Question

Answer the following question in 40-50 words:

What does the contrasting imagery of the church clock and the Prussian trumpets represent, in ‘The Last Lesson’?

Answer 1

In "The Last Lesson," the contrasting imagery of the church clock and the Prussian trumpets symbolizes the conflict between peace and oppression. The church clock, a symbol of routine and stability, reflects the town’s traditional way of life. In contrast, the Prussian trumpets, signaling the loss of freedom, represent the arrival of foreign rule and the end of the townspeople's connection to their language and heritage. This contrast highlights the sudden disruption of normal life by the forces of war and occupation.