Question

'The Last Lesson' is set in the days of _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _.

• A. The Franco-Prussian War
• B. The French Revolution
• C. The Russian Revolution
• D. The First World War

Hint:

"The Last Lesson" by Alphonse Daudet reflects the impact of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and the loss of French identity in Alsace-Lorraine through the imposition of the German language in schools.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

"The Last Lesson" is a short story written by Alphonse Daudet and first published in 1873. The story is set during the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871).

Historical Context:

1. The War:
France was defeated by Prussia under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck.

2. Treaty of Frankfurt (1871):
As a result of the war, France was compelled to sign the Treaty of Frankfurt.
Under this treaty, the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine were ceded to Prussia.

3. Imposition of German Language:
The new German authorities ordered that German would replace French as the medium of instruction in schools in Alsace and Lorraine.

The story unfolds in a school in Alsace on the day when students and villagers learn that it will be their last French lesson. From the next day onward, German would be taught instead. The narrative poignantly captures the emotional pain associated with the loss of language, identity, and national pride.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

French Revolution (1789–1799): Occurred much earlier and is unrelated to the events described in the story.
Russian Revolution (1917): Took place later and in Russia, not in France or Alsace-Lorraine.
First World War (1914–1918): Occurred after the publication of the story and is not the historical backdrop of the narrative.

Final Answer: The Franco-Prussian War