The Last Leaf by O. Henry is a short story about hope, sacrifice, and the power of art set in Greenwich Village, New York.
Summary:
Two young women, Sue
and Johnsy, are artists living together. One winter, Johnsy falls
seriously ill with pneumonia. As her health worsens, she becomes hopeless
and starts counting the falling leaves on an ivy vine outside her window. She
believes that when the last leaf falls, she will die.
Sue tries to cheer her up
and brings in an old neighbor, Behrman, a struggling artist who has
never created his masterpiece. When the last real leaf falls during a stormy
night, Johnsy is surprised to see one leaf still clinging to the vine
the next morning. Inspired by the leaf’s persistence, her will to live returns
and she begins to recover.
Later, Sue reveals that
the leaf was not real — Behrman had painted it during the storm,
risking his life in the cold. Sadly, Behrman catches pneumonia himself and
dies. His painting, the leaf that saved Johnsy, becomes his final and greatest
masterpiece.
Themes:
- Hope vs. Despair
- Art as inspiration
- Self-sacrifice
- Friendship and care
It’s a touching story that
highlights how small acts of courage and kindness can save a life.
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