Chapter 6, O. Henry’s ‘The Last Leaf’ Summary, Theme, Character Sketches, Important Passages, Textbook Questions and Extra Questions.
Chapter 6- ‘The Last Leaf’ O. Henry
Table of Contents
More from Beehive: Class 9- PROSE, Class 9- POETRY
Vocabulary:
Word Meanings and Expressions:
Flat: An apartment or set of rooms on one floor of a building. Gazing: Looking steadily at something with fixed attention. Ivy Creeper: A climbing plant with green leaves. Finality: The quality of being final or settled. Masterpiece: A work of outstanding skill or artistry. Janitor: A person responsible for maintaining or cleaning a building. Lantern: A portable light source. Fierce: Strong and intense. Gloomy: Feeling sad or depressed. Feeble: Weak, mainly due to illness. Clinging: Holding on tightly. Realised: Understood or became aware of something. Made up her mind- Decided firmly about something. Take an interest- To start showing curiosity or enthusiasm for something. Poured out her worries- Expressed her concerns or feelings freely and openly. Clinging to the creeper- Holding onto something for dear life or survival. Lost the will to live- To no longer desire to keep living. Broke down- To lose emotional control, often due to stress or sadness. |
Summary ‘The Last Leaf’:
Sue and Johnsy, two struggling artists, live together. When Johnsy falls ill with pneumonia, she loses her will to live, believing she will die when the last leaf on an ivy vine outside their window falls. Sue, a budding artist, tries to encourage her but fails. Their neighbour, a seasoned painter, Behrman, learns about Johnsy’s belief.
On a stormy night, when the last leaf falls, Behrman secretly paints a realistic leaf on the wall. Seeing the “leaf” still there gives Johnsy hope and strength to recover. Tragically, Behrman dies from pneumonia after painting the masterpiece in the cold storm. The story highlights hope, selflessness, and the power of art in transforming lives.
Theme ‘The Last Leaf’:
Overcoming Despair:
The story by O. Henry explores hope, selflessness, and overcoming depression. Johnsy’s struggle with pneumonia leads her into a deep depression, where she loses the will to live, tying her fate to the falling leaves of an ivy creeper.
Johnsy’s belief that she will die when the last leaf falls starkly reflects how hopelessness can overpower a person’s mind. However, Behrman’s selfless act of painting a realistic leaf during a storm becomes a symbol of hope. This gesture inspires Johnsy to rediscover her desire to live and is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of hope.
The story emphasises that depression can be overcome with kindness, support, and a renewed sense of purpose. It highlights the value of human connection and how small acts of love and support can make a significant difference in overcoming life’s challenges.
Character Sketches:
1. Sue – The Caregiver and Loyal Friend:
i. Description in the text:
- A young artist shares a small flat with Johnsy.
ii. Personality:
- Kind, compassionate, and optimistic.
- Strong and determined to care for her friend.
iii. Role in the Story:
- Supports Johnsy emotionally and physically.
- Encourages and brings hope despite Johnsy’s despair.
iv. Significance:
- Represents friendship and unwavering support in tough times.
- It shows how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
2. Johnsy – The Fragile Dreamer:
i. Description:
- Young, frail, and battling pneumonia.ii
ii. Personality:
- Sensitive and artistic but loses hope due to illness.
- Initially pessimistic and resigned to her fate.
iii. Role in the Story:
- Symbolises the struggle between despair and hope
- Her mental and physical recovery drives the emotional impact of the story.
iv. Significance:
- Demonstrates the connection between mindset and recovery.
- Highlights how hope and care can rekindle the will to live.
3. Behrman – The Selfless Artist:
i. Description:
- Elderly, with a strong, rugged appearance.
ii. Personality:
- Gruff and eccentric but deeply compassionate.
- Dedicated and selfless, willing to sacrifice for others.
iii. Role in the Story:
- Paints the “last leaf” to give Johnsy hope, ultimately sacrificing his life.
- His act becomes the emotional and thematic climax of the story.
iv. Significance:
- Represents ultimate selflessness and the transformative power of art.
- He leaves a legacy as his “masterpiece” saves a life.
Textbook Questions Answers ‘The Last Leaf’:
Talk About It:
Q1: What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
A1: Johnsy has pneumonia, a severe lung infection. At first, the doctor believes that medicine can help her, but he also realises that Johnsy’s will to live is just as important.
Johnsy is very depressed and thinks she will die when the last leaf of an ivy creeper falls. The doctor says that if she doesn’t want to live, no medicine can help her. It shows that having hope and the desire to live is necessary to fight illness.
In the end, Johnsy’s will to live, inspired by the last leaf that didn’t fall, helps her recover. So, both medicine and the willingness to live are important for healing.
Q2: Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers?
A3: Yes, the feeling of depression that Johnsy has can be shared among teenagers. Many teenagers go through difficult times, such as feeling sad and hopeless or thinking things will never improve. Just like Johnsy, they may sometimes lose the will to fight challenges.
Depression in teenagers can be caused by many things like stress, family problems, or feeling lonely. However, talking to someone about these feelings and getting help is important.
In the story, Johnsy’s friend Sue helps her by showing love and support, which allows her to find hope again. Support from friends, family, or professionals is vital in overcoming depression.
Q3: Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
A3: Behrman’s dream is to paint a masterpiece that will be famous and admired by many people. However, he has never been able to create this masterpiece.
Behrman’s dream finally comes true in the story, but not as expected. He paints a realistic leaf on the ivy creeper, which gives Johnsy hope and helps her survive. This leaf becomes his masterpiece because it saves a life. Even though Behrman never created the painting he originally dreamed of, his final act of painting the leaf was his greatest work and selflessly fulfilled his dream.
Q4: What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
A4: Behrman’s masterpiece is the painted leaf on the ivy creeper. He painted it during a stormy night when he knew Johnsy believed she would die when the last leaf fell. Behrman painted the leaf to look real, even though the wind and rain threatened to make it fall. The following day, Johnsy saw the leaf still clinging to the vine, giving her hope to live.
Sue says the painted leaf is Behrman’s masterpiece because his final, selfless act of art saved Johnsy’s life. Even though Behrman never created the famous painting he had always dreamed of, this act of love and sacrifice became his greatest work.
Extra Questions ‘The Last Leaf’:
Short Answer Type Questions:
Q1: What was Johnsy’s belief about the falling leaves, and how did it affect her health?
A1: Johnsy believed she would die when the last leaf on the ivy creeper fell. She thought her life was connected to the leaves. This odd belief made her lose the will to live, which worsened her health, as she stopped eating and showed no interest in recovering.
Q2: How did Sue try to encourage Johnsy to live despite her illness?
A2: Sue tried to encourage Johnsy by distracting her. She painted and whistled to distract Johnsy from her illness. Sue also asked her not to look out the window while she worked, hoping the constant focus on the leaf would help Johnsy regain hope.
Q3: Describe the role Behrman played in Johnsy’s recovery.
A3: Behrman, an elderly artist, played a key role in Johnsy’s recovery by painting a leaf on the creeper. Despite a stormy night, he risked his life to create the illusion of a healthy leaf. The sacrifice gave Johnsy hope and helped her regain the will to live.
Q4: How did Johnsy react when she saw the last leaf still hanging on the creeper?
A4: Johnsy was surprised when she saw the last leaf still hanging on the creeper. She had expected it to fall, as she thought her life was linked to the leaves. The leaf’s strength gave her hope, making her realise she still had a chance to live.
Q5: What was Behrman’s sacrifice, and how did it impact Johnsy’s recovery?
A5: Behrman’s sacrifice was painting a leaf on the creeper during a storm, risking his life to save Johnsy. He caught pneumonia in the process. His action gave Johnsy hope, as she believed the leaf wouldn’t fall. This hope helped her regain the will to live and recover.
Q6: Why did Johnsy believe she would die when the last leaf fell?
A6: Johnsy believed her life was connected to the falling leaves of the ivy creeper. She thought that when the last leaf fell, her life would end, too. This belief made her lose hope, causing her to stop eating and fight less against her illness.
Q7: What did the doctor say about Johnsy’s recovery, and what was his opinion of Behrman?
A7: The doctor was hopeful about Johnsy’s recovery, saying she now had the will to live, which would help her heal. However, he was concerned about Behrman, who had caught pneumonia. The doctor believed there was no hope for Behrman because of his illness and old age.
Q8: How did Sue respond when Johnsy admitted to being a “bad girl”?
A8: Sue responded with kindness and love. She hugged Johnsy and told her not to feel guilty. Sue was happy that Johnsy had changed her mindset and was now willing to fight for her life. She gave Johnsy hot soup to help her get better.
Long Answer Type Questions:
Q1: How does The Last Leaf’s theme of hope and selflessness manifest? OR
Q1: How do the characters of Johnsy and Behrman reflect the significance of hope in overcoming adversity, especially when faced with illness and despair?
A1: The theme of hope and selflessness is central to The Last Leaf. Johnsy loses hope when she believes she will die as the last ivy leaf falls. However, Sue and Behrman’s actions restore her hope.
Sue cares for Johnsy with love and encouragement, reminding her of the value of life. Behrman, an elderly artist, selflessly sacrifices his life by painting a realistic leaf on the wall during a stormy night to give Johnsy hope.
His masterpiece symbolises perseverance and inspires Johnsy to fight her illness. Their selfless acts show how hope can heal even in the darkest times, and the story teaches us that compassion and sacrifice can give strength to those in despair.
Q2: What role does the theme of sacrifice play in the story? OR
Q2: How does Behrman’s sacrifice for Johnsy highlight the importance of personal sacrifice for the well-being of others?
A2: The theme of sacrifice is vital in The Last Leaf. An old artist, Behrman sacrifices his health and life to save Johnsy. When Johnsy loses hope and believes she will die when the last ivy leaf falls, Behrman paints a realistic leaf on the wall during a cold, stormy night.
His selfless act gives Johnsy the hope and will to live. Tragically, Behrman catches pneumonia and dies, showing the depth of his sacrifice. His actions highlight how personal sacrifice can bring hope and healing to others.
The story teaches us the importance of caring for others, even at significant personal costs, and shows how love and selflessness can save lives.
Q3: How do Johnsy’s beliefs about the falling leaves reflect her mental state? OR
Q3: How are Johnsy’s physical illness and belief about the falling leaves connected? What does this reveal about the connection between the mind and the body?
A3: Johnsy’s belief about the falling ivy leaves reflects her hopeless mental state. Suffering from pneumonia, she feels weak and defeated. She connects her life to the ivy vine, believing she will die when the last leaf falls.
This shows how her illness affects not just her body but also her mind. Her negative thoughts make her condition worse, as she gives up the will to live. The story reveals the strong connection between the mind and the body—mental strength and hope can influence physical recovery.
When Johnsy sees the “last leaf” still holding on, it inspires her to fight her illness. This proves that hope and a positive mindset are essential for healing and overcoming challenges.
Q4: How can small acts of kindness and hope impact a person’s will to live, as seen in the story? OR
Q4: How did Sue’s actions and Behrman’s sacrifice help Johnsy regain the will to live? What does this suggest about the power of kindness?
A4: In The Last Leaf, small acts of kindness and hope play a key role in helping Johnsy regain the will to live. Sue, her friend, takes care of her with love and patience. She stays by her side, tries to cheer her up, and comforts her during her illness.
Behrman, the old painter, sacrifices his life by painting a leaf on the wall during a stormy night. His selfless act gives Johnsy hope and strength to fight her illness. These acts of kindness show Johnsy that she is cared for and loved.
The story suggests that even small gestures of kindness can have a significant impact, inspiring hope and helping someone find the strength to overcome despair.
Q5: How does the story’s setting (an old house in autumn) contribute to The Last Leaf’s prevailing perspective and symbolism? OR
Q5: In what ways does the autumn setting, with its imagery of falling leaves, serve as a metaphor for Johnsy’s state of mind and her perception of life and death?
A5: The setting of The Last Leaf, an old house in autumn, creates a gloomy and sombre mood that mirrors Johnsy’s sadness and hopelessness. The falling leaves of the autumn season symbolise the cycle of life and death.
The dying ivy leaves outside Johnsy’s window reflect her fragile mental and physical state, as she believes her life will end when the last leaf falls. The cold, stormy weather adds to the feeling of despair, highlighting Johnsy’s struggle with illness.
However, the painted leaf that survives the storm symbolises hope and resilience. The setting enhances the story’s perspective and metaphorically shows how nature’s cycle and human emotions are deeply connected to life and renewal.
Q6: How does the medical context (pneumonia) influence the story’s progression? OR
Q6: How does Johnsy’s battle with pneumonia add urgency and a sense of realism to the story, especially about her emotional and physical decline?
A6: The medical context of pneumonia adds urgency and realism to The Last Leaf. Pneumonia, a serious illness, threatens Johnsy’s life, making her situation critical. Her physical weakness leads to emotional despair, as she believes she will die when the last ivy leaf falls.
The illness creates tension in the story, as the doctor and Sue fear for her life. It also highlights the importance of hope in recovery—Johnsy’s lack of will to live worsens her condition.
In this context, Behrman’s selfless painting of the leaf becomes even more significant, giving Johnsy the hope she needs to fight her illness. The inclusion of pneumonia makes the story relatable, emphasising the connection between physical health and mental strength.
Q7: What is the significance of the ivy leaf in the story? How does it symbolise the themes of life and death? OR
Q7: What role does the ivy leaf play in Johnsy’s recovery? How does it represent hope and the will to live, contrasting with her previous outlook on death?
A7: The ivy leaf in The Last Leaf holds deep symbolic meaning, representing life, death, and hope. For Johnsy, the falling ivy leaves symbolise her declining health and impending death. She believes her life is tied to the vine, thinking she will die when the last leaf falls.
However, the painted leaf that remains through the storm symbolises resilience and hope. Seeing the leaf still clinging to the vine inspires Johnsy to fight her illness and regain her will to live.
The ivy leaf contrasts her earlier hopelessness and shows how strength and determination can overcome despair. It plays a key role in her recovery, reminding her that life is worth holding on to.
Q8: How does Behrman’s character contribute to the plot’s resolution? OR
Q8: In what ways does Behrman’s action, though tragic, bring about a life-affirming change for Johnsy?
A8: Behrman’s character is central to the resolution of The Last Leaf. He is an old artist who has always dreamed of painting a masterpiece. When he learns of Johnsy’s belief that she will die when the last ivy leaf falls, he decides to help.
On a cold, stormy night, he paints a realistic ivy leaf on the wall after the last real leaf falls. His selfless action gives Johnsy hope and the will to live. Tragically, Behrman catches pneumonia that night and dies.
However, his sacrifice becomes his masterpiece, saving Johnsy’s life. Behrman’s act highlights the power of love and sacrifice, showing how one person’s selflessness can inspire life-affirming change in another.
Important Passages ‘The Last Leaf’:
1. “When the last leaf falls, I will die.”
Context: This is Johnsy’s belief as she lies in her bed, sick with pneumonia. She becomes convinced that she will die when the last leaf of the ivy creeper outside the window falls. The passage reflects Johnsy’s deep depression and loss of hope, which is central to the story.
2. “Behrman, the old artist, had a dream of painting a masterpiece.”
Context: Behrman is a sixty-year-old painter who has dreamed of creating a masterpiece but has never succeeded. This line highlights his lifelong aspiration and establishes the importance of his selfless act when, later in the story, he makes a masterpiece as a painted leaf.
3. “That’s Behrman’s masterpiece. He painted it the night the last leaf fell.”
Context: After Behrman’s death, Sue tells Johnsy that the leaf on the ivy creeper was not real but a painting created by Behrman. The line reveals Behrman’s sacrifice, as he painted the leaf in a storm, risking his life to give Johnsy the hope to live. His painting becomes the symbol of hope and the story’s ultimate twist.
4. “You are not going to die. I can’t draw the curtain for I need the light. I want to finish the painting and get some money for us. Please, my dear friend,” she begged Johnsy, “promise not to look out of the window while I paint.”
Context: Sue tries to keep Johnsy’s mind occupied and away from the falling leaves. She begs Johnsy not to look out of the window so that she can finish her painting and support them financially. It shows Sue’s concern for Johnsy’s well-being and determination to help her friend.
5. “Johnsy now has the will to live. I am confident she’ll recover soon.”
Context: The doctor says this after seeing Johnsy’s improved health. Inspired by the last leaf, her decision to live marks a turning point in her recovery. The passage shows the power of hope and willpower in overcoming illness and depression.
6. “The doctor said ‘Johnsy, it seems, has made up her mind that she is not going to get well. If she doesn’t want to live, medicines will not help her.”
Context: The doctor expresses his concern about Johnsy’s mental state. He believes that Johnsy’s physical illness has worsened because she has lost the will to live. It highlights how depression can affect one’s health and how important mental strength and hope are in recovery. The doctor’s words emphasise the psychological aspect of Johnsy’s condition.
7. “Suddenly Sue heard Johnsy …She was looking out of the window and was saying, ‘Twelve!’ After sometime she whispered ‘eleven’, then ‘ten’, then ‘nine’, ‘eight’, ‘seven’… strong wind outside, the creeper was shedding its leaves.”
Context: The passage reveals Johnsy’s growing obsession with the falling leaves. She counts them individually, believing her life is linked to the ivy leaves. As the leaves fall, she thinks her life is ending. Sue is worried and looks out the window to see the leaves falling in the strong wind, but she knows Johnsy is unaware of how much her condition affects her thoughts. The passage emphasises Johnsy’s depression and how her mind has become fixated on the symbolic fall of the leaves.