The Last Leaf is a famous short story by O. Henry, an American writer known for surprise endings. The story shows the power of hope, friendship, and sacrifice.
The Last Leaf Class 9 Revision Notes
Writer: O. Henry (He is a famous American writer known for writing short stories with surprise endings.)
Story Summary
Sue and Johnsy were two young artists, and they lived together in a small flat. One winter Johnsy became sick; she had pneumonia. She lay in the bed and looked out of the window. Outside the window, on the wall, there was an old ivy creeper. Its leaves were falling in the wind. Johnsy thought that “when the last leaf falls, I will die.”
Sue tried to make her happy, but Johnsy kept counting the falling leaves. Johnsy refused to take food and lost hope. The doctor told Sue that Johnsy must want to live; otherwise, the medicine will not work.
Role of Behrman
Sue asked Behrman for help; Behrman was an old painter living downstairs. Behrman had always wanted to make a masterpiece painting. One night a storm came and the last leaf fell, but Behraman went out in the cold and painted a leaf on the wall. The next morning, Johnsy saw the leaf still there. It gave her hope and courage. She realized that she had been wrong to give up and decided to live. Soon she will recover from the pneumonia.
But Behrman caught pneumonia due to painting the leaf in the cold storm. He died two days later, and his painted leaf became his masterpiece, which helps to save Johnsy’s life.
Moral of Story: The story is about the power of hope, sacrifice, and friendship. Behram’s painting gives life to Johnsy. The moral of the story is art and kindness can change lives.
Key Revision Points
- Johnsy suffers from pneumonia.
- She believes that she will die when the last leaf falls.
- Behrman paints a leaf during the storm.
- The painted leaf gives Johnsy hope.
- Behrman dies but creates his masterpiece.
Important Questions and Answers
Who wrote the last leaf?
O. Henry wrote The Last Leaf.
Why did Johnsy lose hope?
Johnsy believes that she will die when the last ivy leaf falls.
How did Behrman save Johnsy?
Behrman makes the painting of a leaf on the wall to give hope to Johnsy.
What is the theme of the story?
The theme of the story is hope, sacrifice, and the power of art.
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