The Last Leaf by O. Henry: Story Summary

Little chance of survival

A picture for a magazine story

The leaves falling from a vine outside her window

<p>To paint the Bay of Naples</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He has died of pneumonia</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Johnsy believes it will coincide with her own death</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fulfilling their life's purpose by painting a masterpiece.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By pursuing independent lives and careers in art, rather than marrying and devoting themselves to domestic work.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dismissive and belittling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It reveals Johnsy's unfulfilled aspiration to paint the Bay of Naples, which is seen as insignificant by the doctor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It provides solace and support in the face of societal disapproval.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They dismiss and belittle them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The turning point is when Johnsy realizes she was wrong to lose hope and sits up to eat again, signifying her rediscovery of hope for her future.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The prospect of painting again and her dream of visiting Italy to paint the Bay of Naples motivate Johnsy to recover.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Behrman's masterpiece, the illusionistic painting of the last leaf, gives Johnsy hope, symbolizing the transfer of hope from one person to another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Behrman's death suggests that he no longer has the will to live, as he has achieved his life's work and believes his best work is behind him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>O. Henry suggests that physical health is strongly related to hope for the future.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Art serves as a source of hope, inspiration, and motivation for both Johnsy and Behrman, giving them the courage and strength to overcome their struggles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sue responds with 'magnificent scorn' and asks 'What have old ivy leaves to do with you getting well?'</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The leaf represents Johnsy and the effects of symbolism, as its trajectory parallels hers and Behrman's symbolic gesture saves her life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sue declares that the leaf Behrman paints is his masterpiece.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Johnsy wants to paint the Bay of Naples some day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Doctor asks if Johnsy has anything on her mind worth thinking about twice, suggesting that her mental state is crucial to her recovery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One character is from Maine, and the other is from California.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The doctor has to visit another patient, Behrman, who has caught pneumonia and needs to be taken to the hospital.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The janitor finds Behrman sick in his room, dressed in cold, wet clothes, and discovers a ladder and painting materials, indicating that he had stayed out all night to paint the image of a leaf on the wall.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'last leaf' is actually a painting by Behrman, which symbolizes the rekindling of Johnsy's hope and will to live.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Behrman's sacrifice is not in vain, as it gives Johnsy the will to live, despite his own death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sue is referring to both the quality of the painting, which is extraordinarily realistic, and the love and generosity of the act itself.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The story suggests that it's not the physical survival of something that matters, but the hope and will to live that it gives to others.</p> Signup and view all the answers