Question

"We have all a great deal to reproach ourselves with."comment

Answer 1

This line is from the chapter, ‘The Last Lesson’, by Alphonse Daudet. This line he speaks to his fellow Frenchmen during his last teaching session. His country had lost districts of Alsace and Lorraine to the Prussians. As a result German had to be taught in the schools now.

M. Hamel and the villagers were exceedingly regretful for having neglected the learning of the French language.  M Hamel blamed the inhabitants of Alsace and Lorraine for their lackadaisical attitude to learning French. He even blamed himself for not teaching the French language seriously, as he gave holidays to his students when he wanted to enjoy leisure activities such as fishing and gardening.