The Last Leaf
AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND
William Sydney Porter
An American writer, known by his pen name O. Henry, born September 11, 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina and died June 5, 1910 (aged 47) in New York.
His most famous short stories are: * "The Duplicity of Hargraves" (1902) * "A Retrieved Reformation" (1903) * "The Cop and the Anthem" (1904) * "The Gift of the Magi" (1905) * "Conscience in Art" (1907) * "The Ransom of Red Chief" (1910) * “Calloway’s Code”
SYNOPSIS
Johnsy and Sue are artists who moved into Greenwich Village in New York City. As Winter approaches and the weather gets colder, Johnsy becomes ill with pneumonia. She gets so sick that she believes that when the last leaf falls from the vine outside her window, she will die.
An old artist, named Behrman, who lives in the same building as the girls, braves a storm one night to paint a leaf on the wall — a leaf that will never fall. Cold and wet from painting in the icy rain, he catches pneumonia and dies. This gives Johnsy the hope to survive her illness, and it also creates the masterpiece Behrman had always dreamed of painting.
CHARACTERS
JOHNSY
- She suffers from pneumonia in this story. Her wish for death and her dialogues reflect her disparity for life.
- Her word has no direct relation with Sue’s question, which shows her state of mind, the blank mind. It’s a vivid description of a dying Johnsy.
- With her actions and condition we were able to realize that we have hope and we must believe and have a faith.
MR. BEHRMAN
- Though the hero appears only once and speaks twice in the whole story but he, successfully reveals his affection to two young artists and his noble spirit.
- Though he was hard in the outside, he was full of gentle feelings in heart.
- His love towards Johnsy and Sue was fraternal or fatherly affections.
SUE
- Sue who is caring; tolerating, through perseverance and gentleness.
- Shows her fondness for her weak friend.
- She
William Sydney Porter
An American writer, known by his pen name O. Henry, born September 11, 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina and died June 5, 1910 (aged 47) in New York.
His most famous short stories are: * "The Duplicity of Hargraves" (1902) * "A Retrieved Reformation" (1903) * "The Cop and the Anthem" (1904) * "The Gift of the Magi" (1905) * "Conscience in Art" (1907) * "The Ransom of Red Chief" (1910) * “Calloway’s Code”
SYNOPSIS
Johnsy and Sue are artists who moved into Greenwich Village in New York City. As Winter approaches and the weather gets colder, Johnsy becomes ill with pneumonia. She gets so sick that she believes that when the last leaf falls from the vine outside her window, she will die.
An old artist, named Behrman, who lives in the same building as the girls, braves a storm one night to paint a leaf on the wall — a leaf that will never fall. Cold and wet from painting in the icy rain, he catches pneumonia and dies. This gives Johnsy the hope to survive her illness, and it also creates the masterpiece Behrman had always dreamed of painting.
CHARACTERS
JOHNSY
- She suffers from pneumonia in this story. Her wish for death and her dialogues reflect her disparity for life.
- Her word has no direct relation with Sue’s question, which shows her state of mind, the blank mind. It’s a vivid description of a dying Johnsy.
- With her actions and condition we were able to realize that we have hope and we must believe and have a faith.
MR. BEHRMAN
- Though the hero appears only once and speaks twice in the whole story but he, successfully reveals his affection to two young artists and his noble spirit.
- Though he was hard in the outside, he was full of gentle feelings in heart.
- His love towards Johnsy and Sue was fraternal or fatherly affections.
SUE
- Sue who is caring; tolerating, through perseverance and gentleness.
- Shows her fondness for her weak friend.
- She