Mr. Hamel, in "The Last Lesson" by Alphonse Daudet, was emotional while teaching his last French lesson for several reasons:

• Realization of Loss:

  He realized that this was the last time he would teach his native language in Alsace because the invading Prussian forces had ordered that only German be taught in schools.

• Sense of Regret:

  He felt a deep regret that neither he nor his students had taken their French lessons seriously enough. He lamented the lost opportunities to cherish and preserve their language and culture.

• Patriotism and Love for French:

  Mr. Hamel had a profound love for the French language, considering it the most beautiful, clearest, and logical language in the world. The order to discontinue teaching it was a significant blow to his patriotism.

• Farewell to His Students and School:

  This lesson marked his farewell to the students he had taught for forty years and to the school that had been his life. Saying goodbye to such a long chapter of his life naturally evoked strong emotions.

• The Weight of Occupation:

  The atmosphere in the classroom was heavy with the weight of the Prussian occupation. The villagers, including old Hauser, attended the class to show their respect and regret for not having learned French properly, adding to the emotional intensity.

These factors combined to make Mr. Hamel's last lesson a deeply emotional experience for both him and his students.