The Last Lesson

This is a story of change seen through the eyes of a child. In 1870 when Prussian forces under Otto van Bismark attacked and captured parts of France. The historically French districts of Alsace and Lorraine were governed by the Prussians. The new Prussian rulers discontinued the teaching of French in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The story describes the day when the new rules came into effect and depicts the stoicism of one teacher as he deals with losing part of his identity.