The Last Lesson -Question-Answers-Alphonse Daudet-English for Class XII

 Flamingo : The Last Lesson  (Alphonse Daudet) [ Notes Prepared By Shish Pal Chauhan]

Short Answer Type Questions : (Modified in July)

 Q.1 Why was Franz afraid of going to school? OR What dread did little Franz have when he started for school in the morning?         OR what was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?        OR Why did Franz think of spending the day out of school?

Ans.    Franz had not prepared his lesson on participles. So he was afraid of being punished by Mr. Hamel, his teacher. He was expected to learn his homework on the rules of participles.

Q.2     What sights did Franz see on his way to school?

Ans.    He saw that Prussian soldiers were drilling in the open field. He saw a crowd of people reading something from the bulletin board.

Q.3     What things did Franz find tempting to keep him away from school?

Ans.    The morning was bright and warm. Birds were chirping in trees. At some distance, Prussian soldiers were drilling. All these sights were tempting Franz.

Q.4     What usual noise could be heard in the street during school time? What unusual did Franz see on that day?

Ans.    It was about the opening and closing of desks. Lessons could be heard being repeated in a chorus. The sound of Mr. Hamel’s ruler being rapped on the table also could also be heard. . But there was no noise on that day.                       

Q.5     How was Mr. Hamel dressed on that day and why?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel was in his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and black silk cap. It was Mr. Hamel’s last day in school. So he was in his special dress.

Q.6     What was the most surprising thing which Franz saw in his classroom?

Ans.    Some village people were sitting quietly on the backbenches. Among them were the former mayor, the former postmaster, old Hauser, and several others. Each of them looked sad. Old Hauser was sitting with an old primer (a book on alphabets) holding it on his knees.

Q.7 What information did Mr. Hamel give to the children in his class? How did it affect Franz?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel told his students very politely that it would be his last lesson on that day. French would not be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. German would be taught there in the future. A new teacher was coming the next day. The words fell on Franz’s ears like a thunderclap.

Q.8     What were Franz’s feelings when he came to know that it was Mr. Hamel’s last lesson in his school?

Ans.    He was sorry for not learning his lessons. He felt regret for wasting his time in fun and thinking his books were a nuisance. Books were a burden to him some time ago. Now he forgot about Mr. Hamel’s ruler too.

Q.9     Why did the old men of the village come to school?

Ans.    The old men of the village came to school to thank Mr. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. It was their way of showing respect for the country.

Q.10   What did Mr. Hamel say about the French language?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel said that the French language was the most beautiful language in the world. It was the most logical and clearest language. He advised the audience to guard (save) it and never to forget it.

Q.11   What happened when the church clock struck twelve?

Ans.    As the church struck twelve, the sounds of the mid-day prayer were heard. The sounds coming from the trumpets of the Prussian soldiers were also heard. Mr. Hamel felt choked. He took a big piece of chalk and wrote in big letters, ““Vive La France!” (Long live France)!”.

Q.12   What did Mr. Hamel say when Franz failed to recite the rules for participles?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel did not scold Franz for not reciting the rules for participles. He blamed himself, his parents for not caring for his studies. He advised never to put off learning till tomorrow. [Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan]

Q13. What was the importance of the bulletin board? Why had the people gathered there on that day?

Ans. The latest information (almost bad news) like all lost battles, the drafts, the orders of the commanding officer were put on the bulletin board. The people used to read from there about the latest information.

14. How did Franz want to enter the classroom? How did he have to go in and how did he feel?

Ans. Franz wanted to enter the classroom unnoticed. But on that day, everything was so quiet and peaceful, so he had to enter the classroom by opening the door. The class was already full. He felt blushed and frightened.

15. How did M Hamel treat Franz when he reached school late? What did Franz expect?

Ans. M. Hamel treated Franz kindly and asked him to take his seat. He expected harsh treatment from him. But the teacher told him in a polite manner to occupy his seat quickly. Franz jumped over the bench and sat down on his seat.

Q16. As the teacher began to speak, “My children, this is the last lesson…”, the words sounded like a thunderclap to Franz. Why?

Ans. The teacher said that it was his last lesson on that day. The words fell on his ears like a thunderclap. He was in a tizzy (in utter confusion). He could not understand what would be his future.

Long Answer covering several points [Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan]

A General Question

 Ans. Franz had not learned the rules about participles. So he did not want to go to school that day. He was also afraid of Mr. Hamel’s terrible iron ruler. But he reached school late. There was dead silence in the school. M. Hamel was also polite with him. He was in his special dress.

The village elderly people were also sitting on the backbenches. He could not understand all that. Then Mr. Hamel said that it was his last lesson in the French language. He advised them to keep it alive. Then he talked about the French language. He also spoke about the parents’ carelessness about their children. After that Mr. Hamel delivered his last lesson. Even Franz listened to his teacher very patiently. His outlook on books changed. Then the church bells struck twelve. Mr. Hamel felt choked. He could only write “Vive La France!” (Long Live France)!”

Some more Long Answer-Type Qs

Long Answer-type Question: Word-limit: 100-120)

Q1. What changes did the narrator find in school when the orders from Berlin came?

Ans. A lot of change occurred after the orders had reached Berlin. There was no noise in the school. The class was on and the teacher was there. A few elderly men of the village had also occupied the last benches. M. Hamel, the teacher was silent and in a somber (sad) mood. He wore his special dress that day. The teacher did not scold Franz for entering the class late. He was polite with him. Franz felt shocked to know about his last lesson. The books seemed dear to him all of a sudden. He listened to the teacher with full attention. He felt sorry for the teacher in his heart of hearts. The village elders had come to pay respect to M. Hamel for his forty years of service to the nation.

Q2. What did the teacher say about the general tendency of people about tasks and what did he say about Franz’s parents and himself?

Ans. The teacher talked about the general tendency of people. Students usually put off (postpone) the work for the next day. They think that they have a lot of time. But that habit is devastating (dangerous). That is the reason why they were unable to speak and write their mother tongue properly. He blamed Franz’s parents for not being serious about his studies. He also blames himself for making them busy in other work and giving them holiday. In this way, the teacher not only blames the people in general, but he blames himself also for being negligent (careless) towards their duty.

(Notes made by Shish Pal Chauhan: My YouTube Channel: Shish Pal Chauhan Yamuna Nagar)

Q3. Franz’s attitude towards school and M. Hamel changes when he comes to know about the takeover of his village by Prussian soldiers. Do you agree? Discuss with reference to ‘The Last Lesson’?

Ans. Yes, we agree that Franz’s attitude towards school and M. Hamel is totally changed. Franz’s attitude changes towards his school now. He feels guilty about being careless for his lessons. His attitude towards Mr. Hamel is also changed now. He used to think his teacher to be a crank. But now he has full respect for him. The books on grammar and history were a burden for him. But now, they are no more burden for him.    On the last day, he listened to the lecture very attentively. He was able to understand everything.     Thus we see that Franz undergoes changes in his attitude towards school and M. Hamel.

Very Very Short Answer-type Qs

Q.1     Who is Alphonse Daudet?

Ans.    He is a French novelist and short-story writer.

Q.2     Who is the writer of ‘The Last Lesson’?

Ans.    Alphonse Daudet

Q.3     Why was the narrator late for school?

Ans.    He was afraid of M. Hamel’s scolding.

Q.4     Why was the narrator afraid of M. Hamel’s scolding?

Ans.    He did not know the rules about participles.

Q.5     What were the Prussian soldiers doing?

Ans.    They were drilling.

Q.6     Where were they drilling?

Ans.    In the open field at the back of the sawmill.

Q.7     What did Franz see near the Town Hall?

Ans.    He saw a crowd in front of the bulletin board.

Q.8     What is the name of the blacksmith?

Ans.    Wachter

Q.9     On reaching near his school, what unusual thing did Franz notice about it?

Ans.    There was silence.

Q.10   What did he see through the window?

Ans.    He saw his classmates in their seats and Mr. Hamel was walking up and down with his iron ruler.

Q.11   How did Franz feel while opening the door of his class and entering?

Ans.    He was blushed and frightened.

Q.12   What special thing did Franz see about M. Hamel’s dress?

Ans.    M. Hamel had put on his special dress- his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt, the little black silk cap.

Q.13   On what occasion did M. Hamel usually wear his special dress?

Ans.    He wore it on inspection and prize days.

Q.14   What was the thing that surprised Franz most?

Ans.    He saw village people sitting quietly on the backbenches of his class.

Q.15   Who were the main among the villagers sitting in the class?

Ans.    They were old Hauser, the former mayor, and the former postmaster.

Q.16   What was old Hauser wearing?

Ans.    He was wearing his three-cornered hat.

Q.17   How did they look?

Ans.    They looked sad.

Q.18   What did the old Hauser bring with him?

Ans.    An old primer (alphabet book).

Q.19. In what manner did M. Hamel begin his last lesson?

Ans.    In a grave and gentle tone.

Q.20   What were the orders from Berlin?

Ans.    Only the German language would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.

Q.21   What words of M. Hamel were thunderclap for Franz?

Ans.    “The new master comes tomorrow. This is your last French lesson ......”

Q.22   What made Franz forget all about M. Hamel’s ruler?

Ans.    The idea that he was going away made Franz forget all about M. Hamel’s ruler.

Q.23   Why had the old men of the village come to school?

Ans.    They had come to thank M. Hamel for his forty years of service.

Q.24   What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

Ans     He said it was the most beautiful language in the world- the clearest, the most logical.

Q.25   What advice did he give to the class and people?

Ans.    He advised them to guard and never forget it.

Q.26   Why did Hamel’s lecture seem so easy to Franz?

Ans.    On that day, he listened to the lecture very carefully.

Q.27   How was M. Hamel sitting in the class whenever Franz saw him?

Ans.    He was sitting motionless and gazing at one thing or the other.

Q.28   What time did the church clock strike?

Ans.    It struck twelve.

Q.29   What was heard as the clock struck twelve?

Ans.    The trumpets of the Prussians, returning from the drill were heard.

Q.30   How did M. Hamel look as he stood up from his chair?

Ans.    He looked pale.

Q.31   What did M. Hamel write on the blackboard?

Ans.    He wrote “Vive La France!”

Q.32   What was Wachter doing?

Ans.    He was reading the bulletin.

Q.33   Who was along with Wachter?

Ans.    His apprentice.

Q.34   What was M. Hamel doing in the class as Franz saw him from the window?

Ans.    He was walking up and down the class with his iron ruler.

Q.34 What did “Vive La France!” mean?

Ans. It meant “Long live France”.

Lost Spring-Anees Jung-Questions-Answers-From Lost Childhood-Class XII English

 2. Lost Spring (Anees Jung)

Q.1    What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?

Ans.  Saheb is a ragpicker like many of his companions. Sometimes he finds a rupee or a ten-rupee note. He lives in the Seemapuri area of Delhi. His family came to India from Bangladesh in 1971. Searching garbage dumps for valuable things is a wonderful job for him.

Q.2    What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?

Ans.  The author says that the rag-pickers do not wear shoes. To remain without shoes has become a tradition for them, But she also thinks that it might be an excuse to hide their poverty.

Q.3    Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? Explain.

Ans.  Saheb is not happy working at a tea stall. Previously he was master of his own job. Now his master is somebody else. It became a burden for him.

Q.4    Where did the author see Saheb one morning? Why was he there?

Ans.  One morning Saheb was standing near the gate of a club. He was watching two young men playing tennis. They were dressed in white. Saheb also liked to play tennis. But he was not content(satisfied) to see them from a distance.

Q.5    What does the author say about the tennis shoes that Saheb was wearing.

Ans.  One day Saheb was in tennis shoes. Those were discarded(thrown) by a rich boy. There was a hole in one of them. To wear tennis shoes was Saheb’s dream come true. But to play tennis was still out of his reach.

Q.6    Describe the people living in Seemapuri.

Ans.  The people living in Seemapuri are very poor. They are about 10,000 in number. They are rag-pickers. They have no basic facility of life. Their houses are mud-built with roofs of tin or tarpaulin. Food is more important to them than identity.

Q.7    What is the importance of garbage for the people living in Seemapuri.

Ans.  Garbage is a gold mine for the people living in Seemapuri. They earn their bread from it. They search for valuable things in the garbage. They get money by selling them. Garbage has been the source of their livelihood.

Q.8    What does the writer, Anees Jung, tell Saheb to do? How does she realise her mistake?

Ans.  One morning the writer, Anees Jung, asks Saheb as to why he does not go to a school. Saheb says that there is no school in his neighbourhood, At this, she promises him to build a school for him. A few days later, Saheb reminds her about the promise she had made. She realises her mistake felt small in front of him.

Long Questions-Answer

Q.1    How does Anees Jung describe the life of Seemapuri ragpickers?

Ans.  Seemapuri ragpickers live a life of hell. They cannot dream of living a normal life. They came from Bangladesh in 1971. Since then, they are living in Seemapuri. Their houses are of mud, with roofs of tin or tarpaulin. They have no basic facility of sewage, drainage and running water. They are about 10,000. They are all rag pickers. Garbage is gold mine for them. Their children help them in rag-pickers. They are unable to go to school because of poverty. Food is more important to them than anything else. Garbage is the only source of their livelihood. As identity cards, they have only ration cards. They can buy grains with their help of them.

Q.2    What does the writer Anees Jung, want Saheb to do? How he makes her feel embarrassed (ashamed)?

Ans.  The writer sees rag pickers every morning. Saheb is one of them. One morning she asks him why he does rag-picking. He replies that he has no other work to do. Then she advises him to go to a school. At this, Saheb replies that there is no school in his area. The writer promises him to open a school. She also tells him to join her school then. A few days pass away. One day Saheb meets the writer. He asks her if her school is ready. She replies that it takes time to build a school but, at the same time, the writer feels embarrassed (ashamed). She should not have made a false promise to Saheb.

.                              Lost Spring by Anees Jung (Part 2)

 Short-answer type Questions

(Notes made by Shish Pal Chauhan: My YouTube Channel: Shish Pal Chauhan Yamuna Nagar)

 Q1. Who was Mukesh? What was his dream?

Ans. Mukesh was also one among thousands of boys, who are engaged in the odd work of making bangles. His dream was to come out of the vicious circle of poverty. He wanted to become a garage mechanic. For this, he would go on foot to reach the garage to get his traing.     

 Q2. What makes the city of Firozabad famous? (Lesson 2: Lost Spring)

The city of Firozabad is famous for the production of bangles of various colours. This odd job is done by so many poor families engaged in this work. About 20,000 children are also engaged in this work.

Q3. What is the condition of the children working in the glass bangles factories of Firozabad?                                                                        

  Or What are the hazards of working in the glass bangles industries of Firozabad? (Important)

Ans. The glass bangles industries of Firozabad do not provide good human conditions for the thousands of its workers. They have to work in small rooms which have no ventilation for fresh air and light to come there. Actually, the workers have put their eyes in danger while working in these dark places with the light of furnaces only.

Q4. Describe the locality where Mukesh lives?

Ans. The locality in which Mukesh lives is not a Healthy place to live in. The streets are narrow and one can notice heaps of garbage lying there. The domestic animals and human beings love in those streets emit a foul smell. The huts they live in have no windows and the doors are about to fall anytime.

Q5. What does the author say about the girls and boys working in dark hutments?

Ans. In the dark huts, small boys and girls sit near the flickering oil lamps. They weld the pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes are more adjusted to the darkness rather than the light of the day. That is the reason why they lose their eyesight before reaching adulthood.

Q6. Who is Savita? What is she doing? What does the writer wonder about her?

Ans. Savita is a young girl, who is sitting near an elderly woman. She is in pink dress and soldering pieces of glass. The writer wonders if she knows about the sanctity of bangles that she is helping in.

Q7. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream? How is his attitude different from his parents'?  Or Is it possible for Mukesh to realize his dream? Justify your answer. (Important) (2009)

Ans. The author noticed a spark of hope in Mukesh’s eyes. He was determined to break the lineage of his forefathers by becoming a garage mechanic. It is possible for him to realise his dream because all hurdles are removed if the person is determined. He would walk the long distance to reach the garage. His parents believe in destiny, which they think cannot be changed.

Some More Important Short Answer Type Questions :

Q.1    Who is Mukesh? What is his aim?

Ans.  Mukesh is the son of a bangle-maker. He also makes bangles. The spring (childhood) of his life is also lost. He does not go to school. His aim is to become a motor mechanic. He wants to become his own master.

Q.2    What is the condition of children working in the glass furnace of Firozabad?

Ans.  The condition of children there is very bad. They have to work in unbearable heat. The rooms are very small and without air and light. It badly affects their eyes and health.

Q.3    What kind of locality does Mukesh live in?

Ans.  He lives in a dirty locality. The streets are narrow, full of garbage. A foul smell comes all the time. The walls and doors of the houses are about to crumble (fall down). There is no window. Even animals also live with human beings.

Q.4    Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

Ans.  The workers of this industry have to work in unhealthy conditions. They work near hot furnaces. The rooms are very small. There are without air and light. The workers lose the brightness of their eyes at an early age. The powder falling while polishing bangles is very harmful to their eyes.

Q.5    What does the writer say about boys and girls working in dark hutments?

Ans.  These boys and girls also live in the same conditions in which their parents are living. They weld pieces of glass into bangles. The hutments are without proper light and fresh air. Such unhealthy conditions badly affect their eyes and health.

Q.6    Who are the people responsible to keep the bangle-makers in constant poverty?

Ans.  The bangle-maker of Firozabad are victims of a conspiracy ‘Sahukars’, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians are responsible for the poverty of these people. They do not let these people come out of poverty - the vicious (evil) circle.

Q.7    How is Mukesh’s attitude different from that of his family?

Ans.  The members of Mukesh’s family believe in fate. His grandmother believes that poverty is because of their ‘Karma’. They have accepted it as inevitable (unavoidable). But Mukesh thinks differently. He wants to become a motor mechanic - the master of himself. The writer had seen a ray of hope in his eyes.

Long Q/Ans.  (“I want to drive a car”)

Q.1    Describe the life of families engaged in making bangles in Ferozabad.

Ans.  Many families in Ferozabad are engaged in making bangles. These families have been doing this job for many years. They work near furnaces. They weld glass and make bangles. Women of different parts of India wear them. About 20,000 children work near these hot furnaces. They endanger their eyes while doing their work. The bangle-makers of Ferozabad are very poor. They live in inhuman conditions. The streets are very narrow. There are full of garbage. The walls and doors of their houses are in crumbling (about to fall) condition. Mukesh’s family also lives in the same area. They are the victims of middlemen, police, and politicians.

Q.2    What did the writer see when Mukesh took him to his home?

Ans.  The condition of that area was very bad. The streets were full of garbage. Those were full of foul smells. The houses were in crumbling condition. The walls and doors were about to fall down. There were no windows. Families of humans and animals lived together in those little houses. Some houses had thatched roofs. Mukesh’s house was a half-built shack (like a shed). There was a firewood stove (hearth). A big vessel was placed on it. A young and weak woman was cooking the evening meal. She was Mukesh’s elder brother’s wife. She is the ‘Bahu’ of the house. She had to cover her face with a veil on her face in front of the elder male members. It was a custom, Mukesh’s father was a poor person. He wanted to repair the house. He also wanted to send his two sons to school. But he failed to do so. Mukesh’s grandfather had become blind due to the dust of the bangles. His grandmother thought it was her ‘Karma’.

The Myth of Rama-Sita and Ravna in Kanthapura

 The Myth of Rama-Sita and Ravna in Kanthapura

 Ans. The novel Kanthapura really revolves around the myth of Rama-Sita and Ravana. The Ramayana was narrated by the great Sage Valmiki long ago. In the same way, there is a narrator, Achakka, in Kanthapura also, though not a great Sage, but the grandmother of the village Kanthapura.

She compares Gandhiji with lord Rama and India with Sita. Achakka, the narrator says that as Sita was overpowered by the chief of Evil, Ravana, so was the mother India overpowered by the British. The people of India had been made slaves by the British.

The miserable condition of the labourers working at the Skeffington Coffee Estate is the living example of miniature size. One can guess easily how the people of India were being treated under the foreign rule in India at that time. Lord Rama collected the ‘Vanara-sena’ (the army of the monkeys) and attacked Ravana, the king of Lanka (now Sri Lanka), defeated and killed him. Thus Sita was liberated by Rama from Ravana’s slavery.

Here in this novel, we have the same parallels of the events. The novelist, Raja Rao, projects Mahatma Gandhi to lead the people of India to fight against the  British rule in India. In Ramayana, it was Rama, who fought a decisive fight against Ravana. In Kanthapura, the novelist showed Gandhiji a mighty (powerful) hero to defeat the Evil forces to achieve freedom for mother India. He used his powerful weapons of ‘ahimsa, satyagraha and non-violence.

The war between Rama and Ravana had resulted in the deaths of many people. Women were made widows, mothers lost their sons and sisters lost their brothers. Numerous people were injured. In the same way, the freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi resulted in the deaths of many people in Kanthapura and in the rest of the country as well. The people of Kanthapura were arrested, tortured, and lathi-charged by the police.

 Moorthy as a follower of Gandhiji leads the struggle for freedom in Kanthapura. First, he had to struggle hard to unite the people of Kanthapura. He had to go from one door to the other to spread Gandhiji’s ideas among the people of Kanthapura. Rama had with him his mighty warriors like Lakshmana, Sugriva, and  Hanuman. In the same way, though at a very small scale, Moorthy also had his faithful friends with him. He formed the Congress Panchayat Committee with Pariah Ranganna, Range Gowda, and Seenu. Seenu did his selfless service to him as Veer Hanuman did to Lord Rama.

The people of Kanthapura fought against the British forces as Vanaras fought with the Ravana’s forces in Sri Lanka. Mahatma Gandhi’s trip to England has also been equalized to the one taken by Lord Rama to Sri Lanka to liberate Sita from Ravana’s control.

Gandhiji also went to England to attend the second Round Table Conference. Achakka said that Mahatma would go to the ‘Redman's country’ to get swaraj for the people of India. She gives more detail in the novel, that has parallels to the incidents that occurred in the Ramayana.

Thus, we may conclude that Kanathapura revolves around the myths of Rama-Sita and Ravana.