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Analyzing the masterpiece: The Final Lesson
I. Outline of Analyzing the masterpiece: The Final Lesson
1. Introduction
- Introducing the literary work and its historical context.
Emphasizing the allure of the French language:
+ 'It stands as the finest language in the world, the purest, the most resolute' aiming to ignite affection for French.
+ Reminding everyone 'never to neglect it', for a language of a nation is the key to liberate people from imprisonment, as long as we grasp it firmly and never let it decay, then the spirit and culture of the nation remain.
Inscribing boldly on the board four large letters 'Long live France':
+ A lesson on profound patriotism.
+ Refusing to yield before invasion, before the adversary.
3. Closing Thoughts
Expressing general sentiments.
II. Essay Analyzing the Last Lesson
Throughout history, wars, whether ancient or modern, fought for territorial dominance by power-hungry rulers, have brought tragedies upon humanity. Besides the loss of property, lives, and loved ones in cruel warfare, there lies a deeper tragedy within the soul when a nation faces the imminent loss of its language, a cherished aspect of its culture. The agony of being forbidden to learn one's own language and compelled to adopt a foreign tongue due to territorial defeat is poignantly depicted in the final lesson by the French author, Alphonse Daudet. Based on the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, where France suffered defeat, resulting in the annexation of the regions of Lorraine and Alsace to Prussia (a state under German hegemony), and schools were forced to teach German instead of French.
Set in the region of Alsace in France, titled 'The Last Lesson', signifies the final French language lesson in this area following its occupation by the Prussian army, after which residents would be obliged to learn German. The title not only introduces the story's theme to the reader but also conveys the author's melancholy, regret, and anguish over the plight of the French people. Furthermore, the last lesson symbolizes the formal acknowledgment of defeat in the face of Prussian invasion; France lost sovereignty over Alsace and Lorraine, enduring the painful division of the nation.
The main character of the story is a boy named Frank, who is naturally playful and dislikes studying, often arriving late to class or sneaking in when the class is noisy and the teacher isn't paying attention. Until that morning's class, Frank continued to prioritize play, delaying his arrival, even contemplating skipping class because he hadn't mastered the prepositions the teacher taught in school. However, something compelled him to resist his desire for amusement and run quickly to class. Along the way, he noticed people reading the notice board and encountered the blacksmith, Oat-stow, with the words 'Don't rush, my child, always arrive at school early,' which puzzled him and he interpreted as a mockery of his tardiness. However, the scene outside Mr. Hammond's classroom made him feel something was different. He could not have guessed that this would be the last time he could learn French - his mother tongue - on the very soil of his homeland, replaced instead by the German language of the invaders. A painful truth for any French citizen at that time. Initially, Frank feared being punished by Mr. Hammond for being late, his heart filled with fear and apprehension upon seeing the ruler held by the teacher. However, strangely, the classroom was quiet, and the teacher was gentle, even waiting for him to arrive. The teacher did not scold or punish him, and Frank began to notice the difference in today's class, it was more solemn than ever before. His teacher wore his finest attire, 'a dark green frock coat with smooth pleated lapels and a silk round hat embroidered, which he only wore on inspection days and reward days.' Moreover, villagers, old man Hodder with his worn-out exercise book, the butcher handing out letters, and many others appeared in class. As Frank remained astonished and confused, Mr. Hammond's solemn speech at the lectern made him realize the situation. Frank was stunned and angry, the words 'Today is the last time I will teach you. Orders from Berlin dictate that from now on only German will be taught in the Alsace and Lorraine regions... Today is your last French literature lesson...' awakened him to the harsh reality that France had lost, Alsace and Lorraine became the territories of Prussian rule, to be governed by the 'cruel' invaders. Discovering this horrifying truth made Frank's heart sink, 'My last French literature lesson!...' contained within it countless regrets, remorse, sorrow, and pain. He reflected on how he used to despise and waste his previous days of learning, which now became poignant as he struggled to write French 'incoherently', and the once burdensome textbooks became 'treasured companions', as he reluctantly bid farewell amidst anguish. As for Mr. Hammond, Frank was once afraid and apprehensive of his blows and reprimands, but at this moment, knowing that the teacher would depart tomorrow, his heart suddenly constricted, pained. Frank suddenly felt pity, how pitiful his teacher was. Thus, the shocking event completely changed Frank's perception of learning French as well as his feelings towards his teacher. While he was in turmoil contemplating farewell, he was called up to recite prepositions, his awkwardness, and embarrassment for not remembering the old lesson stirred up a myriad of emotions of regret and shame for not studying French seriously instead of indulging in play.
In the face of Frank's mistake, Mr. Hammond did not blame or punish. Contrary to the role of a French language teacher who dedicated 40 years to the country, he gently pointed out the mistakes of everyone here. It was the terrible delay in learning the mother tongue that pushed them into the disaster of becoming a mockery for the wretched invading forces, saying 'You claim to be French yet you don't know how to read or write your own language!...'. It was the great pain, the great shame of an entire community, clearly they had willingly lost their pride and culture by laziness and contempt for their mother tongue learning. The sovereignty of a nation is partly affirmed by the difference in language, in culture, yet they had forgotten it. That was the first lesson Mr. Hammond taught everyone in this final class. Another equally profound lesson is that Mr. Hammond spoke extensively about the beauty of the French language 'it is the best language in the world, the purest, the most resolute' to evoke affection for French, also teaching 'never forget it', because the language of a nation is the key to liberate people from imprisonment, as long as we grasp it firmly and never let it decay, then the spirit and culture of the nation remain. Then when the teacher lectured the final French lesson, he was really attentive and patient as if wanting to devote all the dedication of his life to impart to everyone in this final class. That made people cannot help but sympathize and love Mr. Hammond more for his dedication to the last moment. Not only the teacher, Frank and all the other characters in the class also became attentive and silent as if trying to gather the last bit of French knowledge before parting with it. All the characters in the story have a belated realization, but they all show a deep love for their homeland, so they understand Mr. Hammond's lessons deeply. That final class left in the hearts of every Frenchman indescribable emotions, regrets, pains, stirring emotions, a kind of sentiment and emotion that permeates the soul. Especially for Mr. Hammond, the most remarkable character in the story, his 40 years of dedication to this land finally came to an end, he had to leave that land after so much attachment, because of the expulsion of the enemy. The pain and sorrow made the teacher look carefully at every corner of the school in sorrow, quietly seeming to want to take everything here with his eyes. Especially at the end of the story, the detail of the teacher wanting to impart his final lesson in French without saying a word, only writing on the board four big letters 'Long live France', making the reader speechless with emotion. It is a lesson about deep patriotism, refusing to yield before the invasion of the enemy by the great teacher, and believing that in that class that day, everyone deeply understood this valuable lesson.
Thus, it can be seen that this final class, not only simply the last French class on the land of Alsace but more accurately, it is a meaningful and touching class about the love and protection of the national language, as well as the pride, love for peace of the nation that Mr. Hammond wants to impart to his students. The awakening of the character Frank is evidence of a deep understanding of the significance of the French people's mother tongue, as well as a belief in a future where France will be unified again, which the author wants to convey to the readers.
The final class is a moving work about patriotism, national spirit. Understanding the detailed content of the work, along with Analysis of the Last Lesson, students should not overlook some other important lessons such as: Summary of the Last Lesson, Overview of the value of the content, the art of the Last Lesson, Imagine and continue the story of the Last Lesson, In the role of teacher Hammond, describe your feelings going to class in the Last Lesson.
