Why were some of the village people, like old Hauser, present in the classroom?

Some village people, like old Hauser, were present in the classroom to pay their respects and witness the final French lesson. They felt a sense of duty to honor M. Hamel, who had dedicated his life to teaching and preserving the French language. Their presence underscores the community’s shared loss and nostalgia for their cultural heritage, as they come together to acknowledge the significance of this moment in history. This gathering serves as a poignant reminder of the deep connections between education, identity, and the impact of external forces on their way of life.