THE LAST LEAF
O. Henry
Answer the following questions in sentences or two.
1) What is Johnsy’s illness?
Ans:
Pneumonia is Johnsy’s illness.
2) What can cure Johnsy; the medicine or the
willingness to live?
Ans:
The willingness to live can cure Johnsy.
3) Do you think the feeling of depression
Johnsy has is common among teenagers?
Ans:
Yes, the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers.
4) What is the dream of Behrman?
Ans:
Behrman’s dream is to pain a masterpiece.
5) What is Behrman’s masterpiece?
Ans:
Behrman’s masterpiece is ivy leaf.
6) How did the last leaf survive?
Ans:
The last leaf was clinging to its stem against the wall.
7) Who fell seriously ill in “The Last Leaf”?
Ans:
Johnsy fell seriously ill in “The Last Leaf”.
8) What did the doctor say after examining
Johnsy?
Ans: The
doctor said that she had become very weak and lost her hope.
9) Why did the last leaf not fall?
Ans:
The last leaf was clinging to its stem against the wall.
10) Who is Johnsy?
Ans:
Johnsy is a young artist from California and friend of Sue, who was suffering
from pneumonia.
11) Who is Behrman?
Ans:
Old Behrman is a painter who lived on the ground floor beneath both young
ladies.
12) Who is Sue?
Ans: Sue
is a young artist from Maine and friend of Johnsy.
13) Who dies at the end of the story?
Ans:
Mr. Behrman dies at the end of the story.
14) Why does Sue rush down to meet Mr.
Behrman?
Ans:
Sue rushes down to narrate Johnsy health condition and to ask Mr. Behrman to be
model for her painting.
Explain the following statements with
reference to their context.
1) “She has one chance in let us say, ten,”
he said.
Ans:
Lesson: The Last Leaf
Author:
O. Henry
Context:
The above words were uttered by Johnsy's doctor to Sue on realizing that Johnsy
was not willingly trying to recover from her illness. Johnsy was
psychologically affected by Pneumonia more than being physically affected. She
deeply believed that she would never get well and her doctor told Sue that she
was trying hard to not get better. According to the doctor if Johnsy set her
mind on something or someone which could give her hope to live for example a
man, then there would be a chance of her recovering soon from the
illness. The doctor says that if Johnsy sets her mind to dying instead of
recovering from her illness, he will subtract 50 percent from the curative
power of his medicine. This means that not only medication but the patient's
willpower to recover is equally important. After the doctor had left, Sue went
into the workroom and cried hard worrying about Johnsy's health. The doctor's
remarks on Johnsy's health made Sue cry 'a Japanese napkin to a pulp'. Soon
after that breakdown, Sue composed herself and walked into Johnsy's room
creating an impression that everything was fine. She didn't want to upset
Johnsy more by discussing how seriously ill she was and that she wouldn't live
for long.
2) “Twelve’ she said, and a little later
‘eleven’: and then “ten’, and ‘nine’; and then ‘eight’ and ‘seven’, almost
together.
Ans:
Lesson: The Last Leaf
Author:
O. Henry
Context:
Sue was sketching a pair of elegant horseshow riding trousers and a monocle of
the figure of a hero, an Idaho cowboy. Johnsy was lying on her bed with her
eyes wide open, staring outside the window and murmuring something softly while
Sue was drawing. Johnsy was counting the leaves falling from the ivy vine.
Johnsy seemed to have gone into a state of frenzy because of her failing
health. She had given up hope of living, which was also the reason why the
doctor had said that she may not survive. She was counting the leaves falling
from the ivy formed an impression in her mind that when the last leaf would
fall off the wine, she would die.
3)‘Leaves On the ivy vine.’ When the last one
falls I must go, too. I’ve known that for three days. Didn’t the doctor tell
you?
Ans: Lesson:
The Last Leaf
Author:
O. Henry
Context:
Johnsy told Sue about how the decreasing leaves on the Ivy vine were taking her
closer to her death. Sue found no logic in Johnsy's assumptions and therefore called
it nonsense. Johnsy stared at the Ivy vine outside her window every day.
She had started believing that she would cease to exist in other words die when
the last leaf fell from the vine fell. She had begun to number her days of life
by to the decreasing leaves on the vine. Sue wanted to complete her
drawing and sell it to the editor so that she could get some money to buy port
wine for Johnsy and pork chops for herself. Johnsy kept staring out
of the window because she wanted to see when the last leaf from the vine fell.
When the last leaf fell she would know that it was time for her to let go of
her life forever.
4) Is dere people in de world mit der
foolishness to die because leafs dey drop off from a confounded vine?
Ans: Lesson:
The Last Leaf
Author:
O. Henry
Context:
Mr. Behrman said above words to Sue. Mr. Behrman is a little old curmudgeon, a
little Jewish man with a Yiddish accent. He is the type who complains about
almost everything, but he really has a generous heart. When Sue informs him that
Johnsy has declared that she will die when the last leaf falls from the vine
outside her window, he immediately flares up and says in his heavy accent, His
angry outburst is comical because of his accent, and because he feels that Sue
is supposed to have been capable of preventing her friend Johnsy from thinking
certain ways. In addition, he abruptly refuses to pose for Sue, but when she
becomes angry, calling him an "old flibbertigibbet," he changes
directions by asking her who said that he would not pose, claiming that he has
been ready to do so for half an hour. When he does pose for Sue, the
reader can imagine how silly he looks on an upturned kettle for a rock upon
which he is to sit.
5) ‘She’s out of danger. You’ve won.
Nutrition and care now- that’s all.’
Ans:
Lesson: The Last Leaf
Author:
O. Henry
Context:
Doctor said these words to Sue. When he had examined Johnsy then he noticed
that Johnsy had recovered from her illness and that was only happened because
of Sue efforts. As Sue’s motherly care for her beloved friend Johnsy had helped
her to recover from her illness. Johnsy was depressed and she had lost her hope
and desire to survive as she would say that her end had come and she would when
last ivy leaf fall. At that Sue was the person who had supported her to come
out that situation. The doctor had told Sue about one out of ten chances to
survive but Sue didn’t bother about her health and she was continuously taking
care of her as a mother would do. When Johnsy recovered from her illness even
the doctor appreciated Sue for her determination and will power for providing
nutrition and care that Johnsy survived only because of her.
III. Answer the following questions in 300 words.
1) What is the significance of willpower in “The
Last Leaf”?
Or
“The Last Leaf” explores the theme of
willpower through Johnsy’s ironic relationship to her will to die. Discuss
Or
Explain the role of will power in “The Last
Leaf”.
Ans: Yes,
the story reveals the willpower and the mind in making us believe in something.
In this story, we see that one of the characters, Johnsy, is suffering from
pneumonia. She believes that she will not survive, and as a result even
medicines have no effect on her. Even her doctor was worried about her chances
of recovery. Later, we see the power of the mind once again when she recovers.
At this point, her belief was that she would only live as long as the last leaf
stayed on the creeper. When she sees that the leaf does not fall off despite
the wind and stormy conditions, it makes her believe that even she might be
able to survive. Even though it is not a real leaf, and was just painted by
Behrman, Johnsy draws inspiration from it, and slowly gains the will to live.
Therefore, the story clearly expresses the power of the mind in changing the
course of our lives. As the title suggests, the
story revolves around the importance of a single leaf on a tree. The leaf is
particularly important in saving the life of a girl, who had convinced herself
that she would die the moment the last leaf fell off the tree. However, the
leaf miraculously stays on the tree, giving the girl willpower and hope to
survive. The title also refers to the fact that the leaf is the last artwork
made by an out of work painter, which also becomes his masterpiece.
2) Comment on the survival of Johnsy’s life.
Ans:
Johnsy was a young lady who was quite interesting person from California and
she was companion of Sue. Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia and she was very
weak and had lost her hope and desire to survive. She was counting ivy vine
leaves which were on opposite wall and he had already made her mind that as the
last leaf of ivy vine fall then she would also die with it. Behrman was
confident and optimistic for his masterpiece form past forty years of his
painting experience and his last painting turns into a masterpiece. He had made
his mind to save Johnsy’s life and in the event that the work of art had not
all that stunningly portrayed the last leaf clutching life on the shrinking ivy
vine. Johnsy would not have been persuaded and, in her gloom, she would have
died. The work of art was exceptional on the grounds that it became clear his
painting was tremendous even Johnsy didn’t recognize that it was not real ivy
leaf. Besides, regardless of his weakness and lack of energy and sickness,
Behrman had decided to put himself in danger of contamination by playing out a
surprisingly to save life of Johnsy’s life and didn’t bother of freezing cold
and heavy rainfall. He did his best to save Johnsy’s life and sacrificed his
life.
3) Discuss: Sue is truthful friend.
Ans: It
was month of May, Sue and Johnsy met each other in a restaurant and found their
tastes in art, chicory salad and bishop sleeves were similar and they became
soul mate friends and stayed together in a studio. Sue was very kind, loyal,
responsive, thoughtful, and friendly. Sue’s motherly care for her beloved
friend Johnsy had helped her to recover from her illness. Johnsy was depressed
and she had lost her hope and desire to survive as she would say that her end
had come and she would when last ivy leaf fall. At that Sue was the person who
had supported her to come out that situation. Sue advised Johnsy in many
occasions as it was needed, Sue didn’t bother about epidemic disease that would
affect her too but she only thought about her friend and should like pillar to
fill confidence and positive thoughts in Johnsy’s mind. Sue was aware of
Johnsy’s desire and even she had told Johnsy not to give up. The doctor had
told Sue about one out of ten chances to survive but Sue didn’t bother about
her health and she was continuously taking care of her as a mother would do.
When Johnsy recovered from her illness even the doctor appreciated Sue for her
determination and will power for providing nutrition and care that Johnsy
survived only because of her.
Ans: The masterpiece of Mr. Behrman was ivy leaf.
2) What did doctor
say after examining Johnsy?
Ans: The doctor said that she had become very
weak and lost her hope.
3) What was the desire
of Johnsy in her life?
Ans: Johnsy’s desire was to paint Bay of Naples.
4) What was the
desire of Mr. Behrman?
Ans: Mr. Behrman’s desire was to draw a
masterpiece.
5) Who pulled the
shade down to the window-sill?
Ans: Sue had pulled the shade down to the
window-sill.
6) What is the name
of the village?
Ans: Greenwich is the name of the village.
7) What was the profession
of people, who were living in that village?
Ans: Art was the profession of people, who were
living in that village.
8) Who was suffering
due to pneumonia among both ladies?
Ans: Johnsy was suffering due to pneumonia among
both ladies.
9) Who did doctor
give credit after recovering Johnsy's health?
Ans: Doctor gave credit to sue after recovering
Johnsy’s health.
10) How many years
old was Sue's model?
Ans: Over sixty years was Sue’s model.
11) What did Johnsy
demand Sue when she woke up?
Ans: Johnsy demanded to pull shade when she woke
up.
12) How many leaves
were left on ivy vine after rain and wind?
Ans: Only One leaf left on ivy vine after rain
and wind.
13) What did doctor
say about Johnsy to Sue when he visited for check up?
Ans: Doctor said that there was one chance out
of ten about Johnsy to survive when he examined her.
14) For how many
years Mr. Behrman kept canvas for painting?
Ans: For 25 years Mr. Behrman kept canvas for
painting.
15) What was the pose
of Mr. Behrman for painting?
Ans: Hermit miner was the pose of Mr. Behrman
for painting.
16) Why did Johnsy
count numbers?
Ans: Johnsy counted numbers because she thought
that as the last leaf falls she would die.
17)
Where was Mr. Behrman living?
Ans: Mr. Behrman was living on ground floor.
18)
Who had really saved life of Johnsy?
Ans: Mr. Behrman had really
saved life of Johnsy by his painting.
19) What did Johnsy
demand to eat after seeing one leaf on vine?
Ans: Johnsy demanded chicken
broth to eat after seeing one leaf on vine.
20) Did Mr. Behrman
agree to Sue's words in the beginning?
Ans: No, Mr. Behrman did not
agree to Sue’s words in the beginning.
21) Was there any man
in Johnsy’s life?
Ans: No, There was not any
man in Johnsy’s life.
22) When pneumonia
did affect village people?
Ans: Pneumonia affected
village people in the month of November.
23) What was Johnsy
counting while Sue was painting?
Ans: Johnsy was counting ivy vine leaves while
Sue was painting.
24) What did Mr.
Behrman and Sue notice when they entered room?
Ans: Mr. Behrman and Sue noticed that Johnsy was
sleeping when they entered room.
25) How did Mr.
Behrman die?
Ans: Mr. Behrman died due to pneumonia.
26) How many leaves
were remaining before Johnsy went to bed?
Ans: Only four leaves were remaining before
Johnsy went to bed.
27) Whom did Sue
decide to ask for model?
Ans: Sue decided to ask Mr. Behrman for model.
28) Why did Sue and
Johnsy live in same apartment?
Ans: Sue and Johnsy lived in same apartment
because they had same tastes for art.
29) What was
Johnsy’s illness? How was her condition?
Ans: Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia and
she was very weak and lost her hope and desire and thought that she would die
soon.
32) What was
Behrman’s desire? Did it come true?
Ans: Behrman had a desire to paint a
masterpiece in his life and he had been waiting for it from past many years.
Yes, it came true; he had painted the last leaf of the ivy vine on brick wall
to save Johnsy’s life.
33) How did Sue and
Johnsy become soul mate friends?
Ans: It was month of May, Sue and Johnsy met
each other in a restaurant and found their tastes in art, chicory salad and
bishop sleeves were similar and they became soul mate friends and stayed
together in a studio.
34) When did
pneumonia affect the colony and what happened latter?
Ans: Pneumonia, epidemic disease affected the
colony in November month and it had made so many people his victims by scores
and slowly its feed trod through the maze of the narrow and moss-grown places.
35) Whom did Sue
invite and what did he say to her?
Ans: Sue invited doctor to treat Johnsy, who
was suffering from pneumonia. The doctor said that Johnsy was very weak and she
had lost her hope and desire. Even medicine was not curing and there was one
chance out of ten.
36) What was Sue
painting when Johnsy lay on bed?
Ans: Sue was sketching a pair of elegant
horseshow riding trousers and a monocle of the figure of the hero, an Idaho
cowboy for a magazine story.
37) What did Johnsy
say to Sue when she saw withering of ivy vine leaves?
Ans: Johnsy was counting leaves as they
withered from vine and it had surprised Sue and she continued counting until
those were five, later she told Sue that when the last one falls she would die.
Even Sue tried to console the situation but Johnsy had already lost her hope
and before she went bed there were only four leaves remaining. When she got up
next morning she got surprised by seeing only one leaf on ivy climber and that
also survived in heavy rain fall and wind, later once again Johnsy told Sue
that she would die by the evening when the last leaf fall down.
38) What did
Behrman say after listening Johnsy condition?
Ans: Behrman with his red eyes plainly
streaming, shouted his contempt and derision for such idiotic imaginings and he
said that people in the world met their foolishness to die because of leaves
drop off from a vine.
39) How did
Behrman's last painting save a life and become a masterpiece in "The Last
Leaf" by O. Henry?
Ans: Behrman was confident and optimistic for
his masterpiece form past forty years of his painting experience and his last
painting turns into a masterpiece. He had made his mind to save Johnsy’s life
and in the event that the work of art had not all that stunningly portrayed the
last leaf clutching life on the shrinking ivy vine. Johnsy would not have been
persuaded and, in her gloom, she would have died. The work of art was
exceptional on the grounds that it became clear his painting was tremendous
even Johnsy didn’t recognize that it was not real ivy leaf. Besides, regardless
of his weakness and lack of energy and sickness, Behrman had decided to put
himself in danger of contamination by playing out a surprisingly to save life
of Johnsy’s life and didn’t bother of freezing cold and heavy rainfall. He did
his best to save Johnsy’s life and sacrificed his life.
Character Sketch
1) Sue
It was month of May, Sue and Johnsy met each
other in a restaurant and found their tastes in art, chicory salad and bishop
sleeves were similar and they became soul mate friends and stayed together in a
studio. Sue was very kind, loyal, responsive, thoughtful, and friendly. Sue’s
motherly care for her beloved friend Johnsy had helped her to recover from her
illness. Johnsy was depressed and she had lost her hope and desire to survive
as she would say that her end had come and she would when last ivy leaf fall.
At that Sue was the person who had supported her to come out that situation.
Sue advised Johnsy in many occasions as it was needed, Sue didn’t bother about
epidemic disease that would affect her too but she only thought about her
friend and should like pillar to fill confidence and positive thoughts in
Johnsy’s mind. Sue was aware of Johnsy’s desire and even she had told Johnsy
not to give up. The doctor had told Sue about one out of ten chances to survive
but Sue didn’t bother about her health and she was continuously taking care of
her as a mother would do. When Johnsy recovered from her illness even the
doctor appreciated Sue for her determination and will power for providing
nutrition and care that Johnsy survived only because of her.
2) Johnsy
Johnsy was a young lady who was quite
interesting person from California and she was companion of Sue. Both Sue and
Johnsy had met in a restaurant and they had become best friend. Johnsy was
suffering from pneumonia and she was very weak and had lost her hope and desire
to survive. She was counting ivy vine leaves which were on opposite wall and he
had already made her mind that as the last leaf of ivy vine fall then she would
also die with it. Johnsy had shared her belief with her friend Sue who disclosed
it to Behrman. Even doctor also said that there was only one chance out of ten
by seeing her condition. But Behrman understood the circumstances and he
painted an ivy leaf on the wall which looked real leaf. Johnsy got motivation
from that ivy leaf and she recovered from illness and survived.
3) Mr. Behrman
Old Behrman was a painter who lived on the
ground floor beneath of Sue and Johnsy building. He was past sixty and had a
Michael Angelo’s Moses beard. Forty years he had wielded the brush without
getting near enough to touch them of his Mistress’s robe. He had a desire to
paint a masterpiece in his life but didn’t get success in it. When Sue
disclosed Johnsy condition and who was dying of pneumonia and had the
conviction that she would die when the last ivy leaf on the wall. Behrman posed
for Sue’s painting and he left place quietly from there. He understood that
Johnsy belief was in ivy vine. Same night weather was too bad and last leaf had
withered from the climber. Mr. Behrman saw that and he went there even though
it was freezing cold and raining heavily. He painted an ivy leaf which looked
like real. He got cold and finally he was suffering from pneumonia and he died
in the hospital. But his masterpiece work had given strength to Johnsy and she
recovered from illness only because of Mr. Behrman’s masterpiece painting that
was the last leaf.
