6.1 Franz
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| a typical schoolboy | late, unprepared, tempted to play truant |
| not fond of study at first | prefers birds' eggs and sliding on the Saar |
| honest and self-aware | admits his regret and blames himself |
| sensitive | feels the shock as "a thunder-clap" |
| changed by the day | listens carefully, understands everything, sees books as old friends |
| innocent and imaginative | "Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" |
| patriotic | angry at "the wretches"; moved by "Vive La France!" |
6.2 M. Hamel
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| strict but devoted | the iron ruler; forty years of service |
| kind and forgiving | does not scold Franz on the last day |
| honest | blames himself too — flowers, fishing holidays |
| patriotic | "the most beautiful language in the world"; "Vive La France!" |
| a dedicated teacher | explains with great patience; hears every lesson to the end |
| deeply emotional yet dignified | choked with emotion; dismisses the class with a silent gesture |
6.3 The village elders
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| who | old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster and others |
| why they came | to thank M. Hamel for forty years of service and to show respect for the country that was theirs no more |
| feelings | respect; shame; regret at neglecting education and their language |
| old Hauser | brings his old primer; spells with the babies in a trembling voice |
6.4 Wachter the blacksmith
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| role | reading the bulletin with his apprentice |
| remark | tells Franz not to hurry — he will be in time |
| meaning | Franz thinks he is joking; Wachter knows the news, so there is no hurry any more |