The Last Leaf
Make a Long Essay about the Last leaf
Essay about 100-200 words
By: O Henry
Answer:
The last leaf by O. Henry
Lohmann Barbara- The last leaf by O. Henry
THE LAST LEAF BY O. HENRY: A QUESTION OF HOPE AND SELFLESS SACRIFICE
O. Henry was an American writer who is known as “The master of the short stories”. His writings are characterized by a witty narration with surprising endings. They usually talk about ordinary people and take place in New York City. In “The last leaf” the author uses two central ideas: hope and selfless sacrifice, to show that a diseased mind is even more harmful than the disease itself.
From the beginning, the author shows that Johnsy, a young artist, not only physically sick: “He was a bad sickness. Doctors called him pneumonia” but also she has no expectations of living. “I´ll do all I know how to do. But when a sick person begins to feel that he´s going to die, half my work is useless.” Johnsy is really sure that she will die when the last leaf of the old tree falls, “when the last one falls, I must go, too.” The tree is for the girl a symbol that represents life and that’s why as the tree loses its leaves she becomes more and more ill. The girl’s hope of recovering from her illness relies on one simply leaf. Near the end of the story, when she regains her faith she said “Sue, some day I hope to paint the Bay of Naples” O. Henry demonstrates that in cases like the story’s protagonist, having lots of expectations for the future help to cure illnesses.
Another important theme that the author expresses in the story is the question of selfless sacrifice. This is clearly evident in Behrman, an artist who lives on Jhonsy and Sue´s house first floor. He always said: “Some day I shall paint my masterpiece.” Knowing that the girl was badly ill, he decided to sacrifice himself painting an ivy leaf in the window when the real one fell to lift his friend’s spirit. Beside this, he didn’t want Johnsy to die negatively or with disbelief. “Look at the window, dear, at the last leaf on the wall. Didn’t you wonder why it never moved when the wind was blowing? Oh, my dear, it is Behrman´s great masterpiece-he painted it there the night that the last leaf fell.” At the end, as usual in O. Henry´s writings, the story has a twist and not only Johnsy recovers from her illness “She´s safe. You have done it. Food and care now-that´s all” but also Behrman die “I have something to tell you. Mr Berhman died of pneumonia today in the hospital”. He not only dedicates his masterpiece to help his friend, but also he became sick of pneumonia, which cause his death.
“I´ve been a bad girl, Sue. Something has made that last leaf stay there to show me how bad I was. It is wrong to want to die.” With this quotation readers catch the idea O. Henry try to transmit: A mental illness is worse than any physical illness. In addition to this idea, he also put emphasis in the importance of hope in our life, as well as selfless sacrifice to help others.
Answer:
“The Last Leaf” is a short story by William Sydney Porter, who wrote under the pseudonym O. Henry. The story was first published in his collection called “The Trimmed Lamp and Other Stories” in 1906. The story is set in the Greenwich Village of New York City, and it revolves around three characters: Sue, Johnsy, and a painter named Behrman. This heartwarming tale has been loved by millions of readers over the years, and it is still a popular piece of literature that resonates with people around the world.
The story begins with Sue and Johnsy, who are two young artists and roommates. Johnsy is very ill with pneumonia, and she believes that if the last leaf on a vine outside their window falls, she will also die. The vine, which used to have many leaves, has been battered by strong winds, and all the leaves have fallen off except for one. Johnsy is convinced that when the last leaf falls, she will die as well. Sue tries to convince her that it is just her imagination, but Johnsy is stubborn and refuses to listen.
As the days pass, Johnsy’s condition worsens, and she becomes more convinced that she is going to die. Sue is worried and helpless, and she tries to think of a way to help her friend. One day, during a heavy storm, Sue hears a tapping on their window. When she opens it, she sees an old man, who is also a painter, named Behrman. He is a grumpy, rugged-looking man who lives on the ground floor of their building.
Behrman has always been an odd character, and he is often drunk. However, he is also a talented painter who dreams of creating a masterpiece that will make him famous. Sue asks him why he is out in the storm, and Behrman tells her that he has come to paint the last leaf on the vine outside their window. Sue tries to dissuade him, but Behrman is determined, and he goes ahead and paints the leaf.
The next day, Johnsy wakes up and sees that the last leaf is still on the vine. She is overjoyed and tells Sue that she feels better and that she is not going to die. Sue is relieved and happy for her friend, but she also realizes that Behrman has caught pneumonia and is very ill. Sue and Johnsy nurse him as best they can, but he dies a few days later. Sue finds out that Behrman had always wanted to be a great artist, and he had sacrificed his life to paint the last leaf on the vine, which he believed was a masterpiece.
The theme of “The Last Leaf” is about the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. Johnsy feels like she has lost all hope because of her illness, but the last leaf on the vine gives her something to hold onto. It gives her the strength to fight her illness and to believe that she can get better. The story also highlights the importance of compassion and selflessness. Behrman sacrifices his life to create something beautiful for Johnsy, even though he knows that he will never be able to enjoy the recognition that he deserves.
The character of Behrman is particularly interesting because he is a complex and multilayered character. On the surface, he appears to be a grumpy, bitter old man who is often drunk. However, the story reveals that he is also a passionate artist who dreams of creating a masterpiece that will make him famous. Behrman’s sacrifice and his belief in his own artistic abilities show that he is a character with depth and complexity.
Overall, “The Last Leaf” is a beautiful and touching story that celebrates the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a story that has resonated with readers for over a century, and it continues to be a popular piece of literature that inspires and uplifts people from all backgrounds and walks of life. The story reminds us that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope, and there is always something beautiful that we can create in this world.
Explanation:
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