M. Hamel's Unsatisfying School Teacher

In the year of 1870, Franz, a borderline illiterate school child notices something different about his teacher. The generally scrutinizing school teacher M. Hamel, is teaching his final lesson in France, looking for refuge from the invading Prussia. The normally angry and unsatisfying school teacher shows Franz that his failure of his class is not exactly his fault and Franz should be proud of what he was able to learn. He decides not to scrutinize Franz but instead to make his day. M. Hamel changes in the eyes of Franz because of his unusual kindness.

From the start of the story one can see the apprehension and enmity from Franz toward his French teacher Hamel. Franz is constantly afraid of M. Hamel scolding ways and his iron, harrowing, tormenting ruler. M. Hamel created his distaste and fear for him throughout the year and built on it like jenga blocks. When Franz is late for class and nervous for the notorious scolding and swing and smack of the ruler to be his punishment of tardiness he opines on page one-hundred eleven, "Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler." (Daudet 111). After Franz enters the class and …show more content…
Hamel was escaping the country, looking for refuge from the Prussians, and had changed in the eyes of Franz. M. Hamel was almost a different person. As he narrated on page one-hundred thirteen, "I won't scold you little Franz; you must feel bad enough." (Daudet 113). Hamel then continues to say. "...And I? I've been to blame also. Have I not sent you to water my flowers instead of learning your lessons? And when I wanted to go fishing, did I not just give you a holiday?" (Daudet 113). This happened when Franz messed up on his reading aloud to the class. He became fearful of his mistake and fearful of a ruler to the wrist. Franz said even though he made some mistakes that it was the best class he has ever had. M. Hamel was being kind, he was being...