Brief Summary
The video summarizes "The Last Lesson" by Alphonse Daudet, a story set during the Franco-Prussian War. The summary covers the key characters: Franz, the narrator and student; M. Hamel, the French teacher; and Hauser, a villager. It describes Franz's reluctance to attend school, the unusual atmosphere upon arrival, and the shocking announcement that French will no longer be taught. The lesson becomes a poignant farewell to the French language and culture, highlighting themes of regret, patriotism, and the importance of preserving one's language.
- Story set during the Franco-Prussian War.
- Key characters: Franz, M. Hamel, and Hauser.
- Announcement that French will no longer be taught.
- Themes of regret, patriotism, and preserving language.
Introduction
The video introduces "The Last Lesson," a story by Alphonse Daudet set during the Franco-Prussian War. France was defeated by Prussia, led by Bismarck, and the districts of Alsace and Lorraine were seized. The story is narrated by Franz, a student, and features M. Hamel, a French teacher. Hauser, a retired mayor, is a side character.
Franz's Delay and Temptation
Franz is late for school and fears being scolded by M. Hamel because he doesn't know participles. He considers skipping class to enjoy the warm day, the chirping birds, and the sounds of Prussian soldiers marching. Despite the temptation, Franz decides to go to school.
The Bulletin Board and the Blacksmith
On his way to school, Franz passes the town hall where a crowd is gathered around the bulletin board, which has been a source of bad news during the Franco-Prussian War. A blacksmith sarcastically tells him he has plenty of time for school, but Franz hurries on.
Unusual School Atmosphere
Franz notices the school is unusually quiet, unlike the usual sounds of rulers and students reciting lessons. He peeks into the classroom and sees all the students are already seated, and M. Hamel is walking with an iron ruler. This makes Franz very scared.
M. Hamel's Politeness and Strange Occurrences
M. Hamel surprisingly tells Franz to go to his seat politely. Franz notices M. Hamel is wearing a special green coat, shirt, and silk cap, typically worn only on special occasions like inspection or prize distribution days. The atmosphere is serious and strange, with senior villagers occupying the usually empty last benches.
The Announcement: The Last French Lesson
M. Hamel announces that this is their last French lesson because an order has come from Berlin that French will no longer be taught in Alsace and Lorraine; instead, they will study German. This news shocks Franz.
Franz's Regret and Understanding
Franz regrets not learning French properly and realizes why there was a crowd at the bulletin board. He understands why M. Hamel is not angry and is wearing special attire, as it is his last day. Franz also recognizes the villagers have come to pay tribute to M. Hamel's 40 years of service.
M. Hamel's Reflections and Lesson
M. Hamel asks Franz to recite the rules of participles, but Franz falters. M. Hamel says it is not just Franz's fault but also his parents' and his own, as they all prioritized other things over learning French. He emphasizes the importance of preserving their language as a key to freedom.
The Grammar and Writing Lesson
M. Hamel teaches the grammar lesson with great detail and interest, wanting to ensure everyone understands. He then provides notebooks with "France, Alsace" written on them, symbolizing that Alsace belongs to France. The class is quiet, with only the sound of pens writing.
The Stillness and M. Hamel's Observation
The class is so quiet that even a mosquito goes unnoticed. Pigeons coo softly, as if listening to the lesson. M. Hamel intently watches the class, trying to capture the scene in his mind, reflecting on his 40 years of teaching.
Final Moments and Farewell
After the writing lesson, there is a history lesson and a phonetics class. M. Hamel's sister packs to leave. The church bell rings, signaling the end of class. Old Hauser stands up, puts on his glasses, and tries to speak, but he is overcome with emotion. Franz, unable to speak, writes "Vive La France" on the board. M. Hamel gestures that the class is over, marking the end of the lesson and the story.
