Chapter 6

1. What kind of news was usually put up on the bulletin board?

Answer: The bulletin board usually displayed official announcements and bad news such as lost battles, drafts, and new orders from the commanding officers during the war. It was a source of tension and fear for the villagers.


2. What was the usual scene when school began every day?

Answer: Normally, school began with a lot of noise and activity — the sound of desks being opened and closed, students loudly reciting their lessons in unison with their hands over their ears, and M. Hamel’s ruler tapping on the table to maintain order.


3. Other than the students, who were present in the class?

Answer: Besides the students, several village elders were present in the classroom. These included old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster, and other villagers who had come to show their respect for M. Hamel and their sorrow at losing the right to learn French.


4. Why did M. Hamel say it was the last French lesson?

Answer: M. Hamel said it was the last French lesson because an order had come from Berlin stating that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine from then on. A new German teacher would take over the next day.


5. What was Franz asked to tell? Was he able to answer?

Answer: Franz was asked to recite the rule for participles. However, he got confused at the very beginning, couldn’t answer properly, and stood there nervously, feeling ashamed and frightened.


6. Why did M. Hamel blame himself?

Answer: M. Hamel blamed himself for not being strict enough and for sometimes neglecting his duty. He admitted that he had sent students to water his flowers or given them holidays when he wanted to go fishing, instead of focusing on their education.


7. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

Answer: M. Hamel said that French was the most beautiful language in the world—clear, logical, and rich. He urged everyone to guard it carefully and never forget it, because when people are enslaved, their language is like the key to their prison.


8. How many years had M. Hamel been in the village?

Answer: M. Hamel had been in the village for forty years, faithfully teaching French to generations of children.


9. Why did Franz dread to go to school that day?

Answer: Franz dreaded going to school because he was late and hadn’t prepared his lesson on participles. He feared being scolded by M. Hamel.


10. What were the various things that tempted Franz to spend his day outdoors?

Answer: The warm and sunny weather, the chirping of birds, and the sight of Prussian soldiers drilling in the field tempted Franz to skip school and enjoy the day outside instead of facing his lessons.


11. Why was the narrator not able to get to his desk without being seen?

Answer: Usually, there was a lot of noise during the start of school which helped latecomers slip in unnoticed. But that day, the school was completely silent and everyone was seated, so Franz had to walk in front of the whole class, feeling embarrassed.


12. What was Franz sorry for?

Answer: Franz felt sorry for not taking his studies seriously and wasting time playing instead of learning. He regretted neglecting his books, lessons, and teacher once he realized it was his last chance to learn French.


13. Why were the old villagers sitting in the last desk?

Answer: The old villagers came to show respect to M. Hamel for his forty years of service and to express their sorrow for not learning French earlier. They also wanted to support their language and culture before it was taken away.


14. What were the thoughts of the narrator's parents?

Answer: Franz’s parents were more interested in putting him to work in the fields or mills to earn money. They didn’t prioritize education and were not serious about sending him to school regularly.


15. Why does M. Hamel say that we must guard our language?

Answer: M. Hamel said that language is a key to freedom. If people hold on to their language even when they are enslaved, it helps preserve their identity and dignity, and becomes a form of resistance.


16. M. Hamel was gazing at many things. What were they?

M. Hamel was looking at everything in the classroom with deep emotion—the benches, desks, the walnut trees outside the window, and the hopvine growing on the wall. He was taking a final look at everything he loved.


17. When and how did M. Hamel bid farewell to the class?

Answer:  When the church clock struck twelve and the Prussian trumpets sounded, M. Hamel stood up, pale and solemn. Unable to speak due to emotion, he wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard and dismissed the class with a silent gesture.


18. We appreciate the value of something only when we are about to lose it.

Answer: This idea is clearly reflected in The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet. Franz, the young narrator, never valued his lessons or his teacher, M. Hamel. He often skipped studying, disliked grammar, and took his education for granted. But when he learned that it would be his last French lesson due to the German order, he deeply regretted his careless attitude. The realization that he would no longer be allowed to learn his own language made him suddenly feel attached to it. He also began to admire M. Hamel, who had patiently served the school for forty years. The entire village felt a similar regret, and the elders came to show respect. The story teaches us that we often understand the worth of our language, education, and teachers only when they are about to be taken away.


19. Give an account of the last day of M. Hamel in school.

Answer: M. Hamel’s last day at school was filled with emotion, silence, and deep respect. The usual morning commotion was absent; everything was quiet and serious. M. Hamel wore his best clothes, which he usually wore only on special occasions. Even the village elders came to sit in the back benches as a mark of respect. M. Hamel taught the last French lesson with great patience and dedication, explaining grammar and history in a way that was clear and touching. The students listened carefully, realizing the importance of their language and education. The classroom was decorated with writing copies saying “France, Alsace,” and everyone worked silently. When the church clock struck twelve, M. Hamel stood up, pale and tall, and wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard. He could not speak due to emotion and dismissed the class with a silent gesture, marking a powerful and unforgettable farewell.