Podcast
Questions and Answers
What illness did Mr. Behrman succumb to?
What illness did Mr. Behrman succumb to?
- Pneumonia (correct)
- Influenza
- Bronchitis
- Tuberculosis
What was Mr. Behrman's significant contribution before his death?
What was Mr. Behrman's significant contribution before his death?
- He built a hospital for the sick.
- He taught art classes to students.
- He wrote a novel.
- He painted a masterpiece. (correct)
What did Sue comfort Johnsy with in the hospital?
What did Sue comfort Johnsy with in the hospital?
- The arrival of new medicine.
- The change in the weather.
- The news of her recovery.
- The story of Mr. Behrman's life. (correct)
What did the doctor say about Johnsy’s condition?
What did the doctor say about Johnsy’s condition?
What event caused the change in the lives of Sue and Johnsy during the winter?
What event caused the change in the lives of Sue and Johnsy during the winter?
What condition was Mr. Behrman in when he was found?
What condition was Mr. Behrman in when he was found?
How did Sue and Johnsy initially meet?
How did Sue and Johnsy initially meet?
What is described as a unique characteristic of the streets in Greenwich Village?
What is described as a unique characteristic of the streets in Greenwich Village?
What profession did the painter mentioned in the passage have?
What profession did the painter mentioned in the passage have?
Which of the following does NOT describe Sue and Johnsy's living arrangement?
Which of the following does NOT describe Sue and Johnsy's living arrangement?
What illness is personified as a 'cold stranger' in the passage?
What illness is personified as a 'cold stranger' in the passage?
What seasonal change is happening as the story develops?
What seasonal change is happening as the story develops?
What did the doctor do when he spoke to Sue?
What did the doctor do when he spoke to Sue?
What does the doctor indicate is necessary for a patient to recover?
What does the doctor indicate is necessary for a patient to recover?
What does Johnsy appear to be counting from her room?
What does Johnsy appear to be counting from her room?
What does Sue bring into Johnsy's room to lift her spirits?
What does Sue bring into Johnsy's room to lift her spirits?
How does Johnsy react to counting the leaves on the tree?
How does Johnsy react to counting the leaves on the tree?
What does the doctor suggest Sue talk to Johnsy about?
What does the doctor suggest Sue talk to Johnsy about?
What aspect of her life does Sue suggest Johnsy should focus on to improve her chances?
What aspect of her life does Sue suggest Johnsy should focus on to improve her chances?
What is implied about Johnsy's overall condition when she is described as 'very thin and very quiet'?
What is implied about Johnsy's overall condition when she is described as 'very thin and very quiet'?
What is Sue’s emotional state when she enters Johnsy’s room?
What is Sue’s emotional state when she enters Johnsy’s room?
What condition does Johnsy associate with the falling leaves?
What condition does Johnsy associate with the falling leaves?
What does Sue want Johnsy to do while she works on her painting?
What does Sue want Johnsy to do while she works on her painting?
What is Behrman's aspiration as a painter?
What is Behrman's aspiration as a painter?
How does Johnsy react to Sue's reassurances about her health?
How does Johnsy react to Sue's reassurances about her health?
What does Sue aim to achieve by finishing her painting?
What does Sue aim to achieve by finishing her painting?
Which activity is Johnsy most focused on during her conversation with Sue?
Which activity is Johnsy most focused on during her conversation with Sue?
What role does Behrman play in the narrative?
What role does Behrman play in the narrative?
What does Johnsy wish for before she feels she can leave?
What does Johnsy wish for before she feels she can leave?
What was Behrman's perception of the idea that Johnsy might die because leaves fell from a tree?
What was Behrman's perception of the idea that Johnsy might die because leaves fell from a tree?
What motivated Behrman to agree to help Sue?
What motivated Behrman to agree to help Sue?
How did Sue react to Behrman's refusal to accompany her initially?
How did Sue react to Behrman's refusal to accompany her initially?
What major activity was Behrman known for but had not yet completed?
What major activity was Behrman known for but had not yet completed?
What condition affected Johnsy's mindset regarding her illness?
What condition affected Johnsy's mindset regarding her illness?
What did Sue do the night she worked with Behrman?
What did Sue do the night she worked with Behrman?
What was the weather like when Sue and Behrman looked out the window?
What was the weather like when Sue and Behrman looked out the window?
How did Johnsy express her desire when she woke up?
How did Johnsy express her desire when she woke up?
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Study Notes
Setting and Background
- Takes place in Greenwich Village, a quirky part of New York City characterized by winding streets and unique architecture.
- Depicts the lives of two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, living together in a small apartment during the changing seasons.
Characters
- Sue: One of the main characters, an artist from Maine who cares deeply for her friend Johnsy.
- Johnsy: Sue's ill friend from California, suffering from pneumonia and obsessed with the leaves of a tree outside their window.
- Mr. Behrman: An older painter living in the same building, known for his lack of success but harbors dreams of creating a masterpiece.
Plot Overview
- Johnsy becomes gravely ill with pneumonia and fixates on the last leaf of a vine on the wall, believing that when it falls, she will die.
- The doctor expresses concern that Johnsy has given up on life, which severely affects her chances of recovery.
- Sue attempts to motivate Johnsy to live by discussing future plans and art, but Johnsy remains despondent.
Themes
- The power of hope and determination: Johnsy’s belief that she will die when the last leaf falls symbolizes her loss of hope.
- Friendship and sacrifice: Sue’s dedication to Johnsy highlights the deep bond between friends, often leading to selfless acts.
- Art as a form of redemption: Behrman's painting of the last leaf symbolizes hope and the transformative power of art.
Climax
- Behrman, moved by Johnsy's plight, decides to help. He paints a realistic last leaf on the wall during a stormy night, risking his health to provide Johnsy with hope.
- His act of creating the leaf represents his long-awaited masterpiece, showcasing his love and sacrifice for the two young women.
Resolution
- Johnsy survives when she sees the painted leaf still clinging to the branch despite harsh weather, prompting her recovery.
- Tragically, Behrman dies from pneumonia shortly after his act of creation, illustrating the themes of sacrifice and the complexity of life.
Symbolism
- The last leaf: Represents hope, resilience, and the power of human connection; it serves as the turning point in Johnsy’s recovery.
- Mr. Behrman’s unfinished masterpiece: Represents unrealized dreams and the transformative impact of care and sacrifice.
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