By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- Explain the historical background of the story — the Franco-Prussian War and the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine.
- Recall and sequence the events of Franz's morning.
- Describe what was different at school that day, and explain why.
- Analyse the characters of Franz and M. Hamel, and the role of the village elders.
- Explain key lines in context — "What a thunder-clap", "the key to their prison", "Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?", "Vive La France!"
- Discuss the themes of language, identity, patriotism, regret and procrastination.
- Answer ICSE extract-based questions with reference to context and a reasoned personal response.