The Last Lesson Long Answer Questions

Q1. The people in this story suddenly realize how precious their language
is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Ans: The huge crowd of villagers at and around the bulletin board, their
silent presence in class, the absence of the usual commotion at school,
and the emotions engulfing M. Hamel and Franz, representing the teacher
and the student community respectively, were all signs that the villagers
realised how important their language was to them. In the narrative, M.
Hamel claimed that people only come to understand the value of someone
or something in their lives after it has been taken from them or lost. The
people also came to understand the value of their language because of
the Berlin regime.

Q2. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the
pigeons?”
Ans: In the chapter ‘The Last Lesson’ , France lost two districts to
Germany. The Germans issue the order that the school will now solely
offer education in German. Franz hears the pigeons on the roof chirping in
a quiet voice as he enters his final French class. He speculates whether
the Germans will make the pigeons sing in German as well. This comment
was made by a French boy in response to being forced to learn German.
This demonstrates how far the Germans would go in their pursuit of
linguistic chauvinism. This proves that man has a strong desire to control
and impose his will on other people. Compassion, tolerance, and
brotherhood are desperately needed in our violent world if we are to find
peace and prosperity.

Q3. ‘My Last French Lesson! Why I hardly knew how to write! I should
never learn any more! I must stop there, then!
The problem of school dropouts and illiteracy / backwardness still plagues
our country. What qualities on the part of the administration,
educationists and youth do you think will help to surmount this hurdle?
Ans: India has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. The issue of
school dropouts and widespread illiteracy persists despite all government
initiatives aimed at improving literacy. Together with a strong political
will, the administration and educators in our nation must have a clear
vision for how to overcome these issues. They need to raise awareness of
the value of education in eradicating illiteracy and backwardness among
parents and kids. In this situation, it is crucial that wealthy and successful
individuals contribute back to society by supporting the government in
such endeavours. By utilising their services, the government may use the
educated youth to join the drive to eliminate this roadblock to progress.
Giving such students who volunteer for this activity during their breaks a
stipend can speed up the process even more.
Q4. After reading ‘The Last Lesson’, can you compare any of your
teachers with M Hamel? What values did he possess that every teacher
should be endowed with? Was he a patriot?
Are you a true patriot? Explain.
Ans: A teacher should serve as an example to the students, and M. Hamel
did just that. He was a stern enforcer who was also well-liked by them. He
was a devoted teacher. He expected his students to exhibit the same
pride in their language. He was not only the best instructor, but also a
patriot. My class teacher, Ms. Tanya is deserving of comparison to M.
Hamel because she possesses all the traits that M. Hamel did. Together
with Hamel, the villagers also radiated a strong sense of patriotism.
Notwithstanding the sad fact that the Germans were occupying their land,
they wanted to show their appreciation for their country by doing so. Their
devotion for their country deeply affects me.
I find immense inspiration in the lives of martyrs like Mahatma Gandhi,
Sardar Bhagat Singh, Lokmanya Tilak, and numerous more who gave their
lives in defence of their country. I also wish to contribute to my nation.

Q5. At the end of his last lesson, M. Hamel decides to leave a little note for
each of his students for them to find the next day at their desks. Based on
your reading of the story, what might his note to Franz read? (QB)
You may begin like this:
Dear Franz,
I know you have always preferred to run in the open fields …
Ans: Dear Franz,
I know you have always preferred to run in the open fields, collect birds’
eggs and spend time in nature. But you must also realise the fact that we
have our duties that we are responsible about. For example, duties to our
family, society, and nation. Ignoring these duties for the sake of pleasure
or money, leads to serious consequences.
Learning our mother tongue is our prime responsibility. We, the people of
Alsace and Lorraine have not done this duty sincerely. As a result, we
have been invaded by the Prussians. Now they have imposed their
language on us. Now, we have realised how much we love our language.
But mere love without commitment is nothing. I saw in my last lesson that
you were greatly hurt at the loss of the freedom to learn French. I appeal
to you not to lose heart. Keep making efforts to learn French. Soon we will
be free once again.

Q6. Though tempted by the bright day, Franz stated that he had “the
strength to resist, and hurried off to school.” As the story progresses, the
reader realizes that Franz, M. Hamel and the villagers would perhaps need
“the strength to resist” much larger forces. Discuss how the story
provides strategies for resistance and protection of one’s identity and
community through its events and characters. Provide relevant textual
details to support your argument. (QB)
Ans: The story is mainly based on procrastination and linguistic
chauvinism. In the opening lines of the story, we see that despite being
tempted by the bright day and the beauty of nature, Franz decides to go
to school. Later on, we come to know that the Germans had captured the
cities of Alsace and Lorraine, and the teaching of French would be stopped
and German would be implemented. Franz, M Hamel and the villagers
require the strength to resist the linguistic chauvinism of Germans and
retain their own identity. M Hamel provides us the strategy as he says,
“When people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language, it
is as if they had the key to their prison.
Q7. On the day of the last lesson, Franz felt that the “whole school was
strange”. Throughout the story, the reader encounters Franz’ account of
how school usually was, and what it was like on the last day of class with
M. Hamel. This contrast comes across through events, and the actions and
viewpoints of various characters.
In what way can the story be seen as a comment on schooling in general?
Does Franz’ description of school life resonate with your own experience?
Do you think the story might also provide advice on what good education
entails? Substantiate your argument with relevant instances from the text.
Ans: Through the view of FRANZ:
The school felt strange on the day of the last lesson because :
Everything was quiet like Sunday morning.
Mr. M. Hamel was being kind.
Along with the students the villagers attended the class.
Villagers were seated at the end to pay tribute to the teacher for 40 years
of his service.
School seemed sad and solemn.
Pin-drop silence was there in the classroom.
Franz’s usual day was as follows-
Great bustle was there.
The teacher was harshly rapping his ruler on the table.
Noise of opening and closing of desks was there.
Lessons were prepared in unison.
Q8. Franz from The Last Lesson and the peddler from The Rattrap
demonstrate the importance of learning from our mistakes to evolve into
better people. Imagine that Shubhangi, your friend, feels as if she has
made a mistake by not taking her academics seriously. Write an essay to
Shubhangi in 120–150 words discussing instances from the two texts to
give her an insight into the human tendency to make mistakes and learn
from them.
You may begin like this:
Shubhangi, all of us have made mistakes at one point or another in our
lives. After all, to err is human……….. (SQP 2022-23)
Ans: “Failure is the stepping stone towards success”
Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes are inevitable since we are humans.
We learn from our mistakes and discover ways to do better in the future.
We learned how Franz, who resented school and M. Hamel’s lessons, was
suddenly able to grasp and comprehend everything M. Hamel taught on
the last day in Alphonse Daudet’s Chapter The Last Lesson. Franz felt a
thunderclap of shock as M. Hamel announced to the class that it was their
last lesson. He was shocked by what he heard. He felt guilty about not
studying German when he had the chance to learn. Selma Lagerlof’s The
Rat Trap chapter demonstrates how people can improve by learning from
their failures. After stealing thirty kroners, the peddler became trapped in
the rat trap. Elma’s generosity and kindness helped him to see his error.
She brought the peddler to his house and treated him like the Captain
despite the fact that she was aware that he might have stolen something
or escaped from jail. Making mistakes is acceptable as long as we are
prepared to evolve from them and are willing to put in the effort to
improve.
Q1: Answer in 30 – 40 words: (2) [CBSE paper, 2012]
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school?
Ans: The order from Berlin directed schools in the districts of Alsace and
Lorraine in France to teach German instead of French.
Q2: Answer in 30 – 40 words: (2) [CBSE paper, 2013]
How did Franz react to the declaration that it was their last French lesson?
Ans. Franz was shocked and sad when he heard this news. Suddenly he
developed a liking for ‘his’ language and was keen to learn French. He
was remorseful for not learning well in the past and was sad that his
teacher, Mr. Hamel would go away.
Q3: Answer in 30 – 40 words: (2) [CBSE paper, 2014]
Why were the elders of the village sitting in the classroom?
Ans: The elders of the village came to the classroom to attend the last
lesson of French in the school as a mark of respect to the French teacher
Mr. Hamel who had been teaching there for the last forty years. These
‘elders’ had not studied well and could not read and write their mother
tongue, French and so as it was the last opportunity for them, they came
to attend the class.
Q4. Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words: (6) [CBSE paper,
2015]
The order from Berlin aroused a particular zeal in the school. Comment.
OR
Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words: (6) [CBSE paper, 2016]
Our language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. Describe how
regretful M. Hamel and the village elders are for having neglected their
native language, French.
Ans: When Berlin ordered that French language would no longer be taught
in schools in the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine, it stirred the
otherwise lazy Frenchmen. Suddenly, they all had a strong desire to learn
how to read and write their mother tongue. It was not only the children
who went to school but also the elders of the village who had not studied
seriously in their childhood, putting off
‘unimportant’ works to the next day. The day finally arrived as the last
day of French language in the schools. They become serious and keen to
learn as they feel the German would laugh at them for not knowing their
own language. They are ashamed of themselves when the teacher says
that this lack of knowledge is the reason for their defeat to the Germans
and asks them to guard their mother tongue as being close to one’s
language is the key to escape from the prison of slavery.
‘My Mother at Sixty Six’
Q1. Aging is a natural process; have you ever thought about what our
elderly parents expect from us ?
Ans. Aging is a natural process. A person becomes weaker as he ages, he
needs support both mentally and physically. So, it is our duty to give our
elderly parents the love, emotional support and respect they deserve. Our
parents usually give us the best time of their lives to bring us up.
Therefore, it is our moral duty to respond in kind as they age.
Loneliness is common in the elderly, and they require companionship. The
pessimistic attitude they develop towards life can be avoided only if we
lavish them with love, importance, and empathy. They expect their
children to sit quietly and talk to them about what is going on in their
lives, and to consider their advice when making important decisions. Their
depleted vitality can thus be easily restored. This joy will inspire them to
live life to the fullest. Thus, ensuring that we give them the best time of
their lives just as they once did for us when we were younger.

Q2. Write a brief summary of the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’ by
Kamala Das.
Ans. The poem begins with Kamala Das, the poet, is on her way to the
airport in Cochin, accompanied by her elderly mother. She suddenly
realizes her mother has grown old. Her face is ashen, as if she were a
corpse. This thought disturbs her because it reminds her of her mother’s
impending death. As a daughter, the thought of losing her mother disturbs
her, and in order to distract herself, she begins looking out the window at
the trees that appear to be sprinting as she drives a car. She also notices
small children rushing out of their homes to play outside. This brings back
memories of her youth and beauty.Her mother, on the other hand, is
getting older. She has grown old and is nearing the end of her life. This
gives her a sense of insecurity. In contrast to the young children and
green trees, the mother has aged and become as pale as the winter
moon.
As she waves goodbye to her mother at the airport, the poet experiences
the same pain and fear she did as a child, but she masks her feelings with
a smile that assures her mother that she will return soon. So, even when
the poet is terrified of old age, her smile gives her mother hope of
survival.

Q3. Imagine you are the poet’s friend. Write a dialogue exchange between
yourself and the poet
where the latter confides in you about her fears and asks for your advice.
What would your advice be to face her fears, to ignore them or something
else? (CBSE QB, 2021)
Ans.
Poet: Hi, how are you doing?
Friend: I am good, but you are not your usual self. What happened? You
seem lost somewhere else
Poet: I met my mother over the weekend. She is just sixty-six but was
looking older than her age.
Friend: Oh, they all look like that. My father is only fifty-nine but he
already looks like seventy. Poet: Not only that, but her health was also
looking deteriorated. I had to shift over here due to professional work. It
was a pain leaving her alone at home. I have not spent enough time with
her lately. There is so much I want to discuss with her, but don’t have time
Friend: Don’t worry, she will be well. We all seem afraid of the impending
truth. But, come on, face your fears boldly. Take a week’s off and spend
time with her. At least, you will not regret later in life.
Poet: But, my boss will not allow me to take off. You know the work
pressure we have right now at the office
Friend: Don’t worry, I will take care of that. I will work overtime for a
couple of days and cover up for you.
Poet: Thanks dear, you are truly a friend indeed. I will talk to boos in the
morning. Thanks and good night
Friend: So, cheer up now! All will be well. Good night.

Q4. Analyze the concept of losing our dear ones on account of old age in
the context of the poem.
Ans.The poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’ captures the natural complexities
of the human mind, as well as the universal fear of losing our parents.
Aging is an unavoidable part of human life that we must accept regardless
of the pain it causes in our hearts. The poet discusses her mother, who is
getting older and has a pale and weak face. Her mother, who is sixty-six
years old, is depicted as an elderly woman in need of rest. The poet
recalls how, even as a child, she was terrified of losing her mother. Her
fear has evolved over time into a fear of losing her mother to death. Her
attention is diverted by her mother’s failing health, but she smiles,
expressing her desire to see her soon.

Q5. In the last line of the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’, the word ‘smile’
is repeated three times. What is its significance ?
Ans.Even after attempting to distract her from the fact that her mother
was aging, the poet couldn’t help but notice her mother’s fading face. She
is afraid that this is the last time she will see her mother. However, the
poet chose to conceal her fear from her mother. The poet uses the word
“smile” three times in the final line to emphasize that, while she is afraid
of losing her mother and is distressed by their separation, she does not let
it show on her face. She smiles to persuade herself and her mother that
they will meet soon.

Q6. What are the main ideas combined in the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-
six’
Ans. In this poem, the poet details what her mother looks like at the age
of 66. She also shares her pain at seeing her deteriorate so much. It was
her last Friday morning at home when she looked up at her mother as she
drove to the airport. The poet was not only injured but also shocked to see
her sleeping with her mouth open. She became all the more worried as
she looked pale, shriveled and withered like a corpse. To distract himself
from this pain and suffering, she looked outside and saw young trees and
children. She understood in them life, vigor and vitality. Then to airport
security. A similar old age was reflected in her pale body. She compared
her to a late winter month and realized that it was due to old age. The
poet smiled at her to see her again and left. The poem was an example of
the pain caused by old age and separation.
Q7. In the poem “My Mother at Sixty-six,” how does the poet convey the
nuance of human relationships?
Ans. In the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-six,’ the poet Kamala Das depicts a
close relationship between a mother and a daughter with such sensitivity
that the reader is moved by similar emotions. The poem is written in one
continuous sentence and depicts a single thread of thought interspersed
with real-world sights and sounds that connect to the main idea of old age
and death. The poet is about to leave the airport with her elderly mother.
Her heart is gripped by the agony of losing her mother to death, but she
suppresses it. The fear in her heart is hidden by a smile on her face, and
she leaves knowing she will see her mother again.

Q8. Read the following and answer the question that follows.
“but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and smile…………….”
It is always painful to depart from our loved ones. Our hearts bleed but
lips smile. Nothing is more difficult than to wear an artificial smile,
notwithstanding the tragic fact that there may not be another meeting
with the loved person. Death is the ultimate goal of life.
After reading the above lines and the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’, do
you feel that death should be accepted silently and there is no use crying
over something inevitable? Or do you feel that sentiments don’t
understand the nature of death and sadness can’t cease? Justify your
answer.
Ans. According to me, Death should be accepted silently because it is
unavoidable and our minds are aware of this. However, our hearts are
unaware of something that is unavoidable. It understands emotional
language. It understands how to laugh and cry. We all care about those
close to us. Love is a beautiful emotion and the foundation of life. We are
heartbroken when someone we care about dies. Our mind understands
that death is the ultimate goal of life, but our sadness is natural. Similarly,
the author is aware that this is most likely her last meeting with her
mother. She is depressed, and her smile is an attempt to hide it. She can’t
stop loving her mother, and she can’t stop mourning her mother’s
departure and impending death.

Q9. Bring out the poetic devices used in the poem.

Ans. The poem “My Mother at Sixty Six” is structured into a one-sentence
frame with commas. This shows one chain of thought that runs through.
In her poem, My Mother’s Sixty-six, Kamla Das employs imagery to convey
her main point: aging is natural, and we all have to go through it at some
point in our lives. We should not be concerned about aging because it is a
natural process. The poet employs imagery to convey the concepts of
death and youth. “Trees sprinting, happy kids spilling.” This is explained
by the poet by comparing her mother’s old age to trees and young
children. Similes like “ashen as a corpse’s face,” “as a late winter’s
moon.” are used. The poet compares her mother’s old age to a corpse and
the moon in winter. They are symbols of hopelessness and darkness. It
refers to the symptoms of death caused by old age. The body and ashes
have arrived at the cremation facility. The poem reflects the poet’s fear of
losing her mother, which no one wants. She uses words and phrases like
“doze, open-mouthed,” “wan, pale as a late winter’s moon,” and “wan,
pale as a late winter’s moon” to describe these as signs of aging.
Young trees and children are personified by the poet. The young trees
grow quickly because children are active and represent youth, whereas
their mother’s face is pale, ashy, and corpse-like. Her youth is fleeting,
and she will soon be old like her mother. In My Mother at Sixty-six, the
metaphor “children spilling” is used. A child’s action represents youth,
while her mother represents old age. Youth and children are similar in that
they are both active and not in the state of dormancy like her mother.

The Third Level

Q1 Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley?
Why? (CBSE 2005, 2008)
Ans. Actually, Grand Central Station did not have a third level. Charley
stated that while travelling back to his house, he just made an imaginary
trip to the third level in order to escape the unsettling reality of this
planet. He would frequently explore relocating to Galesburg, which had
already been established in 1894 and was thought to be a peaceful
community at the time.
He himself had aspirations of going there and pictured himself living in
that era. Whenever he got back to his regular life, he couldn’t stop
thinking about that realm. In this way, we can claim that the third level
was unquestionably a medium of escapement for Charley because his
friend Sam’s disappearance forced him to believe in it and subsequently
he and his wife Louisa both started to search the third level. Even though
it was just in his head, it made him feel better.

Q2 Why did Charley again want to go to the third level?

OR
How did ‘The World’ help Charley to confirm his doubts regarding the
existence of a third level? (CBSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2019-20)

Ans. Since Galesburg had been in Charley’s thoughts since the beginning
as a peaceful place, he had found and noticed a significant difference
once he had visited the third level in his imaginations. However, when
Charley arrived at the ticket window, he discovered that he was unable to
purchase tickets or complete any transactions due to the lack of currency
of those days. Once he realised it, he went back to the actual world to get
some old-fashioned money from the exchange before going back to the
third floor and Galesburg to settle down.
He originally intended to get two tickets to Galesburg for himself and his
wife since he was certain that there, people lived carefree lives with
plenty of time for one another. With the money he had with him, he could
easily subsist there because everything was so inexpensive. Thus, even
though the third level didn’t actually exist—it was just in Charley’s head—
he wanted to go back there for his escape and satisfaction.

Q3 Philately helps keep the past alive. Discuss other ways in which this is
done. What do you think of the human tendency to constantly move
between the past, the present and the future?
Ans. Many people use stamp collecting, the study of postage stamps,
postal routes, postal history, etc. as a way to keep memories of the past
fresh. Other than this, there are many other ways to preserve our past,
including museums, historical structures & monuments, items used by
people in the past, photographs, and old literature; we travel into our
past. This is termed as philately.
Humans frequently have a tendency to wander back and forth between
the past, present, and future. Although we actually exist in the present,
thanks to God’s gift of memory, we can travel back in time and attempt to
look into the future. We find fulfilment, enjoy life, and manage to survive
in the present because our conscious and unconscious minds are in
control of this shifting.

Q4 Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?

Ans. Absolutely, the story shows how time and space intertwine. As an
escapist, Charley travels from the present to the past. It is practically
impossible for someone to have reached the final century in 1894, yet
thanks to his imagination, he was sent to the third level and ended up in
Galesburg, Illinois. That appears to be psychological, and Sam, his
psychiatrist friend, also slips to the third level and becomes a victim of the
contemporary worldly concerns. Science fiction author Jack Finney
discusses the intersection of time and space in a highly rational way and
establishes its plausibility through escapement.

Q5 Apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection?

Discuss.
Ans. Sometimes what seems to be nonsensical turns out to be a futuristic
vision, much like the majority of what we see around us. were once in
someone’s head and seemed impossible, but subsequently turned out to
be possible. It’s now achievable thanks to science. Such occurrences are
caused by our unconscious mind.
With the help of these factors combined, we are occasionally able to
create or learn incredible truths and things that were completely unknown
to the world until their physical manifestation. Hence, impossibility
appears at first but quickly enters the view due to correct projection,
shocking the general populace.

Q6 At the beginning of the story, Sam is sceptical of Charley’s discovery of

the third level. By the end of the story, the reader is told that he found the
third level and travelled back in time. How would Sam diagnose himself?
(CBSE QUESTION BANK)
Ans. Sam worked as a therapist. He was also Charley’s pal. Charley went
to Sam for advice when he had fantasies about the Third Floor at Grand
Central Station. Sam declared it to be only a short-term relief from his
anxiety. A waking-dream-wish-fulfillment, as he put it. Yet over time, he
found himself ensnared in this made-up universe. He spoke with
numerous psychic patients every day, who shared their problems and
concerns with him. Sam’s life has been burdened as a result. He also
began looking for sojourn. After hearing about the suffering of those with
mental illnesses, he yearned to leave the life that had become miserable.
Unconsciously, he also had the urge to escape the constraints of everyday
reality and roam freely in the realm of fantasy. He desired to picture
himself existing in a society free of suppressed anxieties and internal
problems. Although he first did not believe in the Third Level’s whim, he
secretly wished to believe in this fantasy. He was aware that Charley was
wrong, yet he still wanted Charley to be correct. As a result, he eventually
began to discover reality on a whim and became trapped.
Q10. Imagine the mother gets to know of the poet’s persona’s fears. Write
a letter, as the mother, telling the daughter why she must not dwell on
these fears. (CBSE QB,2021)
You may begin this way:
Pallipuram
Cochin, Kerala
22 August ‘60
My dear Kamala,
I am writing to you because when you left me at the airport, I felt
something wasn’t right. Judging by how little you spoke that day
………………………. ………………………………………(continue)
…………………………………
With love Amma

Ans.
Pallipuram
Cochin, Kerala
22 August ‘60
My Dear Kamala,
I’m writing to you because something didn’t feel right when you dropped
me off at the airport, judging by how little you said that day. I understand
you were attempting to conceal your fears. You are afraid that you will
lose me and that I will die soon. You can put your worries to rest, my child,
because I am in the prime of my health. I am actively performing my daily
chores and am not becoming tired; I am looking forward to meeting you
soon. If everything goes as planned, I’ll be shitting near you in about a
month.
Having said that, my child, you must recognise that death is the ultimate
truth of life. The one who is bom must perish. We will all face this fate
sooner or later. As your guide and mentor, I would advise you to face this
truth boldly, as it will be realized in my case as well. Remember, when
that day comes, I want you to cherish the happy times we shared and
move on with your life, not mourn. I look forward to seeing you soon.
With love Amma