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1. Reference Article 1
The short story 'The Last Lesson' was written by Anphonxu Dode - de in the context of France losing to Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War (1870 - 1871). France was forced to divide the regions of Alsace and Lorraine for Prussian occupation, resulting in schools in these areas having to teach in German. The poignant tale depicts the atmosphere of the final French lesson with the main characters being the boy Franz and his teacher, Mr. Hamel.
Franz is a lazy student who prefers playing over studying. He arrives late to school and considers skipping altogether, but ultimately decides to attend. Upon entering the classroom, he notices a stark difference in the atmosphere. Franz is surprised to see the villagers gathered in the classroom, from the old to the young. Furthermore, he is taken aback when Mr. Hamel doesn't scold or punish him for being late as usual, but instead, is remarkably gentle. Everyone, including the teacher, is dressed formally, exuding a solemn atmosphere with solemn faces. As the lesson begins, Mr. Hamel announces to everyone that it is the last French lesson. At that moment, Franz realizes his mistakes but it's too late. He struggles through reading his native language, not adhering to grammar rules, yet Mr. Hamel doesn't scold him. Instead, he imparts succinct and profound insights about the importance of one's native language. This makes Franz feel ashamed, regretful, and remorseful for not taking his studies seriously from the beginning. Mr. Hamel passionately lectures about the French language, stating that 'When a nation falls into slavery, as long as they preserve their language, it's like holding the key to their prison cell.' Everyone listens intently, and Franz is amazed at how much he understands of the lesson.
As the lesson concludes, Mr. Hamel, choked with emotion, can barely speak. He writes in large letters on the board, emphasizing the words 'FRANCE FOREVER!' before dismissing the class.
2. Reference Article 3
Franz was a playful boy. Once, on his way to school, he contemplated skipping class. However, he eventually mustered the determination to hurry to school.
Upon arrival, he sensed a strange atmosphere in the classroom, unlike the usual noise and chaos. There were even villagers attending, and surprisingly, Mr. Hamel didn't show any anger when Franz arrived late.
This was the last French lesson. Franz listened attentively to the lecture, feeling remorseful and pained for not taking his studies seriously. At twelve o'clock, Mr. Hamel stood at the podium speechless. Then, he turned back to the board but still tried to write the words 'FRANCE FOREVER' boldly on it.
3. Reference Article 2
Franz was late for school and contemplated skipping class, but he still made it to school despite being late. Passing by the commune headquarters, he noticed many people gathered in front of the notice board but paid no attention. Despite his tardiness, Mr. Hamel didn't scold him, which surprised Franz greatly.
Mr. Hamel informed the class that it was the last French lesson because the Prussian authorities had ordered that only German be taught in schools in the Alsace and Lorraine regions. Franz felt stunned and regretful for not studying diligently. During that final lesson, Mr. Hamel spoke to the whole class about the French language, advising everyone to hold onto it because 'When a nation falls into slavery, as long as they preserve their language, it's like holding the key to their prison cell.'
Franz and the entire class listened attentively to the teacher's lecture. When the church clock struck twelve, the sound of Prussian soldiers' bugles echoed. Mr. Hamel wrote on the board with all his might the four words 'FRANCE FOREVER,' then concluded the lesson.
4. Reference Article 5
That day, Franz arrived late for school. Upon entering the classroom, he felt a strange atmosphere. The village mayor, Mr. Hodder, and some others were present, which surprised Franz.
Mr. Hamel announced that this would be the final French lesson. Everyone listened attentively.
When the clock struck twelve, the lesson ended. Mr. Hamel turned back to the board, took a chalk, and tried to write boldly on the board the words 'FRANCE FOREVER.'
5. Reference Article 4
That morning, young Franz arrived at school slightly late and was surprised to find the classroom seemed unusual. He was truly shocked to hear Mr. Hamel announce that it was the final French lesson.
He felt regretful and remorseful for wasting time all this while, skipping classes to play, and struggling this morning to decide to come to school. In that final lesson, the atmosphere was solemn. Mr. Hamel spoke profoundly about the French language, lecturing passionately until the clock struck twelve.
At the end of the lesson, the teacher choked with emotion, unable to speak. He tried to write boldly on the board: 'FRANCE FOREVER.'
6. Reference Article 7
'The Last Lesson' is set against the backdrop of a historical event following the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 - 1871. France lost the war, and the regions of Alsace and Lorraine bordering Prussia were annexed into Prussia. Consequently, schools in these regions were mandated to teach in German.
That morning, young Franz arrived late for school, surprised to find the classroom unusually quiet. Mr. Hamel informed the class that this was the final French lesson. Franz felt regretful and remorseful for wasting time all this while, skipping classes to play, and struggling this morning to decide to come to school. The lesson proceeded solemnly from reading to writing, then to History class. Mr. Hamel spoke profoundly about the French language.
Suddenly, the church clock struck twelve, followed by the noon prayer bell. At the same time, the bugle call of the Prussian soldiers returning to camp echoed outside the window. Mr. Hamel, overcome with emotion, couldn't speak. Finally, he turned back to the board, took a chalk, and with all his might, tried to write boldly: 'FRANCE FOREVER.'
7. Reference Article 6
That morning, young Franz arrived at school late, surprised to find the classroom unusually quiet. Mr. Hamel informed the class that this was the final French lesson.
He felt regretful and remorseful for wasting time all this while, skipping classes to play, and struggling this morning to decide to come to school. The lesson proceeded solemnly from reading to writing, then to History class. Mr. Hamel spoke profoundly about the French language.
When the clock struck twelve, it also marked the end of the lesson. Mr. Hamel, overcome with emotion, couldn't speak. Finally, the teacher tried to write boldly on the board: 'FRANCE FOREVER.'
8. Reference Article 9
The character Franz is a playful boy who hasn't been diligent in his studies. One day, on his way to school, he was drawn to the unusual scenery, and upon arrival, he found the classroom unexpectedly calm, unlike the usual noisy chaos. Even Mr. Hamel showed no anger when Franz arrived late, which greatly surprised him. It turned out to be the last French lesson for Franz, as well as the last one taught by Mr. Hamel, due to an order from Berlin that all schools would now only teach German.
Franz was stunned and regretful for his past indifference to learning French.
In that final lesson, Mr. Hamel spoke to the whole class about the French language, advising them to hold onto it, saying, 'When a nation falls into slavery, as long as they hold onto their language, it's like holding the key to the prison.' The teacher had the students practice writing the names of their homeland, Alsace and Lorraine. In a mood of regret, Franz and the entire class focused intently on the lesson. When the church clock struck twelve, the bugle call of the Prussian soldiers sounded. Mr. Hamel wrote boldly on the board 'France forever' and ended the lesson with deep emotion.
9. Reference Article 8
The Last Lesson is a famous work by Alphonse Daudet. It primarily recounts the final French literature class.
That morning, young Franz arrived late to class, surprised to find the atmosphere unusually calm. Mr. Hamel announced to the class that it was their final French lesson. Franz felt regret and remorse for wasting time, for skipping school to play, and for the struggle he had to make just to come to school that morning. The class proceeded solemnly through reading, writing, and then history.
Mr. Hamel spoke profoundly about the French language. When the clock struck twelve, he stood up at his desk, his face pale, speechless. Finally, he turned back to the board, took a piece of chalk, and wrote boldly: “FRANCE FOREVER”.
