Chapter Overview
'The Last Leaf' by O. Henry is a short story about two friends, Sue and Johnsy, who live in an artists' colony in Greenwich Village. Johnsy falls gravely ill with pneumonia, and she becomes convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls from a vine outside her window. Sue seeks help from an elderly artist named Behrman, who is deeply moved by Johnsy's condition. Behrman makes a selfless sacrifice to help Johnsy regain hope, ultimately teaching valuable lessons about compassion, perseverance, and the power of human connection. The story emphasizes the importance of hope and the impact that selfless acts can have on others.
Important Keywords
- Pneumonia: A serious lung infection that affects the lungs and can be life-threatening. Johnsy contracts pneumonia in the story.
- Hope: The feeling of expectation and desire for a positive outcome, which plays a central role in the story as Johnsy loses all hope during her illness.
- Selflessness: The quality of putting others' needs before one's own. Behrman displays selflessness when he sacrifices his health to help Johnsy.
- Sacrifice: The act of giving up something valuable for the benefit of others. Behrman makes a great sacrifice to give Johnsy hope.
- Art: The story takes place in an artist's colony, and art is an important theme throughout the narrative, symbolizing creativity and expression.