‘The Last Leaf’, first published in O Henry’s collection ‘The Trimmed Lamp’, is quite a moving story that cherishes the treasury of life and the existence of faith and hope. While the story is set in Greenwich village, New York, it speaks volumes on the many battles humans strife through their journey of life.
The story presents the life of three struggling artists – Sue (who was from Maine), Johnsy (who was from California) and old Behrman. They live an impoverished life in an artists’ colony in Greenwich village. It is an area marked by low rents. Thus we understand that they belong to the lower strata of the society and strive hard for success while hoping to make it big one day. They understand each other's fate very well and yet support each other even at the cost of their own life. They may be impoverished but their lives are splendid. The notion of friendship and self-sacrifice is the central idea of the story and keeps the reader hooked till the end.
The story commences in Sue and Johnsy’s jointly owned apartment, that is at the top of an old three-story brick house, in an artists’ colony of Greenwich village. The two friends also use this apartment as their studio.
In the month of November, Johnsy comes down with a serious attack of pneumonia. The disease has a bad reputation in this village and seems to have taken several lives. When Sue calls for the doctor, she is told that her friend Johnsy has slim chances of survival. This was not because of her physical illness, but more because Johnsy had foolishly associated her chances of survival to that of the falling leaves of the ivy-tree.
We are then introduced to Behrman, an old artist who was way past sixty years in age. He lived on the ground floor of the same apartment as that of Sue and Johnsy. He comes forward to help Sue in saving Johnsy’s life.
The story while maintaining the surprise elements, ends with a sting in the tail. Throughout the story, we read that Johnsy was ill and was expected to die with the fall of the last leaf. However, Behrman who paints the last leaf on the wall and battles the stormy night dies of pneumonia. Behrman was successful both in painting his masterpiece and in saving Johnsy’s life. Though Behrman appears once and speaks only twice in the story, his affection for Johnsy and Sue is well manifested in the story through his sacrifice. He thus becomes the very epitome of the theme of the story that self-sacrifice through love for others achieves happiness. The unexpected ending not only creates hope for other artists like Behrman but also recognizes him as a typical O Henry hero.
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Terms in this set (9) March 4. Lincoln's second inaugural address. March 17. Kidnapping attempt of Lincoln. April 9. End of civil war. April 14. Lincoln shot, Seward stabbed. April 15 7:22. Lincoln declared dead. April 15 mindight. Booth and herold arrive to dr. Mudds house. April 16. Black easter.
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Books are our best friends because they inspire us to do great things in life and overcome our failures.
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Hmm Tumble Books
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But if u wanna pay for a great app its called Epic :) hope i helped!
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As I stepped out onto the field, my gaze drifted upward. The sky was speckled with millions of tiny, glittering stars. We were so isolated out here that even the Milky Way was visible. I had never seen it in person before. That’s just one of those things that only happens at camp, the most magical place I know. Still admiring the constellation, I took a deep breath of cool mountain air and started walking. Under the dim light, I could see the faint features of my cabin mates and my counselors. Even though it was only 3am, I wasn’t tired at all. I was ready to make the two and a half mile walk to my favorite place in the whole world. As we entered the forest, the ground turned from grass to gravel, and the moonlight barely leaked through the dense trees. At first, I tripped over all the rocks and branches in my path and jumped every time a piece of grass brushed against my leg. But I eventually started getting used to the dark and tripped less.
I walked up to the front and admired the sun, then took some pictures with my friends. After that we all left the stone shelter and joined everyone back out on the road. There, our counselors were waiting for us with donuts and fruit. We all chatted and laughed, but then it was time to go back to camp. The walk back seemed much shorter, we all talked and told jokes and sang. When we arrived at base camp we were so excited. Not only because the morning of Pretty Place always had the best breakfast, but because we got to take a three hour nap afterwards! It was one of the best days ever at camp, and even though we take the same trip every year, each one holds a special place in my heart. I both eagerly await and dread this year’s venture to the breathtaking view. On one hand, I can’t wait for the incredible view and amazing experience. But on the other, it will also mean that my last year of camp will be over in a couple of days.
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