In 'The Last Lesson', by Alphonse Daudet, the student in the story was initially described as an unserious student who did not really pay attention in class. He was distracted by play and a lot of other inconsequential things. The teacher was also described at the onset as a strict instructor who chided his students when they failed at something.
On learning that French will no longer be taught in schools, the teacher was overcome with so much guilt as much as the student who blamed himself for not taking his studies seriously. The teacher regretted sending the student on holidays when he wanted to go fishing while the student regretted not putting in more efforts to study and learn French.
