"The Last Leaf": A Tale of Hope and Artistic Sacrifice

Introduction: Welcome to the web page dedicated to the heartwarming short story "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry. This poignant narrative unfolds in a colony for struggling artists, where the lives of two friends, Sue and Joanna, take an unexpected turn during a harsh winter.

Synopsis: "The Last Leaf" revolves around Joanna's battle with pneumonia and the unique emotional connection she forms with the falling leaves outside her window. As Joanna's health deteriorates, a mysterious artist named Behrman becomes a pivotal figure in the story, bringing an element of sacrifice and hope.

Key Themes:

1. Hope and Resilience: Explore how Joanna's belief in the connection between her life and the falling leaves reflects the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.

2. Art as a Source of Healing: Delve into the role of art in the story, examining Behrman's sacrificial act of creating a masterpiece that becomes a symbol of hope for Joanna.

3. Friendship and Support: Uncover the theme of friendship between Sue, Joanna, and Behrman, emphasizing the importance of emotional support during challenging times.

Character Analysis:

1. Joanna: Understand the impact of Joanna's illness on her emotional state and her unique perspective on life and death.

2. Sue: Explore Sue's role as a supportive friend, caretaker, and the bearer of crucial information that leads to a surprising resolution.

3. Behrman: Examine Behrman's character, a failed artist whose final act becomes a masterpiece, contributing to the uplifting resolution of the story.

Symbolism and Imagery: Uncover the symbolism behind the last leaf on the ivy vine, analyzing its significance in relation to Joanna's recovery and Behrman's artistic sacrifice.

Impact and Reflection: Share personal reflections on moments of kindness or sacrifice you have witnessed and how they relate to the themes in "The Last Leaf."

Discussion Forum: Engage in discussions with other readers about the story's themes, characters, and the impact of acts of kindness and sacrifice.

Conclusion: "The Last Leaf" web page provides an immersive exploration of O. Henry's timeless tale, celebrating the themes of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of art and friendship. Join us in unraveling the layers of this touching narrative that continues to resonate with readers worldwide.

Summary

"The Last Leaf" by O. Henry is a poignant tale set in a colony for struggling artists, focusing on the lives of two friends, Sue and Joanna. During a harsh winter, many in the colony fall victim to pneumonia, including Joanna. Her condition worsens, leading her to lose the will to live. Joanna becomes fixated on the falling leaves outside her window, counting them backward and believing that her life is linked to the last leaf on an ivy vine.

Sue, Joanna's friend and caretaker, becomes increasingly concerned about Joanna's mental state and seeks help from Behrman, an old painter in the colony. Behrman, despite being a failed artist, cares deeply for Sue and Joanna. In a selfless act of sacrifice, Behrman paints a leaf on the ivy vine during a stormy night, creating a masterpiece that becomes a symbol of hope for Joanna.

To everyone's surprise, the painted leaf withstands the storm, and Joanna, upon seeing it, experiences a renewed sense of hope. The doctor later confirms that Joanna is out of danger and on the path to recovery. However, Sue discovers that Behrman, in his act of creating the masterpiece, succumbed to pneumonia and died.

"The Last Leaf" explores themes of hope, resilience, the transformative power of art, and the profound impact of selfless acts of kindness and sacrifice. The story highlights the interconnectedness of life, art, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

Choose the correct answer to complete these sentences.

1 Jonna saw ___________outside the window.

a.  a blank brick wall

b.  a creeper with a few leaves

c.  steady rain and snow

2. Sue did not want Joanna to count the leaves because_________.

a. it would be a strain for her as she had fever.

b. Joanna associated the falling of the leaves with her life.

c she wanted her to sleep.

3. Sue went to see Behrman because ______________.

a' she wanted him to be the model for her painting.

b. she wanted him to talk to Joanna.

c. she wanted to talk to him about Joanna.

4. Joanna became well because

a. the last leaf never fell from the vine and that gave her hope.

b. of the medicines prescribed by the doctor.

c. Sue gave her nourishing food.

5. Behrman died because____________.

a. he was an old man.

c. he did not get the right medical help.

b. he spent the night painting the leaf in the cold.

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ANSWERS

A. Choose the correct answer to complete these sentences.

1. Jonna saw ___________outside the window.

Correct answer: b. a creeper with a few leaves

2. Sue did not want Joanna to count the leaves because_________.

Correct answer: b. Joanna associated the falling of the leaves with her life.

3. Sue went to see Behrman because ______________.

Correct answer: c. she wanted to talk to him about Joanna.

4. Joanna became well because

Correct answer: a. the last leaf never fell from the vine, and that gave her hope.

5. Behrman died because____________.

Correct answer: b. he spent the night painting the leaf in the cold.

B. Read these lines from the text and answer the questions.

1. They're falling faster now. Three days ago, there were almost a hundred.

a. Who said this to whom?

b. What does she refer to as they'?

c. What state was the speaker in? Why was she in such a state?

2 I have something to tell you, dear.

a. Who said this to whom?

b. About whom did the speaker tell her friend?

c. What did the speaker tell her friend?

..............................................................................................................

B. Read these lines from the text and answer the questions.

1. "They're falling faster now. Three days ago, there were almost a hundred."

a. Who said this to whom?

Answer: Joanna said this to Sue.

b. What does she refer to as 'they'?

Answer: She is referring to the leaves on the ivy vine.

c. What state was the speaker in? Why was she in such a state?

Answer: Joanna was in a weak and deteriorating state due to pneumonia. She was counting the falling leaves, believing that her life was connected to the last leaf on the vine.

2. "I have something to tell you, dear."

a. Who said this to whom?

Answer: Sue said this to Joanna.

b. About whom did the speaker tell her friend?

Answer: Sue told Joanna about Behrman's death.

c. What did the speaker tell her friend?

Answer: Sue shared the news of Behrman's death in the hospital.

C. Answer in detail.

1. How did Joanna's physical condition completely shatter her from within?

2. What is Behrman's masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?

....................................................

C. Answer in detail.

1. How did Joanna's physical condition completely shatter her from within?

Answer: Joanna's physical condition deteriorated to the point where she lost the will to live. She associated her life with the falling leaves on the ivy vine outside the window. As the leaves fell, she counted them backward, and when only one leaf remained, she believed that her time to die had come. This anticipation and connection to the falling leaves created a psychological and emotional struggle within Joanna, affecting her overall well-being.

2. What is Behrman's masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?

Answer: Behrman's masterpiece is the last leaf on the ivy vine that he painted on a stormy night. Sue realizes it when she sees the lone ivy leaf still clinging to the wall despite the harsh weather. Behrman, in an act of selfless sacrifice, painted the leaf to give Joanna hope and save her life. Sue refers to it as Behrman's masterpiece because his final act of creating that painted leaf became a symbol of hope and inspiration, ultimately contributing to Joanna's recovery.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the setting of the story, and what type of colony do Sue and Joanna live in?

2. How does Joanna's illness impact her emotional state, and what unusual connection does she make with the falling leaves outside the window?

3. Why does Sue discourage Joanna from counting the falling leaves, and what is Joanna's belief regarding the last leaf?

4. Who is Behrman, and what is his role in the artists' colony?

5. Why does Sue go to see Behrman, and what information does she share with him about Joanna's condition?

6. How does Behrman contribute to the resolution of Joanna's illness, and what does Sue discover about his actions?

7. Describe the significance of the last leaf on the ivy vine in the context of Joanna's recovery.

8. How does the weather, specifically the stormy night, play a role in the development of the story?

9. What does the doctor advise Sue to do for Joanna's recovery, and how does Sue respond to the doctor's recommendations?

10. In what way does Behrman's sacrifice and final masterpiece serve as a powerful symbol in the narrative?

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1. What is the setting of the story, and what type of colony do Sue and Joanna live in?

   • Answer: The story is set in a colony for poor artists. Sue and Joanna share an apartment in this artists' colony.

2. How does Joanna's illness impact her emotional state, and what unusual connection does she make with the falling leaves outside the window?

   • Answer: Joanna's illness causes her to lose the will to live. She emotionally connects her life to the falling leaves on an ivy vine outside the window, counting them backward and believing that when the last leaf falls, she will die.

3. Why does Sue discourage Joanna from counting the falling leaves, and what is Joanna's belief regarding the last leaf?

   • Answer: Sue discourages Joanna from counting the falling leaves because it adds to Joanna's emotional distress. Joanna believes that the last leaf on the ivy vine is connected to her life, and when it falls, she will die.

4. Who is Behrman, and what is his role in the artists' colony?

   • Answer: Behrman is an old painter living on the ground floor below Sue and Joanna. He is a failed artist who serves as a model for the artists in the colony. Despite his lack of success, Behrman cares deeply for the two young artists above.

5. Why does Sue go to see Behrman, and what information does she share with him about Joanna's condition?

   • Answer: Sue goes to see Behrman to seek his advice and possibly have him talk to Joanna. She informs Behrman about Joanna's belief that her life is tied to the falling leaves and her deteriorating condition.

6. How does Behrman contribute to the resolution of Joanna's illness, and what does Sue discover about his actions?

   • Answer: Behrman contributes by painting a masterpiece – a leaf on the ivy vine outside Joanna's window. His artistic gesture gives Joanna hope and aids in her recovery. Sue discovers Behrman's sacrifice when she sees the painted leaf still clinging to the wall after a stormy night.

7. Describe the significance of the last leaf on the ivy vine in the context of Joanna's recovery.

   • Answer: The last leaf becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for Joanna. Behrman's painting, created in a selfless act to save Joanna, contributes to her emotional well-being, leading to her recovery.

8. How does the weather, specifically the stormy night, play a role in the development of the story?

   • Answer: The stormy night adds tension and drama to the story. It becomes the backdrop for Behrman's sacrifice and the endurance of the painted leaf against the harsh weather, emphasizing the resilience and power of art and hope.

9. What does the doctor advise Sue to do for Joanna's recovery, and how does Sue respond to the doctor's recommendations?

   • Answer: The doctor advises nutrition and care for Joanna's recovery. Sue responds by providing Joanna with nourishing food and taking care of her emotional well-being.

10. In what way does Behrman's sacrifice and final masterpiece serve as a powerful symbol in the narrative?

    • Answer: Behrman's sacrifice and final masterpiece symbolize selflessness, hope, and the enduring power of art. The painted leaf represents the strength to overcome challenges and serves as a turning point in Joanna's recovery.