O henry short stories the last leaf. The Last Leaf Summary 2022-12-23

O henry short stories the last leaf Rating: 8,7/10 834 reviews

"The Last Leaf" is a short story by O. Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter. The story was first published in 1907 and has since become a classic of American literature.

The story is set in Greenwich Village, New York, and follows the lives of two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, who live in a boarding house. Sue is a practical and realistic person, while Johnsy is a dreamy and artistic young woman.

One day, Johnsy falls ill with pneumonia and becomes bedridden. As she lies in bed, she becomes fixated on the last leaf on a vine that grows outside her window. She becomes convinced that when the leaf falls, she will also die.

Sue tries to reassure Johnsy and tell her that the leaf is not an omen of her death, but Johnsy is convinced that she will not recover. However, one night, a mysterious old artist named Behrman comes to visit Johnsy and tells her a story about a leaf that he painted on a wall in Paris. The leaf was the last one to fall on a tree, and Behrman believed that as long as the leaf remained, he would not die.

Despite Sue's efforts to lift Johnsy's spirits, the leaf eventually falls, and Johnsy seems to lose hope. However, Behrman has secretly painted a leaf on the wall next to Johnsy's window, so when the real leaf falls, Johnsy believes that the leaf on the wall is the last leaf, and she regains hope and eventually recovers from her illness.

"The Last Leaf" is a poignant and heartwarming story that explores themes of hope, friendship, and the power of the imagination. It is a beautiful example of O. Henry's storytelling abilities and his ability to create memorable characters and touching stories.

Short Story: ‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry

o henry short stories the last leaf

The cold breath of autumn had stricken its leaves from the vine until its skeleton branches clung, almost bare, to the crumbling bricks. Nearby were a lantern, a ladder, brushes, and a palette with green and yellow paint. You may bring a me a little broth now, and some milk with a little port in it, and - no; bring me a hand-mirror first, and then pack some pillows about me, and I will sit up and watch you cook. On the ivy vine. Behrman is an old artist who wants to paint a masterpiece but has been failing to do so for a long time. Behrman, in his old blue shirt, took his seat as the hermit-miner on an upturned kettle for a rock. Don't try to move 'til I come back.

Next

Short Story Analysis: The Last Leaf by O. Henry

o henry short stories the last leaf

Three days ago there were almost a hundred. There goes another one. An artist once discovered a valuable possibility in this street. I'm tired of thinking. The last leaf on the brick wall is the masterpiece he had always wanted to paint. It may be a case that Sue has also made a sacrifice. Behrman died of pneumonia to-day in the hospital.

Next

The Last Leaf by O'Henry

o henry short stories the last leaf

Old Behrman was angered at such an idea. They found him the morning of the first day in his room downstairs helpless with pain. According to the last leaf summary, Behrman is an old character who lives by himself. For the rest he was a fierce little old man, who scoffed terribly at softness in any one, and who regarded himself as especial mastiff-in-waiting to protect the two young artists in the studio above. The Last Leaf Summary and Analysis In Greenwich Village, two girls, Johnsy and Sue, are emerging artists.

Next

O. Henry's Full House (1952)

o henry short stories the last leaf

She told him of Johnsy's fancy, and how she feared she would, indeed, light and fragile as a leaf herself, float away, when her slight hold upon the world grew weaker. One was from Maine; the other from California. This way people have of lining-up on the side of the undertaker makes the entire pharmacopeia look silly. Johnsy may be committed to dying because she believes in something so much. Young artists must pave their way to Art by drawing pictures for magazine stories that young authors write to pave their way to Literature. Henry's "The Furnished Room.

Next

Last Leaf

o henry short stories the last leaf

FAITH LAPIDUS: Now, the VOA Special English program AMERICAN STORIES. Johnsy has lost faith in life plot and is torn as an individual conflict and Behrman paints the leaf to help Johnsy resolution. The cold breath of autumn had stricken leaves from the plant until its branches, almost bare, hung on the bricks. Behrman, in his old blue shirt, took his seat as the hermit miner on an upturned kettle for a rock. It is a sin to want to die.

Next

'The Last Leaf,' by O. Henry

o henry short stories the last leaf

We believe that Johnsy will die when the last leaf falls. Ach, dot poor leetle Miss Yohnsy. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. For half an hour I haf peen trying to say dot I am ready to bose. She was looking out the window and counting - counting backward. Students can use this summary to know more about the story and the moral lesson that it has. He does very little to help Johnsy though he is honest enough to tell her that she needs to change her attitude in order to get better.

Next

Elements of short story the last leaf by o henry Free Essays

o henry short stories the last leaf

The fancy seemed to possess her more strongly as one by one the ties that bound her to friendship and to earth were loosed. Two of the characters in the story would be termed round characters as they develop somewhat. Sue enters the room in order to complete the painting that she had started for the magazine. The day wore away, and even through the twilight they could see the lone ivy leaf clinging to its stem against the wall. Johnsy's eyes were open wide. The next morning, when it was light, Johnsy demanded that the window shade be raised.

Next

The Last Leaf Summary

o henry short stories the last leaf

Which would further suggest he is mean-spirited. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. Behrman, his name is—some kind of an artist, I believe. He drank gin to excess, and still talked of his coming masterpiece. Behrman died of pneumonia to-day in the hospital. In one corner was a blank canvas on an easel that had been waiting there for twenty-five years to receive the first line of the masterpiece. Why, that's almost as good a chance as we have in New York when we ride on the street cars or walk past a new building.

Next

The Last Leaf

o henry short stories the last leaf

He mainly composed short stories that had some moral aspects for people to analyze. For this answer I will be grateful to you always. She arranged her board and began a pen-and-ink drawing to illustrate a magazine story. He is aware that Johnsy thinks when the last leaf falls, she will die. He earned a little by serving as a model to those young artists in the colony who could not pay the price of a professional. Don't be a goosey. I've known that for three days.


Next

The Best of O. Henry Full Text

o henry short stories the last leaf

Your little lady has made up her mind that she's not going to get well. William Sydney Porter, or O. In the evening, there is a storm of wind and rain. However, the leaf does not fall. After the doctor arrives, he informs them both that Behrman has caught pneumonia and has been admitted to a hospital.

Next