The Last Leaf by O. Henry
The Last Leaf by O. Henry
About the Author: O. Henry
O. Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter, was an American short story writer known for his wit, wordplay, and clever twist endings. Born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina, O. Henry wrote over 600 short stories during his lifetime. His stories often depict the lives of ordinary people, and he is particularly famous for his tales set in New York City, where he lived for many years. Some of his most famous works include The Gift of the Magi, The Ransom of Red Chief, and The Last Leaf. O. Henry's stories are characterized by their surprise endings and his ability to capture the essence of human nature.
Summary of The Last Leaf by O. Henry
The Last Leaf is a poignant short story set in Greenwich Village, New York, during the 1890s. The story revolves around two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, who share a studio apartment in an old brick building. The narrative explores themes of hope, sacrifice, and the power of art, culminating in a touching and unexpected twist.
Introduction and Setting
The story begins by introducing Sue and Johnsy, two aspiring artists who meet in a restaurant in Greenwich Village. Sue is from Maine, and Johnsy is from California, but both share a passion for art. They move into a studio apartment together, where they live and work. The story takes place in December, during a harsh winter in New York City. Many people in the city fall ill with pneumonia, and Johnsy becomes one of its victims.
Johnsy's Illness and Despair
Johnsy becomes severely ill with pneumonia and loses her will to live. She lies in bed, staring out the window at an old ivy vine growing on the brick wall of the neighboring building. As the leaves on the vine fall one by one, Johnsy becomes convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls. She counts the remaining leaves, believing that her life is tied to the fate of the last leaf. Her despair deepens, and she tells Sue, "When the last one falls, I must go too."
Sue's Efforts to Help Johnsy
Sue, deeply worried about her friend, tries to lift Johnsy's spirits. She sings happy songs, draws pictures for magazines, and even brings Johnsy soup, but nothing seems to help. The doctor tells Sue that Johnsy's condition is critical, not just because of her illness but because she has lost the will to live. The doctor suggests that someone must give Johnsy a reason to fight for her life.
Behrman's Role
Sue seeks help from Behrman, an elderly artist who lives downstairs. Behrman is a gruff, failed artist who has always dreamed of painting a masterpiece but has never succeeded. When Sue tells him about Johnsy's obsession with the falling leaves, Behrman is initially dismissive, calling Johnsy foolish for believing that an old vine could determine her fate. However, he cares deeply for the two young artists and agrees to pose as a model for Sue's drawing.
The Storm and the Last Leaf
That night, a fierce storm hits the city, with heavy rain and strong winds. The next morning, Johnsy asks Sue to open the window shade, expecting to see that the last leaf has fallen. To her surprise, the last leaf is still clinging to the vine, despite the storm. Johnsy is deeply moved by the leaf's resilience and begins to regain her will to live. She tells Sue, "I've been a very foolish girl. I wanted to die. But the last leaf has stayed on the vine. It has taught me a lesson." She asks for soup, signaling her renewed desire to live.
Behrman's Sacrifice
Later, the doctor visits and informs Sue that Johnsy is recovering. However, he also shares the news that Behrman has fallen ill with pneumonia and has been taken to the hospital. The next day, Sue learns that Behrman has died. She discovers that on the night of the storm, Behrman had gone out in the cold and rain to paint a leaf on the wall, replicating the last leaf on the vine. His act of painting the leaf, which he considered his masterpiece, saved Johnsy's life but cost him his own. Behrman's shoes and clothes were found wet and cold, and a ladder, lamp, and paintbrushes were discovered outside, revealing what he had done.
Conclusion
The story ends with Sue revealing to Johnsy that the last leaf was actually Behrman's masterpiece. The leaf, which had given Johnsy the strength to fight for her life, was not a natural phenomenon but a painting created by Behrman in a selfless act of love and sacrifice. Behrman's final masterpiece was not just a painting but a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.
MCQs with Answers
Where did Sue and Johnsy meet?
a) California
b) Maine
c) Greenwich Village
d) Italy
Answer: c) Greenwich Village
What illness did Johnsy suffer from?
a) Flu
b) Pneumonia
c) Cold
d) Fever
Answer: b) Pneumonia
What did Johnsy want to paint?
a) The Bay of Naples
b) The Eiffel Tower
c) The Statue of Liberty
d) The Grand Canyon
Answer: a) The Bay of Naples
What was Johnsy counting?
a) Stars
b) Leaves on a vine
c) Birds
d) People passing by
Answer: b) Leaves on a vine
Who was Behrman?
a) A doctor
b) A neighbor
c) An artist
d) A chef
Answer: c) An artist
What did Behrman want to paint?
a) A landscape
b) A portrait
c) A masterpiece
d) A still life
Answer: c) A masterpiece
What happened to the last leaf on the vine?
a) It fell
b) It stayed on the vine
c) It turned brown
d) It was eaten by a bird
Answer: b) It stayed on the vine
What did the last leaf teach Johnsy?
a) To give up
b) To fight for her life
c) To paint better
d) To move to Italy
Answer: b) To fight for her life
What did Behrman do during the storm?
a) He painted the last leaf
b) He went to the hospital
c) He slept
d) He cooked soup
Answer: a) He painted the last leaf
What happened to Behrman at the end of the story?
a) He recovered
b) He died
c) He moved to Italy
d) He became famous
Answer: b) He died
What was the weather like during the storm?
a) Sunny
b) Rainy and windy
c) Snowy
d) Foggy
Answer: b) Rainy and windy
What did Sue do to help Johnsy?
a) She painted a picture
b) She cooked soup
c) She sang a happy song
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What did the doctor say about Johnsy's condition?
a) She was getting better
b) She was very sad
c) She needed surgery
d) She was going to die
Answer: b) She was very sad
What did Behrman use to paint the last leaf?
a) A brush and paint
b) A pencil
c) A crayon
d) A marker
Answer: a) A brush and paint
What was Behrman's masterpiece?
a) A painting of the Bay of Naples
b) A painting of the last leaf
c) A painting of Sue
d) A painting of Johnsy
Answer: b) A painting of the last leaf
Broad Answer Type Question
1. The Significance of the Last Leaf in the Story
The last leaf in O. Henry's The Last Leaf is a powerful symbol that carries deep thematic significance. It represents hope, resilience, and the will to live, and it plays a crucial role in the emotional and psychological transformation of the characters, particularly Johnsy. The leaf becomes a central metaphor for the human spirit's ability to endure even in the face of despair and adversity.
At the beginning of the story, Johnsy, who is suffering from pneumonia, has lost her will to live. She becomes fixated on the leaves falling from an old vine outside her window, believing that her life is tied to the fate of the last leaf. She tells Sue, "When the last one falls, I must go too." This belief reflects her deep despair and resignation to death. The falling leaves symbolize the passage of time and the inevitability of death, and Johnsy's fixation on them shows how she has given up hope.
However, the last leaf does not fall. Despite the harsh weather conditions—strong winds and heavy rain—the leaf remains on the vine, defying Johnsy's expectations. This unexpected resilience of the leaf becomes a turning point in the story. When Johnsy sees that the last leaf is still there, she begins to regain her will to live. She realizes that if the leaf can withstand the storm, so can she. The leaf becomes a symbol of hope and strength, teaching Johnsy that life is worth fighting for, even in the darkest moments.
The significance of the last leaf is further deepened when it is revealed that the leaf was actually painted by Behrman, an old artist who lives downstairs. Behrman, who has always dreamed of creating a masterpiece, sacrifices his life to paint the leaf during the storm. His act of painting the leaf is not just an artistic achievement but also an act of profound love and selflessness. The leaf, which appears to be a natural phenomenon, is actually a human creation, symbolizing the power of art and human compassion to inspire and heal.
In this way, the last leaf serves multiple symbolic purposes in the story. It represents the fragility of life, the power of hope, and the resilience of the human spirit. It also highlights the transformative power of art and the importance of human connection. Behrman's masterpiece is not just a painting; it is a life-saving act that gives Johnsy the strength to recover. The leaf, therefore, becomes a symbol of the interconnectedness of life, art, and human relationships.
In conclusion, the last leaf in The Last Leaf is a multifaceted symbol that encapsulates the story's central themes of hope, resilience, and the power of art. It serves as a catalyst for Johnsy's emotional and psychological recovery and stands as a testament to Behrman's love and sacrifice. Through the last leaf, O. Henry conveys a profound message about the importance of holding on to hope, even in the face of despair, and the enduring impact of selfless acts of kindness.
2. How Behrman's Character Contributes to the Story's Theme
Behrman's character is central to the development of the story's themes, particularly those of sacrifice, the power of art, and the transformative impact of selfless acts. Through his actions and ultimate sacrifice, Behrman embodies the idea that true artistry and humanity lie in the ability to inspire and save others, even at great personal cost.
1. Sacrifice and Selflessness
Behrman's most significant contribution to the story is his ultimate act of sacrifice. Throughout the narrative, Behrman is portrayed as a failed artist who has spent his life dreaming of painting a masterpiece but has never achieved it. However, when he learns of Johnsy's despair and her belief that she will die when the last leaf falls, he takes it upon himself to change her fate. On the night of the storm, Behrman goes out in the cold and rain to paint a leaf on the wall, knowing that this act might save Johnsy's life. This selfless act costs him his life, as he contracts pneumonia and dies shortly after. Behrman's sacrifice underscores the theme that true greatness is not measured by fame or success but by the impact one has on others' lives. His willingness to give up his life for Johnsy's sake highlights the depth of his compassion and the nobility of his character.
2. The Power of Art
Behrman's character also contributes to the theme of the power of art. Throughout his life, Behrman has struggled as an artist, never achieving the recognition or success he desired. However, in his final act, he creates a masterpiece—not in the traditional sense of a grand painting displayed in a gallery, but in the form of a single leaf painted on a wall. This leaf, though simple, has a profound impact: it saves Johnsy's life by restoring her will to live. Behrman's masterpiece demonstrates that art is not just about aesthetics or technical skill but about the emotional and psychological impact it can have on others. Through his final act, Behrman shows that art has the power to heal, inspire, and transform lives.
3. Hope and Resilience
Behrman's actions also reinforce the themes of hope and resilience. By painting the last leaf, Behrman gives Johnsy a reason to hope and fight for her life. The leaf, which remains on the vine despite the storm, becomes a symbol of resilience and the enduring human spirit. Behrman's act of creating this symbol of hope shows that even in the darkest moments, there is always a possibility for renewal and recovery. His character teaches that hope can be found in unexpected places and that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact.
4. The Interconnectedness of Human Lives
Finally, Behrman's character highlights the theme of the interconnectedness of human lives. Although he is initially portrayed as a grumpy, failed artist, Behrman's deep care for Sue and Johnsy becomes evident as the story progresses. His final act of painting the leaf is not just an artistic endeavor but a deeply human one, driven by his love for the two young women. Behrman's sacrifice shows how individual lives are intertwined and how one person's actions can have a lasting impact on others. His character reminds us that we are all connected and that our actions, no matter how small, can make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Behrman's character is essential to the development of the story's themes. Through his sacrifice, he demonstrates the power of selflessness and the transformative impact of art. His actions give Johnsy the hope and strength she needs to recover, reinforcing the themes of resilience and the interconnectedness of human lives. Behrman's final masterpiece, the last leaf, is not just a painting but a symbol of love, hope, and the enduring human spirit. Through Behrman, O. Henry conveys a powerful message about the importance of compassion, the value of art, and the profound impact that one individual can have on the lives of others.
In the 1890s, many artists lived in
Greenwich Village, in New York City. Sue and Johnsy were artists. The two girls
met each other in the month of May, at a restaurant in Greenwich Village. ‘I’m
from the State of Maine,’ Sue said to Johnsy. ‘I draw pictures for stories in
magazines.’ ‘I’m from California,’ Johnsy said to Sue. ‘But I want to go to
Italy. I want to paint a picture of the Bay of Naples!’ The two girls talked
happily for an hour – about art, about clothes, about food. Soon after their
first meeting, Sue and Johnsy moved into a studio apartment together. Their
rooms were at the top of an old brick house in reenwich Village. In December,
it was very cold in New York. Snow fell and there was ice in the ground. Many
people in the city became ill. The illness was called pneumonia. The doctors
tried to help the sick people, but many of them died. That month, Johnsy had
pneumonia. She was very ill. She lay in her bed and she did not move. A doctor
visited her every day. But Johnsy was not getting better.
One morning, the doctor spoke quietly to
Sue outside Johnsy’s room. ‘I can’t help her,’ the doctor said. ‘She is very
sad. She doesn’t want to live. Someone must make her happy again. What is she
interested in?’ ‘She’s an artist,’ Sue replied. ‘She wants to paint a picture
of the Bay of Naples.’ ‘Painting!’ said the doctor. ‘That won’t help her!’ The
doctor left the apartment. Sue went into her own room and she cried quietly for
a few minutes. Then she picked up her drawing board and some pencils. She
started to sing a happy song and walked into Johnsy’s room. Johnsy lay silently
in her bed. Her face was thin and white. She was looking towards the window.
‘Johnsy is asleep,’ Sue thought. She
stopped singing and she sat down in a corner of the room. Then she started to
draw a picture for a magazine. Suddenly, Sue heard a quiet sound. She went
quickly to the side of the bed. Johnsy’s eyes were open. She was looking out of
the window and she was speaking quietly.
‘Twelve,’ Johnsy said. A little later,
she said ‘eleven’. Then she said ‘ten’. Then ‘nine’. And then she said ‘eight’
and ‘seven’ almost together. She was counting backwards. What was Johnsy
looking at? What was she counting? Sue looked out of the window. Outside the
window, Sue saw the brick wall of the next house. An old vine grew against the
wall. There were very few leaves on its branches. ‘Six,’ Johnsy said. ‘They’re
falling faster. Three days ago, there was almost a hundred. Ah, there goes
another! There
are only five now.’ ‘Five? What are you
talking about, Johnsy?’ Sue asked. ‘Please tell me.’ ‘There are only five
leaves on the vine now,’ said Johnsy. ‘The last leaf will fall soon and then
I’ll die. Didn’t the doctor tell you about the leaves?’ ‘Don’t say that! You’re
not going to die!’ Sue said. ‘You’re going to get better. The doctor told me
that this morning. I’ll bring you some soup and I’ll draw my picture. The
magazine will pay me quickly. Then I’ll buy us some nice food.’ Johnsy was
still looking at the vine. ‘There are only four leaves now,’ she said. ‘I don’t
want any soup. The last leaf will fall soon.’
‘Johnsy, dear,’ Sue said. ‘Please close
your eyes and go to sleep. I have to finish this drawing by tomorrow. And I don’t
want you to look at those leaves anymore.’ Johnsy closed her eyes. ‘But I want
to watch the last leaf,’ she said again. ‘It will fall soon. The leaves are
tired. I’m tired too. I want to die.’
‘Please try to sleep,’ Sue said. ‘I’m
going to talk to Behrman for a minute. I must have a model for my drawing. Behrman
will be my model.’ Old Behrman lived downstairs. He was also an artist, but he
had never painted a good picture. He was sad about this and he was angry about
it too. ‘One day, I will paint a wonderful picture,’ Behrman often said. ‘One
day, I will paint a masterpiece.’ But he had never painted a masterpiece. And
he was more than sixty years old. Sue found the little old man in his dark
room. She told him about Johnsy and the vine leaves.
Oh, the foolish girl!’ Behrman shouted.
‘An old vine can’t kill people!’ ‘But the vine is killing her,’ said Sue.
‘She’s very ill and weak. She sees the vine dying. Now she wants to die too.’
Behrman was angry, but he loved the two young artists very much. ‘Ah, little
Miss Johnsy,’ he said quietly. ‘She’s too good for this place. One day, I will
paint a masterpiece. Then we will all go to Italy. We will go to Naples. Yes!
But today, I’ll be your model.’
Together, they went upstairs. Johnsy was
sleeping. Sue pulled the shade down over her friend’s bedroom window. Then she
took Behrman into her own room. They both looked at the vine. Cold rain was
falling. ‘Soon there will be snow,’ Sue thought. Behrman sat down and Sue
started to draw a picture of him.
That night, there was a storm. The rain
fell heavily and the wind was very strong. Johnsy woke early the next morning.
‘Pull up the shade,’ she said to Sue. Sue pulled up the shade. There was still
one leaf on the vine! The leaf was dark green and yellow. And it hung from a
branch twenty feet above the ground. ‘That’s the last leaf,’ said Johnsy. ‘It
will fall today. I’ll die at the same time.’ Sue put her face close to her
friend’s face. ‘Don’t say that, Johnsy,’ she said quietly. ‘I don’t want you to
die.’ Johnsy did not answer.
The leaf stayed on the vine all day. That
night, there was more wind and rain. In the morning, Johnsy woke early again.
‘Pull up the shade,’ she said. The leaf was still on the vine. Johnsy lay in
her bed and she looked at it for a long time. Then she called to Sue. ‘I’ve
been a very foolish girl, Sue,’ she said. ‘I wanted to die. But the last leaf
has stayed on the vine. It has taught me a lesson. Please, bring me a bowl of
soup now.’ An hour later, Johnsy spoke again. Sue, my dear,’ she said. ‘One
day, I’m going to paint a picture of the Bay of Naples!
The doctor visited the girls in the
afternoon. He looked at Johnsy carefully and he held Sue’s thin hand.
‘Take good care of your friend,’ he
said. ‘She is going to get well. Now I have to go downstairs. I have to visit
Mr Behrman. He has pneumonia too. I must send him to the hospital.’
The next day, the doctor spoke to Sue
again. ‘Your friend will soon be well,’ he said. Then he told her some other
news. That afternoon, Sue went into Johnsy’s room and she put her arm around
her friend’s shoulders. ‘Mr. Behrman died this morning, in the hospital,’ she
said. ‘Two days ago, one of the neighbours found him in his bedroom. Behrman
was very ill. His shoes and clothes were cold and wet. The neighbour sent for
the doctor. Later, the neighbour found a ladder outside in the yard. There was
a lamp next to it. And there were brushes, and some yellow and green paint.’
‘Johnsy, look out of the window,’ Sue said quietly. ‘Look at the last leaf on
the vine. It’s still there. It has never moved in the wind. Didn’t that
surprise you? It’s Behrman’s masterpiece, dear. He painted it on the night of
the storm.’
Difficult Words and Their Meanings
| Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Marathi |
|---|---|---|
| Pneumonia | A serious illness affecting the lungs | न्यूमोनिया (फुफ्फुसाचा आजार) |
| Vine | A climbing plant that produces grapes | द्राक्षेची वेल |
| Masterpiece | A work of outstanding artistry or skill | कलाकृती, उत्कृष्ट काम |
| Studio apartment | A small apartment with a single main room | स्टुडिओ अपार्टमेंट (एकच मोठा खोली) |
| Shade | A covering that reduces or blocks light | पडदा, छाया |
| Ladder | A piece of equipment used for climbing | शिडी |
| Branch | A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk | फांदी |
| Neighbour | A person living next door or nearby | शेजारी |
| Storm | A violent disturbance of the atmosphere | वादळ |
| Model | A person who poses for an artist | मॉडेल (चित्रकारासाठी पोझ देणारा व्यक्ती) |
| Weak | Lacking physical strength | कमकुवत |
| Foolish | Lacking good sense or judgment | मूर्ख |
| Surprise | An unexpected event | आश्चर्य |
| Lesson | Something learned through experience | धडा |
| Care | The provision of what is necessary for health | काळजी |
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