Summary of "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry
"The Last Leaf" is a story of hope, friendship, determination, and the will to survive, revolving around three artists who seek inspiration from their surroundings and aspire to create art that transcends time, achieving immortality through their work.
The central characters are Sue and Johnsy, two young and ambitious artists with their artistic journeys ahead of them, and their neighbor, Behrman, an aging artist in the twilight of his career. Despite Behrman's social aloofness, he maintains a cordial relationship with Sue and Johnsy, often posing as a model for Sue's illustrations.
One fateful winter night, Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia, and despite Sue's best efforts and the doctor's medications, her condition worsens. The doctor believes that Johnsy's lack of will to live is exacerbating her illness. Johnsy's dream of traveling to Italy to paint, along with her determination to continue her art, diminishes rapidly.
Johnsy's focus becomes fixated on a vine outside her window that is shedding its leaves progressively. With each fallen leaf, her resolve weakens further, and the doctor predicts her impending demise.
Sue, distressed by Johnsy's obsession with the falling leaves, confides in Behrman about her friend's state. In response, Behrman is struck by an artistic revelation, spending an entire stormy night in pouring rain and wind to paint the leaves on his canvas.
Behrman's masterpiece, a lifelike leaf, is then posted outside Johnsy's window. As Johnsy witnesses the leaf's resilience amid the tempestuous weather, she finds renewed courage and hope in her own survival. Gradually, she recovers and regains her artistic inspiration.
However, the act of painting the masterpiece takes a toll on Behrman's health, and he tragically succumbs to pneumonia. Despite his death, Behrman achieves a form of immortality through his completed masterpiece—the last leaf standing, representing hope and resilience. The story concludes with the lasting impact of Behrman's artistic legacy, immortalized through his selfless sacrifice.
Analysis of "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry
Symbolism
The story employs powerful symbolism, most notably represented by the leaf itself. Initially, falling leaves serve as a metaphor for decay and hopelessness in Johnsy's mind. However, the painted leaf becomes a symbol of resilience and optimism, inspiring her to fight against her illness and regain her will to live. The leaf symbolizes the last surviving hope, encouraging readers not to succumb to despair in difficult times.
The streets in the story symbolize the unpredictability of human emotions and relationships. The rough and damaged nature of the streets reflects the challenges and uncertainties faced by individuals in their lives. Similarly, the weather and the rains symbolize life's trials and obstacles, illustrating the journey one must undertake to reach their true potential and greatness.
Setting
The story is set in early 20th-century Washington, a place vibrant with aspiring artists and diverse cultures. The setting emphasizes the rich tapestry of arts, languages, and passions that converge in this place. Sue, Johnsy, and Behrman exemplify this diversity, each possessing unique artistic tastes and abilities. Despite their differences, the setting brings them together, fostering an environment where they learn from one another's talents and characteristics.
Conflict
The story is woven with multiple points of conflict. One significant conflict is between Behrman and Johnsy. Behrman is bewildered by Johnsy's lack of will to live and is angry with Sue for convincing her otherwise. Johnsy herself is battling both pneumonia and her own internal depression, struggling to find the desire to go on.
Sue and Johnsy represent opposite sides of the conflict, with Sue firmly believing in fighting against adversity, while Johnsy contemplates giving up. There is also an external conflict, represented by the inclement weather and the disease that ultimately leads to Behrman's demise.
Message
The story imparts a poignant message of perseverance and hope. It encourages readers to embrace compassion and introspection. The central lesson is that even in the face of life's most challenging situations, there is always hope. The narrative underscores the importance of resilience and the will to fight against adversity when all seems lost.
Furthermore, the story emphasizes the significance of mutual support and empathy. People should extend a helping hand and show understanding to those experiencing difficult times, as this collective compassion fosters healing for both individuals and society at large.
Conclusion
The story concludes with Johnsy's realization that hope is still alive within her and that her will to live is stronger than her psychological distress. Behrman's selfless sacrifice serves as an inspiration for her to face adversity with greater strength. He achieves his dream by creating his true masterpiece, even though it comes at the cost of his life.
Sue acknowledges Behrman's greatness, not only as an artist but also as a compassionate human being. The conclusion reinforces the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the intertwining threads of life, art, sacrifice, and friendship depicted throughout the narrative.
The Themes in "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry
Friendship
One of the central themes explored in O. Henry's "The Last Leaf" is the profound friendship shared between Sue and Johnsy. Both artists, they find common ground in their love for art and their shared passions. When Johnsy falls gravely ill, it is Sue who takes on the responsibility of caring for her, diligently tending to her needs and ensuring she receives proper treatment.
Amidst Johnsy's descent into despair and depression, Sue becomes her beacon of hope, consistently encouraging her to maintain an optimistic outlook. Ultimately, it is Sue who confides in their mutual friend, Behrman, about Johnsy's inner struggles.
Behrman, too, forms a close bond with the two girls and plays a pivotal role in the story. Through his artistic prowess, he creates a lifelike leaf painting outside Johnsy's window, which serves as an inspiration for her to find the strength to fight for her life.
Sacrifice
The theme of sacrifice resonates deeply in "The Last Leaf," most notably embodied by Behrman's actions. His true masterpiece extends far beyond the confines of a painting; it becomes a representation of his selfless dedication to help Johnsy survive and recover. Through this act of sacrifice, Behrman's painting becomes a powerful symbol of hope and inspiration, reflecting the notion that sometimes, the greatest art lies not only in skillful brushstrokes but in acts of genuine altruism.
Similarly, Sue's character exemplifies the theme of sacrifice. She willingly devotes her time and energy to care for her friend, setting aside her own desires to support Johnsy emotionally and financially. In doing so, Sue demonstrates that love and compassion hold immeasurable value, surpassing even the most prized possessions.
Hope
"The Last Leaf" conveys a compelling message about the strength of hope in overcoming self-doubt and adversity. Johnsy's illness leads her to despair, making her believe that her dreams of visiting Italy will never come true. Despite this, Sue remains a constant source of hope for both of them, shining light on the possibility of a brighter future.
Behrman, who has experienced his own struggles as an artist, initially faces a sense of hopelessness about creating a singular masterpiece. However, he defies his doubts and produces a truly inspirational work of art. This example emphasizes the significance of hope in keeping dreams alive; surrendering to hopelessness equates to giving up without even trying.
Throughout the narrative, hope plays a transformative role in the characters' lives. It helps Johnsy emerge from the darkness of doubt and depression, and it drives Behrman to achieve enduring greatness through his art.
The metaphor of the last standing leaf conveys the idea that tough times may surround us, but as long as hope endures, there is always a chance for renewal and perseverance.
The Characters in "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry
Sue
Sue is a young and compassionate artist who works for a magazine. Her caring nature is evident in her unwavering support for her friend, Johnsy. Even in challenging circumstances, Sue remains positive and optimistic, providing a much-needed source of encouragement for Johnsy during her illness.
During Johnsy's sickness, Sue goes the extra mile, taking care of all the practicalities, such as paying for the doctor's bills and arranging for her friend's meals. It is Sue's determination and insistence that lead to Behrman's decision to paint the leaf outside Johnsy's room, becoming a symbol of hope and inspiration.
Furthermore, Sue exhibits bravery in confronting difficult situations, notably when she informs Johnsy about the tragic end of their neighbor, Behrman.
Johnsy
Johnsy is a fellow young artist and a dreamer who aspires to visit Naples, Italy, to paint the beautiful bay there. Despite her strength and caring nature, she falls into a deep state of depression after contracting pneumonia.
The withering leaves of winter serve as a metaphor for her deteriorating spirit, leading her into a state of despair. However, her life takes a transformative turn when Behrman, their neighbor, paints a remarkable leaf outside her window.
Recognizing her own vulnerabilities and weaknesses, Johnsy finds renewed determination to live and continue her artistic pursuits. In this way, she becomes Behrman's masterpiece, as her story exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Doctor
The Doctor in the story is portrayed as a good-natured and compassionate medical professional. He puts forth his best efforts to cure Johnsy's illness, but he also recognizes the significance of addressing her psychological well-being alongside her medical treatment.
Although he speculates that Johnsy's illness might be related to relationship issues, Sue denies any such problems. Nonetheless, the doctor plays a crucial role in indirectly helping to understand Johnsy's obsession with falling leaves by encouraging Sue to inquire about her friend's mental state.
In the end, it is the doctor who delivers the sad news of Behrman's pneumonia to Sue, adding a sense of poignancy to the narrative.
Behrman
Behrman is a complex character in the twilight of his life and artistic career. He is an elderly and somewhat embittered man who grapples with the frustration of not being able to find inspiration for what he considers his ultimate masterpiece.
However, despite his personal struggles, Behrman displays a soft spot for the two young artists, Sue and Johnsy. Witnessing Johnsy's predicament, he offers his help by braving inclement weather to paint a leaf that becomes a symbol of hope and resilience.
Through this inspiring painting, Behrman achieves a sense of greatness, leaving a lasting impact on Johnsy's life. Tragically, he pays the ultimate sacrifice for his art, succumbing to pneumonia himself, but his legacy lives on through the hope and determination he instilled in Johnsy.