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Question
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
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Solution 1
The order from Berlin brought all the routine hustle-bustle of the school life to a stand-still. The teacher, M. Hamel, became more sympathetic to his students and taught his lessons with more patience. The students became more attentive in their classes. The villagers, who were sitting at the usually empty back benches and had come to show their respect and gratitude to M. Hamel, regretted not going to school more than they did. The order also brought about a great change in the feelings of the people towards their country and their native language. There was a general sadness about not being able to utilise the opportunities of learning French when it was easily accessible.
Solution 2
The order from Berlin said that only German must be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. As a result, M. Hamel told the pupils that it was to be their last French lesson and that a new (German) master would come the next day. The class became very solemn (villagers sat in the back, the teacher put on his Sunday clothes). M. Hamel gave a final, emotional lesson, wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard, and then dismissed the school.
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| Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to understand better, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table. But now it was all so still! I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course, that day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm. I had to open the door and go in before everybody. You can imagine how I blushed and how frightened I was. |
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