Short Story Analysis: 'The Last Leaf'

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Questions and Answers

Why did the narrator choose to shave and get a haircut?

He wanted to look more presentable for job interviews.

His friends advised him to change his appearance.

He wanted to symbolize a fresh start in his life.

He believed his long hair and beard were no longer needed since he started earning. (correct)

How did the narrator's friends react after he shaved and cut his hair?

They welcomed him back as one of their own.

They treated him as an impostor. (correct)

They were indifferent to his change.

They praised him for his new look.

What was the outcome for the old woman when she went out to beg after the narrator removed his beard?

She got nothing after twenty minutes of begging. (correct)

She found a hidden treasure while begging.

She received more money than usual.

She became famous for her story.

What effect did the narrator’s beard and long hair have on his fortune?

They were believed to be a source of luck for him and the beggars. Signup and view all the answers

How much did the narrator earn at one point during his time as a beggar?

Ninety rupees a month. Signup and view all the answers

What advice did the wise old man give to the narrator about his appearance?

Not to shave or cut his hair until he found a job. Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator feel about his physical appearance after he got shaved?

He no longer recognized himself in the mirror. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the narrator's change in status from an employed individual back to an unsuccessful one?

He lost his 'magic beard', affecting his luck. Signup and view all the answers

What did the old beggar woman remind the narrator of?

His deceased mother Signup and view all the answers

What was Vicky's initial attitude towards killing the mosquito?

He thought it was an easy task. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately happened to the narrator after he got clean shaved?

He couldn't collect even a pie from the beggars Signup and view all the answers

Why did Vicky want to be called 'Victor Prince'?

He wanted to sound more important. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the narrator's financial transactions?

He only had three pies left before starting his business Signup and view all the answers

What was Bob's intention before his meeting with Jimmy Wells?

To wait for half an hour longer Signup and view all the answers

What action did Vicky take towards his wife after feeling insulted?

He physically beat her. Signup and view all the answers

What was Vicky's unusual physical characteristic?

His big head with thin legs and small body size Signup and view all the answers

What physical characteristic did Bob notice about the man who claimed to be Jimmy Wells?

He was taller than Jimmy by two or three inches Signup and view all the answers

What did Vicky's wife secretly put in the bread?

Poison to take revenge. Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator do behind the High Court?

Conducted his business with beggars Signup and view all the answers

How was the narrator viewed by his team of beggars when he cut his beard?

As an impostor Signup and view all the answers

How did the elephant finally get defeated?

It consumed the poisoned bread. Signup and view all the answers

What did the note given to Bob by the man indicate?

That Jimmy had come at the appointed time Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator's main income source from the beggars?

Commission from the beggars Signup and view all the answers

What was Jimmy Wells' occupation at the time of the meeting?

A policeman Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the King when Vicky proposed to slay the elephant?

He thought Vicky was mad. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately caused Vicky to leave the town?

His merits were not recognized. Signup and view all the answers

How did the neighbors respond to Vicky's boasting?

They mocked him Signup and view all the answers

How did Bob recognize that the man he was meeting was not Jimmy?

He noticed a smaller nose Signup and view all the answers

What was the setting like during Bob and Jimmy's meeting?

It was chilly and windy with the feel of rain Signup and view all the answers

What did Vicky drop when he ran from the elephant?

His bundle, shuttle, and bread. Signup and view all the answers

What did Jimmy do when he recognized Bob?

He sent a plain-clothes policeman to arrest him Signup and view all the answers

Why did Bob wait at the appointed spot for so long?

He believed in keeping promises Signup and view all the answers

What did Vicky attribute the elephant's death to when he told others?

A little push Signup and view all the answers

What was Vicky's reward for defeating the savage tiger?

The King's daughter in marriage Signup and view all the answers

How did Vicky manage to kill the tiger?

By having his dagger fall into its mouth Signup and view all the answers

What was Vicky's reaction to the King’s request to fight the invading army?

He refused to fight Signup and view all the answers

What did Vicky think about the King’s promise of half the kingdom?

It was meaningless without life Signup and view all the answers

What action did Vicky take when the tiger charged at him?

He climbed a branch to escape Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome when Vicky and his wife attempted to sneak through the enemy's camp?

They successfully escaped Signup and view all the answers

What did the city-folk want Vicky to do regarding the savage tiger?

Destroy it Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bob and Jimmy Wells Meeting

Bob and Jimmy were childhood friends in New York who promised to meet after twenty years.
Bob arrived at the meeting spot at 10 PM, intending to wait another 30 minutes.
A tall man, introducing himself as Jimmy Wells, approached Bob in a dark corner.
Bob noticed discrepancies in Jimmy's appearance; he did not look like the same person he remembered.
The man handed Bob a note from Jimmy stating he had come to the meeting but could not meet him personally.
It was revealed that the tall man was a plain-clothes policeman sent to arrest Bob, wanted by the Chicago police.

The Talkative Man and The Magic Beard

The Talkative Man, an unemployed individual, sought work while sporting long hair and a beard as advised by a wise old man.
His long hair and beard became a source of luck, earning him commissions from beggars in Madras.
With a newfound income of up to ninety rupees a month, he decided to shave and cut his hair, believing his vow was fulfilled.
Post transformation, he struggled to recognize himself and was treated as an impostor by his beggar friends.
Luck vanished after the shave; the beggars, unable to earn anything, experienced poor returns after his clean appearance.

Valiant Vicky's Heroics

Victor Prince, known as Little Vicky, was a weaver with a comically disproportionate appearance, often laughed at by neighbors.
Vicky's unfulfilled desires for bravery came to fruition when he accidentally squashed a mosquito with a weaving shuttle.
He left town in anger after feeling unrecognized for his merits, leading to his wife poisoning his departure bread.
On his journey, Vicky confronted a troublesome elephant, which ultimately succumbed to the poison from the bread he discarded.
Vicky received accolades for slaying the elephant and was named Commander-in-Chief of the King's army.

Encounter with the Tiger

As Commander-in-Chief, Vicky was tasked with destroying a savage tiger terrorizing the city.
Vicky bartered for the King's daughter’s hand in marriage before confronting the tiger.
Instead of fighting head-on, Vicky resorted to climbing a tree to evade the aggressive tiger for seven days, avoiding confrontation.
Accidentally, his dagger fell into the tiger’s mouth, causing its death, leading to more accolades for Vicky.

Defiance Against the Invading Army

A neighboring prince threatened war against Vicky's King, promising Vicky half the kingdom in exchange for his assistance.
Vicky, valuing his life over a kingdom, opted to avoid direct combat, choosing instead to stealthily exit through the enemy camp at night.
This highlighted Vicky's self-preservation instincts, contrasting with his previous bravado.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the short story 'The Last Leaf' by O. Henry. Participants will explore key themes, character development, and plot points that are integral to understanding the narrative. Test your comprehension and analysis skills in this engaging quiz.