2. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen
name O. Henry, was an American short story writer.
His stories are known for their surprise endings.
3. THEME
Friendship and Sacrifice
The main theme of this story is selflessness and
sacrifice. When Behrman finds out that Johnsy is
convinced that she will die once the last ivy leaf falls,
Behrman selflessly gets out in the rain and snow in
the middle of the night to paint an ivy leaf on the brick
wall. It talks about the supreme sacrifice made by an
artist for the sake of his art and humanity.
4. MESSAGE
The chief message that this story gives is the
spirit of sacrifice we need to have in our life. The
old artist, Behrman sacrificed his life so that
Johnsy could live. In this process, he also
achieved his ambition of painting a masterpiece.
The other message is that we should have a
positive attitude in life.
5. THE IRONY IN THE STORY
In an ironic reversal of fates, the story ends with
the revelation that Behrman contracted
pneumonia during the night he painted the
ivy leaf on the brick wall to fool Johnsy. The
situation is ironic, because Behrman unwittingly
sacrifices his own life in order to save Johnsy's.
6. CENTRAL IDEA
The power of hope is the main idea of O.
Henry's "The Last Leaf." Hope is what threads
through this moving story of the love that one
young lady from New York has for another from
California, along with the love from one grumpy
little old man. The power of the hope that these
characters hold onto throughout the story is
poignant.
7. SUMMARY
The Story ‘The Last Leaf’ by O Henry is a
beautiful story depicting the virtue of human
sacrifice and love. This story is about Sue,
Johnsy, and Mr. Behrman; Sue and Johnsy live in
an apartment in Greenwich Village, a favorite
place for aspiring painters to live at. Sue and
Johnsy had met at a restaurant and became
soul-mate friends.
8. In the winter pneumonia epidemic affected
many people in that area; Johnsy also fell prey
to it. Her condition became worse with each
passing day. The doctor confided to Sue one day
that Johnsy was losing hope and desire to get
well under the painful influence of the disease.
She began to harbour a belief that she would die
the moment the last leaf fell from the ivy
climber on the wall opposite her window. She
also shares her belief with her friend, Sue.
9. Sue discusses it with Mr. Behrman, an extremely talented
painter living in obscurity in their neighborhood. Mr.
Behrman decided to save Johnsy’s life. He believed in the
power of hope. One night when it was extremely cold and
raining, he painted a leaf on the ivy climber in such a
manner that it looked like a real leaf. When Johnsy saw
that the last leaf on the ivy climber on the opposite wall
had not fallen, she was somehow filled with the desire to
heal and get well. This desire helped her recuperate fast.
And she recovered.
However, Mr. Behrman who had worked in the cold, was
affected by pneumonia and died. Thus he laid his life to
save Johnsy’s life.
10. CHARACTER SKETCH
SUE
Sue is devoted to her friend and roommate Johnsy who is very
ill at this time. Sue talks openly with Johnsy about her fears of
losing Johnsy to her illness. Sue also talks openly with Old
Behrman about Johnsy, in a conversation that leads to
the climax of the story, She tells him that Jhonsy was very ill
and weak and that the fever had left her mind morbid and full
of strange fancies. At times, Sue seems mature and
independent, while at other times, she seems young and
naive. Sue doesn't believe that the influence of a man could
affect Johnsy's recovery like the doctor suggests. Sue's
character reflects values of love, sacrifice, hope and strength.
11. JHONSY
Johnsy’s character in the story ‘Last Leaf’ by O. Henry is
quite interesting. She is Sue’s friend and lives with her in
an apartment in Greenwich Village. She falls ill suffering
from pneumonia and gradually loses the will to live. She
harbours a belief that she will die the moment the last
leaf falls from the ivy climber on the wall opposite her
window. She also shares her belief with her friend Sue,
who confides it to Mr. Behrman. However, he paints an
ivy leaf on the wall, which looks real. When Johnsy sees
the last leaf has not fallen, she is healed with power of
self-belief and love for life.
12. Mr BEHRMAN
Behrman was an old painter. He had a lifelong dream to paint
a Masterpiece but he could not succeed in this regard. He
lived on the ground floor in the same building where sue and
Johnsi lived .
When Sue informed him about Johnsy's condition, he visited
Johnsy . Johnsy was sleeping at that time. He noticed the only
leaf on the creeper. He did not say anything and went to his
room. He was a kind person. He painted the leaf in the Icy
cold night. It was raining heavily and his cloth and shoes got
wet. He was shivering with cold that night and sacrificed his
life to save Johnsy's life. His character reveals human values of
selflessness and self-sacrifice.
13. ASSIGNMENTS
a. Answer in 40-50 words
i. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her,
medicines or the willingness to live? Explain
ii. Do you think the feeling of depression that
Johnsy has is common amongst teenagers?
14. b. Answer in 1-120 words
i. The Last Leaf is the story of supreme sacrifice
made by an artist. Comment.
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