• We've all a great deal to reproach ourselves with", said M. Hamel.
Refer to the context and explain
what he wanted to convey to his students.
this line is taken from the chapter ‘The Last Lesson’ written by Alphanso Daudet. This line
is spoken to his fellows Frenchmen during his last teaching session. His country had lost
districts of Alsace and Lorraine to the Prussians. According to M. Hamel no matter what
injustice is imposed on their language they should tackle all situations and hold on to their
language. As a result German had to be taught in the school. M. Hamel and the villagers
were exceedingly regretful for having neglected the learning of the French language. M.
Hamel blamed the inhabitants of Alsace and Lorraine for their careless attitude for
learning French. He even blamed himself for not teaching the French language seriously,
as he gave holidays to his students when he wanted to enjoy leisure activities such as
fishing and gardening.
•What was the mood in the classroom when M. Hamel gave his last French lesson?
he mood in the classroom during M. Hamel's last French lesson was solemn and
sombre. The announcement of the last lesson evoked patriotic feelings and regret
among the students for neglecting their mother tongue.
• How did Franz react to the declaration of M.Hamel when he said “This is your last French
lesson.” ?
Franz reacted with shock, regret, and sadness to M. Hamel's declaration of the last
French lesson. He realised that he would not be able to read and
speak his own mother tongue and regretted his lack of interest and
carelessness.
• What is `linguistic chauvinism'? Analyse the order from Berlin in this light.
Linguistic chauvinism is inordinate love for one's own language; this love is
so much that one considers one's language to be superior to all the other
languages of the world. The order from Berlin was an example of linguistic
chauvinism. The Germans imposed their language on the people of Alsace
and Lorraine.
Write how M. Hamel proves to be a good teacher.
M. Hamel proves to be an ideal teacher through his dedication, respect for students,
emphasis on cultural identity, and the emotional connection he builds with them. His
actions and attitude demonstrate the qualities that make him a
beloved and respected educator.
Give a character sketch of Franz.
Franz was a very young boy living in Alsace district of France. He had a layman's
attitude to studies. At the beginning we find him feeling tempted to skive his school.
However, we also come to know his inner strength of character when he overcomes that
temptation.
We come to know his patriotism and love for his teacher after he comes to know about
the sad news of the new order according to which teaching of French had to be replaced
with German. He is shocked to know that that was M. Hamel's last lesson.
We see him getting remorseful for having ignored learning French. He wants to learn all
the French in just one period. He is very sad at the departure of his teacher.
• How did Charley make sure that he was not in the present time?
• to make sure that he was not in the present time, Charley did a reality check. He
looked at the newspapers which were on sale at a kiosk and found a copy of the
newspaper ‘The World’, which carried the main story on President Cleveland.
Then he confirmed from the Public Library files that the newspaper he had
seenwas dated 11th June, 1894.
• How did Charley reach the third level of Grand Central? How was it different
from the other levels?
• One night Charley worked till late at office. Then he was in a hurry to get back to his apartment. So he decided to
take the subway from Grand Central. He went down the steps and came to first level. Then he walked down to the
second level from where the suburban trains left. He ducked into an arched doorway that headed to the subway.
Then he lost. Knowing that he was going wrong he continued to walk downward. The tunnel turned a sharp left
and then taking a short flight of stairs he came out on the third level at the Grand Central Station. Here he saw
many unusual things. There were very few ticket at windows and train gates that were old-looking and made of
wood. Dim gaslights flickered and men wore derby hats and four-button suits. It was a rather strange world of
sideburns, beards and fancy moustaches.
What was the Third Level Like? How did Charley know that he had arrived there?
The author had lost the way when he decided to follow the subway from Grand Central.
The author walked through a tunnel that took a left turn and after following few stairs,
he Ninally reached the third level at the Grand Central Station, where he could visualise
many strange things.
What is being inferred from Sam’s letter to Charley? (2003 Delhi)
Answer: Sam’s letter to Charley is dated 18th July, 1894. It is written from Galesburg,
Illinois. In response to Charley’s claim of having visited the third level, Sam who is
equally insecure wishes the entire episode is true, as he too believes in the existence of
the third level. There are some inferences made by the letter. The introductory part of
the letter confirms Charley’s belief in the existence of the third level. It also suggests
that those who find the third level can travel across to Galesburg and enjoy the
festivities, songs, music and peaceful world of the 1890s. So the author uses Sam’s letter
as a unique combination of the real and fantasy world.
Do you think that third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why? (2005;
2008 Delhi)
Answer: The fears, anxieties and insecurities of the modem world are taking a toll on
man’s mind. He feels helpless and frustrated and seeks temporary respite from life’s
harsh realities. Charley too was unable to cope up with his fast paced and stressful life
so his flight to the third level was undoubtedly a medium of escape for him. It is nothing
but the creation of Charley’s own mind. He wants to escape from the modern world’s
insecurity, fear, worries and stress and so seeks an exit, a medium to get away into the
world of dreams and fancies.
How does Charley make his description of the third level very realistic? (2013
Comptt. Delhi)
Answer: To make his description of the third level very realistic, Charley describes its
minute details, vividly comparing it to the second level of the Grand Central station. He
says the rooms here were smaller. There were fewer ticket windows and train gates,
and the information booth was wooden and old-looking. He also gives a detailed
description about the people he saw at the third level and their dresses. He says the
people wore nineteenth century dresses; many men had beards, sideburns and fancy
moustaches. He also buys tickets to Galesburg, Illinois thus making the reader believe
that he was actually at the third level.
