Question

What was M. Hamel's regret on the day of the last lesson?

Answer 1

Hint: Alphonse Daudet is the author of 'The Last Lesson.' The author recounts the events of the year 1870 when Bismarck's Prussian army captured France. Lorraine and Alsace were also under Prussian control. In these two districts, the French language was no longer taught. The French professors were given orders to depart.

Complete answer:
M. Hamel blamed himself for Franz's lack of understanding on the last day of the course, when Franz was unable to recite a grammatical rule. Instead of making students study, he lamented sending them to do duties like watering the garden. M. Hamel also expressed guilt for providing students with a holiday when he wished to go fishing. M. Hamel's biggest regret, on the other hand, was not having enough time to teach his students about their language and culture.

In order to honour and appreciate him, the village men also attend his "final lesson." The villagers lament and bemoan the fact that they did not learn their mother tongue as children. He considers French to be the most rational and beautiful language on the planet. M. Hamel appears to have become emotional at this point. He also asks the students to be careful with their words. He claims that being connected to one's language is a method to free oneself from slavery's grasp.

Note: Alphonse Daudet's final lesson is primarily about the need to understand and appreciate the mother tongue. It has a patriotic feel about it. The Prussians opposed the inhabitants of Lorraine and Alsace being able to learn their own mother tongue.