The Last Lesson

The school was unusually quiet, M. Hamel was wearing his fine Sunday clothes, Village people were sitting on back benches

Franz noticed three main unusual things: the school was 'all so still' unlike the usual 'great bustle', M. Hamel was wearing his 'beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and little black silk cap' which he only wore on special occasions, and the back benches had village people including old Hauser, the former mayor, and former postmaster.

Regret and appreciation for what he had taken for granted

Franz feels immediate regret, thinking 'Oh, how sorry I was for not learning my lessons' and suddenly his books 'were old friends now that I couldn't give up.' He appreciates M. Hamel differently and regrets his previous attitude towards learning.

Vive la France!

At the very end, M. Hamel 'turned to the blackboard, took a piece of chalk, and, bearing on with all his might, he wrote as large as he could — "Vive la France!"' This was his final patriotic gesture.

Importance of language and cultural identity, Regret and lost opportunities, Patriotism and love for one's country

The story explores the importance of language as cultural identity (M. Hamel says language is 'the key to their prison'), regret for not valuing education (Franz's realization), and patriotism (the final 'Vive la France!' and respect for French culture).