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!"