Analyse how Frédéric’s attitude changes from the beginning to the end of ‘The Last Lesson’.
Answer
At the start, Frédéric is careless and indifferent, arriving late and mocking the lesson; by the end, he feels deep remorse, appreciates the value of his language, and is moved to tears, showing a complete transformation from apathy to patriotic pride.
Step-by-step solution
- Read the story to note Frédéric’s behavior at the opening – he is late, dismissive, and joking about the lesson.
- Identify the turning point when he learns that French will be banned and sees M. Hamel’s emotional appeal.
- Observe his emotional reaction – guilt, tears, and a newfound respect for the language.
- Compare the initial indifferent attitude with the final remorseful and patriotic feeling.
- Summarise the change, linking it to the theme of awakening national consciousness.
Common mistake: Mentioning only the teacher’s emotions and overlooking Frédéric’s internal transformation.
Concept tested: Character development of Frédéric
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