The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet
About the Author
Alphonse Daudet was a French novelist, poet, and short story writer. He is a well-known figure in French literature. He was born on 13/05/1840. One of the peculiar things we notice about his writings is that he uses his own life experiences as part of his novels. His father was a silk manufacturer and faced financial ruin. So Alphonse did not have an easy life. He taught in a school at Ales where he had some really bad experiences. It is said that he had nightmares about his life as a teacher. His semiautobiographical work, 'Le Petit Chose' or The Little Thing highlights this. For some time he stayed with his brother during which he worked as a journalist and a man of letters. During this time onwards, he saw a boom in his writing career. He married Julia Allard who was also a writer in her own right. They had three children, one daughter and two sons. He died on 16 December 1897 at the age of 57. The work under study,' The Last Lesson' is a short story by him. It is a part of his collection named,' Tales of Monday' which is centred around the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. It is important to remember this. This story takes place in the backdrop after Alsace and Lorraine are annexed by Prussia.
Summary of The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet
Little Franz is a young French boy who would rather enjoy nature than be in school and learn grammar with its participles and whatnot. He would always be scolded by his strict teacher M. Hamel because he knew nothing about grammar or participles. On his way to school, he would pass through town hall where generally people would receive bad news on the bulletin board. Like who all fell in the war, or who were getting drafted for war etc. On this particular day, he saw people gathered around the bulletin board but did not think much of it.
In contrast to every day, the school was silent today. He would get a beating by M. Hamel with his ruler if he was late. But this day it did not happen. M. Hamel kindly invited him in. It was then Little Franz noticed that his teacher was dressed better compared to other days. He also notices the town mayor, the former postmaster, and an old man named Hauser sitting on the backbenches along with other villagers.
In an emotional speech, he discloses that it would be the last lesson he would ever give to them because the Germans who had occupied the territory now were imposing the German language and banning French education. Suddenly little Franz gets emotional.
There is a saying, you never truly know the value of something until it is gone. He now regrets all those classes he bunked. His books that he hated so much until now seemed like old friends. He felt honoured to attend his least favourite teacher's last class.
M. Hamel delivers them his best class. Things Franz never understood before, went into his brain easily. He also makes the class realize why they never made an effort in his class to learn French. Their mother tongue! Now someone alien will tell them what language to learn in school. Because if we look at history, whoever rules imposes their language. He talked about the French language, its history and its beauty. History also shows when people are forced to learn and accept a new language. If they hold on to their language they do not lose their identity.
Because it may not seem like it but, our language is a key component in determining our identity. In regards to this, he says, '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.' He also gave them new copies handwritten by him reading Alsace, France, Alsace, France reminding the students of their heritage. Little Franz was going to miss his hated teacher M. Hamel very much.
He had never seen M. Hamel so emotional. His voice broke off a few times. He wrote with big letters on the board, ' Vive La France!'. With choked voice he dismisses the class.
Analysis
The central theme of the short story is the deep connection between language and identity. Through the imposition of German in Alsace and Lorrain, Daudet highlights how language is more than a medium of communication. It is a symbol of heritage and freedom.
Let's take an example. English language was imposed by British rulers here. It is true that the influence of English on our native languages, culture and identity is decent enough. But the core identity of our native languages have not changed because our native languages were held fast by us. Hence they survived. Though they gained additional English influences and evolved for the better. That is not to say English or German in this case are not great languages. But our identities depend on our languages.
We have come to accept English without neglecting our mother tongues and native languages of India. We have made English into our own accent and dialect. It is called Indian English. Often we see some Indians are ashamed of Indian English. They try to put on fake foreign accents. There is nothing to be ashamed of. We should be proud of who we are and the way we have adopted the English language. We should also be proud of our native languages.
Here too we see French people holding on to their own language and heritage when their language and identity were being overthrown. There was an attempt to make them German.
Next, we see the transformation of Franz from an indifferent careless boy to one who is remorseful of his bad choices and accepts the change in his behaviour. His books seemed like his old friends. He found a new appreciation for his native language. He learns the importance of his own heritage. Even the youth of India similar to little Franz must be proud of their rich Indian heritage. It is often observed sadly that many are ashamed of being Indian. That should not be the case.
M. Hamel becomes a symbol of resistance. He inspires everyone to hold fast to their identity. We see great leaders in our own history too. Gandhiji, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat sign etc. are leaders who resisted and fought for our nation and identity. His ending the class with 'Vive La France' becomes a declaration of defiance and patriotism for France.
The presence of village elders, the mayor, and old Hauser signifies the collective loss experienced by the community. It serves as a reminder of each generation's responsibility to preserve their respective heritage.
Set against the backdrop of the French-Prussian war, the story explores the consequences of political conquest on cultural identity. Daudet showcases how language is the first casualty of political conquest. It results in emotional and cultural ramifications.
A piece of writing can be considered great if it holds relevance throughout time. Though written in the 19th century this work holds relevance even today. It showcases the fragility of identity and the importance of safeguarding it.