Question

Analyse how freedom is curbed in the context of Franz in ‘The Last Lesson’ and Saheb in ‘Lost Spring’.

Hint:

Link both stories to the theme of lost childhood and denial of basic rights.

Answer 1

In ‘The Last Lesson’, Franz loses his linguistic freedom when French is banned by the invading Prussians. He realizes too late the value of his language and education. This sudden curbing of rights reflects political domination. In ‘Lost Spring’, Saheb’s freedom is constrained by poverty and child labor. He dreams of education and playing tennis but ends up collecting garbage and working in a tea stall. His circumstances deny him basic rights like education and dignity. Both stories emphasize how children’s freedoms—either educational or economic—are curtailed by forces beyond their control, whether colonial rule or social inequality.