absolve himself because he also gave leave to his students for personal work or other reasons.

(3) 'The Last Lesson' involves the deep suffering of the citizens as the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine pass into the hands of Prussia. How is the pain and suffering of the characters revealed in the text?

Ans: The story "Last Lesson" by Alfonso Daudet is set in the background of the Franco-Prussian War fought in 1870, a war France lost to Prussia. The French districts of Alsace and Lorraine passed into the hands of Prussia. The Germans issued an order to teach only the German language in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The people of Alsace were offended by the order as it would prevent them from learning their language. Due to this order also M. Hemal, who has been teaching in the school for forty years, will have to leave the school. To honor the French language, M. Hamel put on his fine Sunday clothes which he wore only on the day of the prize and inspection. His condition was pitiable yet he taught in French. He taught the students with great patience and care. It was as if he wanted to pass on to his students everything he knew about the French language. The school was also attended by elders of the village such as old houser, former mayor, former post master and many others. They assembled there to pay respect to their mother tongue and to pay tribute to Mr. M. Hemal for his forty years of service. He was also pained to know that he did not give due importance to his mother tongue. Even Franz, the narrator and student of M. Hamel, regretted not being able to learn his own language. He thought the Berlin order was ridiculous. His anguish and pain are revealed through his love for the French language and his distaste for German. According to M. Hamel, the French language is the most beautiful, clearest and most logical language in the world. He urged the French men to stick to their language and also protect it. If the enslaved people would stick to their language, they would surely get freedom in the long run. He even wrote "Vive la France" (Long live France) on the blackboard as large as it could be. It reveals the pain and remorse of M. Hamel and others when the districts of Alsace and Lorraine passed into Prussian hands and they were asked to give up their language as well.

***

AHSEC PAGE LINK - CLICK HERE

(Read Syllabus/ Exam Routine, Notes, Question Papers and solved)

READ HERE

SOLVED PAPERS

[ARTS, COMMERCE, SCIENCE]

SUBJECT - [CLASS – 12]

(FULL UPDATE COMING SOON)

1. EDUCATION: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 [PAGE LINK]