Character Sketch of "The Last Lesson"

"The Last Lesson" is a short story by Alphonse Daudet that portrays the emotions of a young boy, Franz, who is attending his final French lesson. The story highlights the relationship between the teacher and the students, the importance of education, and the impact of political movements on individuals.

Franz
Franz is the protagonist of the story, who is a young boy that loves to play and have fun with his friends. He is not fond of studying, and he usually gets punished for not doing his homework. However, his love for his mother and his teacher, M. Hamel, makes him attend his last French lesson. Franz is emotional and sensitive, and he regrets not paying attention to his studies earlier.

M. Hamel
M. Hamel is Franz's French teacher, who is retiring after teaching for forty years. He is very passionate about his work, and he loves his students. M. Hamel is a symbol of French culture and language, and he represents the importance of education in a person's life. He is portrayed as a strict teacher, but at the same time, he is kind and empathetic towards his students.

The Students
The students in the story are portrayed as a group of young children who are not interested in studying. They are playful and mischievous, and they do not take their studies seriously. However, they show respect towards M. Hamel and attend their last French lesson with a heavy heart.

The Mayor
The mayor is a symbol of the political movement that is taking place in the story. He represents the German occupation of France and the suppression of French culture and language. The mayor's announcement that German would be the new language of instruction in the schools adds a layer of tension to the story.

In conclusion, "The Last Lesson" is a poignant story that highlights the importance of education and the impact of political movements on individuals. The characters in the story are well-developed and realistic, and they evoke empathy and emotions in the reader.