The Last Leaf
About the Author
The Last Leaf is a short story by O. Henry published in his 1907 collection The Trimmed
Lamp and Other Stories. The story first appeared on October 15, 1905, in the New York
World.
Think about it
(Page 48)
Question 1.
What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
Answer:
Johnsy, a young artist, was ill. She was suffering from pneumonia. But later on she
suffered from a misconception that she would die as soon as the last leaf on the
creeper would fall down. The medicine had no effect on her. Her willingness to live
could cure her.
Question 2.
Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers?
Answer:
Life has two aspects i.e. positive and negative. It depends upon us how we take it.
Nowadays it is very common that teenagers are getting depressed because of cut-
throat competition. On the other hand, a majority of teenagers who take life positively
and faces difficulties boldly never lose hope and proceed further.
Question 3.
Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
Answer:
Behrman had a dream to paint a masterpiece in his life. He kept waiting for the
opportunity to give it a practical shape. Yes, he could materialize his dream when he
painted the last leaf of the ivy creeper.
Question 4.
What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
Answer:
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
that it was not easy to make out whether the leaf was real or it was just a painting.
When Behrman died painting this life-saving painting, Sue called it a masterpiece.
Talk about it
(Page 48)
Question 1.
Have you ever felt depressed and dejected? How did you overcome such feelings? Share
your experience with your classmates.
Answer:
Our life is full of troubles. To move ahead we have to face the troubles boldly. Sometimes
because of troublesome conditions we get depressed and dejected. We lose interest in the
world around us. Pessimism surrounds us. In this state of mind, we should try to think
positively and get rid of this condition. Our faithful friends can also be helpful in this regard.
I felt depressed and dejected when I could not score good marks in the final examination of
Class VI. I was a meritorious student. I was sure that I would get the highest marks in the
class. Unfortunately, a month before the final exam, I suffered from severe typhoid. It
continued for 15 days. I became weak and could not prepare properly for the exam. As a
result, I got the lowest marks in the class. But my parents and teachers consoled me by
telling that it happens with everyone. They said me to be confident and be prepared to do
best in the next class.
Additional Questions
1. What news about Behrman did the doctor convey to Sue when he came to examine
Johnsy?
Answer: When the doctor came to examine Johnsy, he told Sue that Behrman too was
suffering from pneumonia. He said that he was confident of Johnsy’s recovery but feared
that there was no hope for Behrman.
2 . What led to Behrman’s unfortunate death?
Or
Why did Behrman spend a night out in the storm and rain?
Answer: Behrman died because he had spent the entire stormy night painting a replica of
the last leaf on the ivy creeper and had caught pneumonia as a result. He did this to save
Johnsy’s life. He did not want her to see the creeper without its last leaf and lose the will to
live
3. Which items were found near Behrman when he died? What did this signify?
Answer: A ladder and a lighted lantern were found near Behrman’s bed when he died.
There were also some brushes and green and yellow AT paints on the floor near the ladder.
This signified that the last green and fresh leaf had been painted by Behrman all through
the stormy night.
Long Question
1. The story ‘The Last Leaf is a story of supreme sacrifice by an old artist. Do you agree?
Answer: Firm determination and strong will power are the tools of success in life. A person
who has a firm determination and strong will power can never feel depressed on small
losses in life and God blesses such a person with success. In the story, The Last Leaf, it is
the determination and strong will power that helps a patient Johnsy to recover fast. Johnsy
who felt dejected and depressed had lost the will to live. Medicine was ineffective. She
thought that she would die with the fall of the last leaf on the ivy. But Behrman and Sue
brought her out of this fanciful idea and convinced her that there was no relationship
between her life and the falling of a leaf. Gradually, with the efforts of Sue and Behrman she
regained will power and thus her willingness to live saved her.
