Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean?
Answer:
Franz is disheartened when he comes to know that he can no longer learn his language – French. Their district has been captured by Germany and now German will be taught to them. Franz feels that mother tongue comes to a person naturally, he is born with it and no one can snatch it away.
Just like the pigeons make the ‘coo’ sound, irrespective of the country from which they are, similarly, human beings also communicate in their mother tongue. As the Germans are trying to impose their language on the French, so similarly, Franz feels that they will teach the pigeons also to ‘coo’ in German language. He has given this example to highlight his point that language is a natural mode of communication and it cannot be imposed.
Check out more Questions and Answers from The Last Lesson
What was the order from Berlin and what changes did it cause in the school?
What was the news which was put up on the bulletin board?
What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean?
Why did the village elders occupy the back benches of M Hamel’s classroom that day?
How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and the school change?