The Last Lesson - summary.

The Last Lesson is a short story written by Alphonse Daudet: a French novelist and short- story writer.  The story deals with the childhood experience of the narrator who was getting late for going to his school and therefore, he was very much worried that this time again he would be scolded by Mr M. Hamel; his french teacher.  But when he arrived at the school, then he realised that this day was completely different from other days.  Because usually when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street and the teacher's great ruler was tapping on the table.  But it was completely different on that day and everything was quiet and still.  When the narrator went towards his class and opened the door he was accepting that this time again he would be scolded but nothing happened.  M. Hamel saw him and said very kindly, "Go to your place quickly, little Franz.  We were beginning without you."

    

The narrator jumped over the bench and sat down at his desk.  He observed that the teacher was on one of the best dress which he usually wore on some special occasions. He was looking quite emotional because it was his last lesson of french.  Everybody was looking sad sitting in the class.  The amazing fact was that the crowd sitting in the class was completely different and everyone was looking quite sensible as well as disciplined. This time the students sitting in the class were the Postmaster, the Farmer, and several others.  

Thereafter, Mr M. Hamel mounted from his chair and spoke with his same grave and gentle tone which he had used usually and said, "My Children, this is the last lesson I shall give you.  The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.  The new master comes tomorrow. This is my last French lesson. I want you to be very attentive."

The narrator heard M. Hamel said to him, "I won't scold you, little Franze; you must feel bad enough. See how it is!  Every day we have said to ourselves, 'Bah! I've plenty of time. I'll learn it tomorrow. And now you see where we've come out. Ah, that's the great trouble with Alsace; she(Alsace) puts off learning till tomorrow."  

The narrator Franz seemed to be very attentive toward the last lesson given by M. Hamel.  He heard so carefully and attentively that he understand each of the concepts very easily.  He was in this school for the last forty years but this day was looking quite sensible and different as it was his last lesson.  

At the end of the story, Mr Hamel left the class without having any kind of zeal and said, "School is dismissed- You may go."  

The narrator was looking at the blackboard in which a line was written in large words i.e. 

 "Vive La France!" 

Format of Article Writing

1.  Title (Name of the Article)
2.  By Name 
3.  Introduction with some factual information of questions
4.  Presentation of facts 
5.  Explanation of facts and information
6.  Providing the causes of problem
7.  Giving an appropriate solution
8.  Conclusion 

1.  Title:  For writing an effective article it is very much required to choose an appropriate title for the article which either deals with the present problems and social issues. It would be fine enough to give the heading of the Article as concise as possible.  The title of the Article should not be more than four words.

2.  By Name:  After choosing an appropriate title, it is very necessary to write down your name with 'by'.  It provides an information to the reader that this is the name of particular person who had written this article.

3. Introduction with factual information:  Afterwards the introduction should be written properly so that we can create the interest of the reader in our article.  For writing an introduction a current issue or problem can be chosen or some question related to some problem can be put.

4.  Presentation of facts:  Whatsoever facts we have selected in the beginning should be presented in a sequence.

5.  Explanation of facts and information:  Thereafter facts should be explained properly so that our thoughts can take a particular direction.

6.  Providing the causes of the problem:  The causes of the problems whatsoever we have chosen should be presented for giving an insight to the reader.

7.  Giving an appropriate solution:  Then an appropriate solution for the problem should be given in a concise way.

8.  Conclusion:  Thereafter the conclusion should be given in one of two lines by using the words 'Nutshell', 'Crystal clear', and 'Tea spoon'. 

Important questions of Silas Marner

1. What kind of  life was led by Marner during his early days at Raveloe?  Why were people of Raveloe superstitious about him?
2. Why did Marner refuse the company of others and preferred to live alone?  Why William Dane was not considered as religious man?
3. Describe the life changing experience of Marner at Lantern yard?  Why he was convicted of robbing deacon's gold?
4. Whom would you like to be considered as a religious man and why?  Discuss.
5. What punishment was given to Marner and why did he lose his faith in God?
6. What happened after Marner treated Sally Oates back to health?
7. What was indicated by Silas's action of keeping safely his broken pot?
8. Where did Marner hide his money?  Do you agree with this statement that in the village life of Raveloe Marner turned to be a greedy person?  If not then why?
9. Write a short note on Cass family?
10. How did Wildfire die and why was Dunstion Considered as the most wicked person of the novel?
11. How did Dunstan find the hidden money?
12. What is meant by this statement, "Silas's guineas were a golden wine"?