The Last Leaf Summary and Important Questions for class 9th
The Last Leaf by O Henry is a
brilliantly written short story exploring the themes of sacrifice, hope, and
the transformational potential of art. Written by the well-known American
novelist William Sydney Porter, writing under the pen name O. Henry, the story
takes place in the small artistic neighborhood of Greenwich Village, New York,
amid a bohemian environment. The narrative spins a tale of resiliency,
camaraderie, and the lasting effects of unselfish deeds against the backdrop of
a fatal illness and the shadow of impending death.
The Last Leaf Summary
"The Last Leaf" is a
moving short story by William Sydney Porter, aka O. Henry. The story takes
place against the backdrop of a small artistic community in Greenwich Village,
New York. The narrative examines themes of sacrifice, hope, and the resilience
of creativity in the face of hardship.
The Last Leaf Summary and Important Questions-Three main characters are at the
center of the story: Behrman, an elderly painter who lives in the same building
as Johnsy, an ambitious young artist, and Sue, a loyal friend and fellow
artist. The story starts with Johnsy having a severe case of pneumonia. She
declares that she will pass away when the last leaf on the vine outside her
window falls because she is certain she won't be able to recover.
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As Johnsy's health deteriorates,
Sue is deeply concerned for her friend's well-being. To distract Johnsy from
her grim thoughts, Sue engages her in various activities. Despite Sue's
efforts, Johnsy remains fixated on the vine and the falling leaves, viewing
each leaf as a countdown to her own demise.
The Last Leaf Summary and Important Questions-The narrative introduces Behrman,
an eccentric artist with a gruff exterior but a kind heart. He is known for
never having achieved success in his own artistic pursuits. Behrman, however,
cares deeply for Sue and Johnsy. When he learns about Johnsy's conviction that
she will die with the falling of the last leaf, he becomes determined to save
her.
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One night, in the midst of a severe
storm, Behrman braves the weather to create a masterpiece: a painting of a leaf
clinging to the vine outside Johnsy's window. Despite falling ill himself due
to the cold and wet conditions, Behrman completes the painting just before
succumbing to pneumonia.
The Last Leaf Summary and Important Questions-The twist in the story comes when
Sue reveals to Johnsy the truth about the last leaf. She explains that Behrman
sacrificed himself to give Johnsy hope and to save her life. The realization of
Behrman's selfless act profoundly impacts Johnsy, transforming her perspective
on life.
The narrative concludes with Johnsy
recovering from her illness, and the last leaf remaining steadfast on the vine.
The story, while tinged with sorrow, ultimately carries a message of the
enduring power of hope, the selflessness of friendship, and the ability of art
to inspire and uplift even in the face of adversity.
O. Henry's "The Last
Leaf" is celebrated for its emotional depth, thematic richness, and the
unexpected twist that elevates it beyond a simple tale of illness and recovery.
The characters, particularly Behrman, embody the themes of sacrifice and the
indomitable spirit of the human soul. The story's exploration of art as a
source of inspiration and the role of hope in overcoming challenges continues
to resonate with readers across generations.
Characters in The
Last Leaf
1. Johnsy:
Role: Protagonist
Personality: Initially pessimistic,
later transformed
Johnsy is an aspiring young artist
who falls seriously ill with pneumonia. Her character serves as the catalyst
for the unfolding events in the story. Convinced that she will not recover,
Johnsy fixates on the falling leaves of a vine outside her window, seeing them
as an omen of her impending death. As the narrative progresses, Johnsy
undergoes a significant transformation in response to the selfless acts of her
friends.
2. Sue:
Role: Johnsy's friend and fellow
artist
Personality: Devoted, caring
Sue is Johnsy's close friend and
roommate. She plays a central role in the story, attempting to distract Johnsy
from her morbid thoughts and providing emotional support. Sue's character
embodies the themes of friendship and loyalty. She also becomes the bearer of
the story's crucial revelation about the last leaf and Behrman's sacrifice.
3. Behrman:
Role: Elderly artist, neighbor
Personality: Gruff, eccentric,
selfless
Behrman is an aging painter living
in the same building as Johnsy and Sue. Despite his lack of success as an
artist, Behrman cares deeply for the two young women. His character takes a
surprising turn when he learns of Johnsy's belief about the last leaf and
decides to sacrifice himself to give her hope. Behrman's selflessness becomes a
key element of the story's resolution.
The Last Leaf Important
Questions and Answers
1.Who were Sue and Johnsy? Where did they live?
Sue and Johnsy were young artist
friends who were struggling to establish themselves in the world of art. Both
lived in a small flat which was on the third floor of an old house. They shared
this place.
2. Why did Sue become worried when Johnsy fell ill?
Sue became worried because Johnsy
would lie in her bed without moving, just gazing out of the window. Johnsy had
pneumonia and it seemed curable but her condition indicated otherwise.
3. Why was Johnsy’s condition worrisome according to the
doctor?
According to the doctor, Johnsy’s
condition was worrisome because she did not show any signs of improvement
despite good treatment. He thought that perhaps she had lost her will to live
and no medicine could help her in this negative state of mind.
4. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say
so?
Behrman was a 60-year old artist who had a dream to paint a masterpiece. His painting of an ivy leaf was his masterpiece which saved the life of Johnsy. It was such a painting and it was not easy to make out whether the leaf was real or a painted leaf. When Behrman died because of creating this life-saving painting in the cold weather, Sue called it a masterpiece.
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