OPTIMISM: A STUDY OF THE LAST LEAF

1. THE LAST LEAF
-O.HENRY
TOPIC
OPTIMISM;A STUDY OF THE LAST LEAF
Presented By: Zamda Abdallah

2. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
• William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910),was an American
short story writer, son of Dr. Algernon Sidney Porter (1825–88), a physician, and Mary Jane
Virginia Swaim Porter (1833–65).
• known by his pen name O. Henry which he presented himself in early years of
his career. He was a famous writer of short stories which frequently have
witticism, clever wordplay, and unexpected twist endings.
• O. Henry's prolific writing period began in 1902 in New York City, where he wrote 381 short
stories. He wrote one story a week for The New York World Sunday Magazine for over a
year. Some of his best and least known work is contained in Cabbages and Kings, “The Last
Leaf”, "The Gift of the Magi" , "The Ransom of Red Chief“ and "The Cop and the Anthem“
• Most of O. Henry's stories were set in his own time, the early 20th century. Many take
place in New York City and deal for the most part with ordinary people: policemen,
waitresses, etc.
• Unfortunately, by 1908 due to heavy drinking O.Henry’s health deteriorated and his writing
dropped off accordingly. He died in 1910 of cirrhosis of the liver, complications of diabetes,
and an enlarged heart. The funeral was held in New York City, but he was buried in North
Carolina.
• In memory of his legacy O. Henry Award was made. It is a prestigious annual prize named
after Porter and given to outstanding short stories. In Later years movies also were created
using his writings: "The Last Leaf", "The Ransom of Red Chief" (starring Fred
Allen and Oscar Levant)

3. Briefing -The Last Leaf
• ‘The last leaf’ consists of four human characters; JOHNSY, SUE, DOCTOR
and BEHRMAN, and a non-living character Mr. Pneumonia.
• Johnsy and Sue are roommates and artists. Johnsy falls ill and she bounds
herself with such a fancy that she will die with the falling of last ivy leaf.
But Sue, the very optimist, consults the painter, Behrman, to paint an ivy
leaf against the wall. Behrman paints such a leaf which is clinging to its
stem against the wall. At last, Johnsy recovers her health. But Behrman
dies of pneumonia in the hospital.
• The last leaf is the central point of the story, narrating a tale of a
masterpiece leaf drawn by Behrman that saves Johnsy’s life and coveys a
message of courage hope and optimism.

4. OPTIMISM;A STUDY OF THE LAST LEAF
• Optimism refers to a mental attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome
of some specific thing, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and
desirable.
• It is looking at a more favorable side of events and simply anticipating the best
possible outcome in any situation.
• The system of this universe is based on two opposite things i.e. day and
night, black and white, good and bad, hope and frustration etc.
• ‘The Last Leaf’ is very symbolic story which conveys the theme of
Pessimism and Optimism.
• Pessimism deals with the dark aspects of life. i.e the negative
• Optimism is totally against pessimism, it deals with the positive ways of
life.
• It also can be said that optimism and pessimism are the two sides of a
single coin.
• Johnsy always leads her life as a pessimist. Sue consoles Johnsy and
consults a painter(Behrman) leading him to paint the fancy of Johnsy’s
leaf as a way to bring optimism mindset in her way.
• “When the last one falls I must go, too.” –Johnsy

5. RELEVANCE OF OPTIMISIM
O. HENRY’S ‘LAST LEAF’ VS OUR PREVAILING LIFE
• Optimism is a key to success. It gives meaning to our lives, allowing one to have
an optimistic outlook on life, lets a person gain confidence. It makes one live life in
a way he pleases.O.Henry has succeeded in highlighting its importance in our lives.
• The BBC website published a report 2008 ,that was titled Optimistic women ‘live
longer’. The report was based on a research carried out by a group of US scientists
who studied 100,000 women. It was deduce that pessimists had higher blood
pressure and cholesterol; optimistic women had a 9% lower risk of developing
heart disease and a 14% lower risk of dying from any cause after more than eight
years of follow-up.
• The BBC report however didn’t target women only, the subject of optimism affects
every individual going/living through life’s struggles each day. A positive outlook
towards life and pass difficulties thrown our way, sets your mood for the day. It
promotes positive relationships, it doesn’t give any room for self denial, it enables
us to generate an alternative, and brings more hopeful explanation for various
difficulties experienced.
• For problems of life leading to as stress, sickness and frustration optimism gives
you peace of mind and improves our physiological and psychological well being.
Pessimism however is a major source of frustration and despair which sometimes
shorten our lives.

6. 11 THINGS TO-DO FOR A POSITIVE OUTLOOK TOWARDS LIFE
• I’d like to share 11 of the best, smartest and most effective habits for doing so that I
have learned during over more than a decade.
• I hope you will find something helpful in these two slides;
1. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
• It’s very easy to lose perspective, especially if you are stressed and you are going too
fast.
 My remedy: -Say stop. In your mind, simply shout “STOP!” or “NOPE, to the thoughts.
- Breathe. After you have disrupted the thoughts by shouting stop sit down
and just be still. Breathe with your belly and focus on just your in-breaths and out-
breaths for a minute or two to calm your mind and body down.
- Refocus. Pray, Question your mountain building thoughts by talking to
someone close to you and getting a more grounded perspective .In anxiety give yourself
pep talks; You are alive, you are smart, you are strong, you can handle it! this too will
pass! you can fix this! you can find a way out of it!
2. Don’t let vague fears hold you back from doing what you want.
Sometimes you may want to take a chance in life. Start a new habit that feels unfamiliar,
your own business on the side or ask someone out for a date. I have learned to ask
myself this: honestly, what is the worst that could happen? spend a bit of time on
trying to figure out what I could do if that that often pretty unlikely thing happens.

7. Cont…
3. Find the optimistic viewpoint in a negative situation.(NOW am not saying throw caution
to the wind!)
4. Cultivate and live in a positive environment.(STAY CLEAR OF NEGATIVE PEOPLE!)
5. Go slowly. Think slow(carefully) and fast.
6. Add value and positivity to someone else’s life. Anything random, helping out,
just listen, Boost the mood.(Smile. Give hugs when appropriate. Play uplifting music)
7. Exercise regularly and eat and sleep well.
8. Learn to take criticism in a healthy way. Don’t reply right away. When you are angry,
upset or riled up take time to calm down a bit before you reply. Take at least a couple
of deep breaths or a little time to process the message before you respond,
understand that its not always about you. Then, reply or LET GO.
9. If something still gets under your skin then know what to do: Do Talk about it with
someone , answers can be closer than you think ;)
10. Start your day in a positive way: Pray, Listen or dance to music you like at random, talk
to your favorite people, smile
11.Remember NO ONE’S LIFE IS EVER PERFECT! The universe gives you just enough tests
for you to handle

8. Analysis
• ‘The Last Leaf’ is the true depiction of O. Henry’s writing traits: skillful plot
and twist ending.
• In the story a reader cannot expect such a heroic act from Mr. Behrman
,sacrificing his life to show the masterpiece leaf he painted with passion
to save a life. The courage and determination to make an art not to prove
himself but to help others proves that life is something to enjoy and fight
for.
• In ‘The Last leaf’ O. Henry used his artistic and unique style of writing to
bring home the idea that a person, no matter, how hopeless he/she is, can
become a symbol of hope and courage to others.
• Hence, ‘The Last Leaf’, the story of passion, hope and personal sacrifice,
inculcates the spirit of selfless sacrifice and optimism in its readers.

9. Reference

10. THANK
YOU!!