The last class: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The last class: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The last class is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Banks, Richard.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Last Class" by Richard Banks is a thought-provoking science fiction story written in the early 1960s. The narrative unfolds in a future society where individualism and emotional connections have been replaced by a sterile conformity, with a focus on a dedicated teacher named Miss Hippiness. The central topic reflects on the contrasts between the vibrancy and chaos of the 20th century and the current monotony of her world, emphasizing the loss of essential human experiences and the mind-numbing control of technology. The story revolves around Miss Hippiness, who attempts to imbue her young students with a sense of wonder about the past, sharing tales of gangsters, individual freedom, and authentic experiences that no longer exist in her present day. As she passionately recounts stories, she faces her own existential crisis when she learns of her impending disintegration due to her subversive teachings. In a poignant climax, she realizes that her connection with her students—even if one is an android—represents a final flicker of the humanity she longs to preserve. Ultimately, the narrative serves as a commentary on the importance of individual experience and memory in the face of oppressive uniformity, concluding with Miss Hippiness’ emotional yet resigned acceptance of her fate alongside her cherished pupil.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The last class
- Author credits: Banks, Richard
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Dystopias -- Fiction
- School children -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Teachers -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.



