The last leaf

The Last Leaf Presentation ccssdrr4r444r4r4r43rere

1. T he Last Leaf O.Henry

2. ABOUT THE AUTHOR O.Henry his full name was William Sydney Porter . Born On 11 September 1862 and died on 5 June 1910. He was an American short story writer, famous for his use of surprise endings. he wrote over 300 short stories. His stories are about the lives of ordinary people and are marked by his unique narrative style. Most of his stories are based in New York City and speak of his fascination with the place.

3. T heme Of The Story The Last Leaf The main theme in this story is selflessness and sacrifice. When Behrman finds out that Johnsy is convinced that she will die once the last ivy leaf falls, Behrman selflessly gets out in the rain and snow in the middle of the night to paint an ivy leaf on the brick wall. Likewise, what is the meaning of the last leaf? Behrman climbed up on a ladder and painted the leaf in the cold and rain and caught pneumonia himself and died. The leaf is a symbol of despair that turns into a symbol of hope. Johnsy thinks the ivy leaf stands for her life, slowly falling away. When the leaf remains, however, it becomes a symbol of hope for her.

4. Sum mary Of The Story Two friends Sue and Johnsy live together in a rented apartment. Johnsy contracts pneumonia and loses her desire to live. She announces that she would die when the last leaf fell off the ivy creeper that could be seen from the room’s window. When the last leaf falls off, their neighbour, Mr Behrman goes out in the storm to paint one. This gives hope to Johnsy. On the other hand, Mr Behrman contracts pneumonia and dies.

5. The Last Leaf is a short story by O. Henry. It tells the story of an old artist who saves the life of a young artist, dying of pneumonia, by giving her they will to live. In the process of saving her, the old artist falls ill and dies. The Last Leaf Introduction

6. Word Meaning Seriously - Badly Pnuemonia - a disease caused due to the infection of the lungs Gazing: looking Whisper - to speak softly using one’s Ivy - a climbing plant Finality - the state of the being final Begged - asked humbly Feeble - weak Cooperate - to work together

7. T he Last Leaf SUE and Johnsy, two young artists, shared a small flat. The flat was on the third storey of an old house. Johnsy fell very seriously ill in November. She had pneumonia. She would lie in her bed without moving, just gazing out of the window. Sue, her friend, became very worried. She sent for the doctor. Although he came every day there was no change in Johnsy’s condition.

8. One day the doctor took Sue aside and asked her, ”Is anything worrying Johnsy?” “ No,” replied Sue. “But why do you ask?” The doctor said “Johnsy, it seems, has made up her mind that she is not going to get well.If she doesn’t want to live, medicines will not help her.”

9. Sue tried her best to make Johnsy take an interest in things around her. She talked about clothes and fashions, but Johnsy did not respond. Johnsy continued to lie still on her bed. Sue brought her drawing-board into Johnsy’s room and started painting. To take Johnsy’s mind off her illness, she whistled while working.

10. Suddenly Sue heard Johnsy whisper something. She quickly rushed to the bed and heard Johnsy counting backwards. She was looking out of the window and was saying, “Twelve!” After sometime she whispered “eleven”, then “ten”, then “nine”, “eight”, “seven”. Sue anxiously looked out of the window. She saw an old ivy creeper climbing half-way up the brick wall opposite their window. In the strong wind outside, the creeper was shedding its leaves.

11. “What is it, dear?” Sue asked. “Six,” whispered Johnsy. “They are falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred leaves. There are only five left now.” “It is autumn,” said Sue, “and the leaves will fall.” “When the last leaf falls, I will die,” said Johnsy with finality. “I have known this for the last three days.” “Oh, that’s nonsense,” replied Sue. “What have old ivy leaves to do with your getting well? The doctor is confident that you will get better.” Johnsy did not say anything. Sue went and brought her a bowl of soup. “I don’t want any soup,” said Johnsy. “I am not hungry… Now there are only four leaves left. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. Then I will sleep forever.”

12. Sue sat on Johnsy’s bed, kissed her and said, “You are not going to die. I can’t draw the curtain for I need the light. I want to finish the painting and get some money for us. Please, my dear friend,” she begged Johnsy, “promise not to look out of the window while I paint.” “All right,” said Johnsy. “Finish your painting soon for I want to see the last leaf fall. I’m tired of waiting. I have to die, so let me go away peacefully like one of those poor, tired leaves.” “Try to sleep,” said Sue. “I have to paint an old miner. I will call Behrman up to be my model.”

13. Sue rushed down. Behrman lived on the ground floor. He was a sixty-year-old painter. His lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece but that had remained a dream. Sue poured out her worries to Behrman. She told him how Johnsy was convinced that she would die when the last leaf fell. “Is she stupid?” asked Behrman. “How can she be so foolish?” “She is running a high temperature,”complained Sue. “She refuses to eat or drink and that worries me a lot.”

14. “I will come with you and see Johnsy,” Behrman said. They tiptoed into the room. Johnsy was sleeping. Sue drew the curtains together and they went to the next room. She peeped out through the window. There was only one leaf on the creeper. It was raining heavily and an icy-cold wind was blowing. It seemed as though the leaf would fall any minute now. Behrman did not say a word. He went back to his room.

15. Johnsy woke up next morning. In a feeble voice she asked Sue to draw the curtains. Sue was nervous. She drew back the curtains very reluctantly. “Oh!” Sue exclaimed as she looked at the vine creeper. “Look, there is still one leaf on the creeper. It looks quite green and healthy. In spite of the storm and the fierce winds, it didn’t fall.” “I heard the wind last night,” said Johnsy. “I thought it would have fallen. It will surely fall today. Then I’ll die.” “You won’t die,” said Sue energetically. “You have to live for your friends. What would happen to me if you die?” Johnsy smiled weakly and closed her eyes. After every hour or so she would look out of the window and find the leaf still there. It seemed to be clinging to the creeper.

16. In the evening, there was another storm but the leaf did not fall. Johnsy lay for a long time looking at the leaf. Then she called out to Sue. “I have been a bad girl. You have looked after me so lovingly and I have not cooperated with you. I have been depressed and gloomy. The last leaf has shown me how wicked I have been. I have realised that it is a sin to want to die.” Sue hugged Johnsy. Then she gave her lots of hot soup and a mirror. Johnsy combed her hair and smiled brightly.

17. In the afternoon the doctor came. After examining his patient he told Sue, “Johnsy now has the will to live. I am confident she’ll recover soon. Now I must go downstairs and see Behrman. He is also suffering from pneumonia. But I am afraid, there is no hope for him.” The next morning Sue came and sat on Johnsy’s bed. Taking Johnsy’s hand in hers she said, “I have something to tell you. Mr Behrman died of pneumonia this morning. He was ill for only two days. The first day the janitor found him on his bed. His clothes and shoes were wet and he was shivering. He had been out in that stormy night.

18. Then they found a ladder and a lantern still lighted lying near his bed. There were also some brushes and green and yellow paints on the floor near the ladder. “Johnsy dear,” said Sue, “look out of the window. Look at that ivy leaf. Haven’t you wondered why it doesn’t flutter when the wind blows? That’s Behrman’s masterpiece. He painted it the night the last leaf fell.”

19. M CQ

20. Q1. Who was the author of the ‘The Last Leaf’? O.Henry Ruskin Bond Harsh Mander Oscar Wilde Ans:-(a) O.Henry

21. Q2.Mention the characters of the story ‘The Last Leaf’. Behrman Sue Johnsy All the above Ans:- (d) All the above

22. Q3. Who was Johnsy ? A sick girl A young artist A girl None of the above Ans:- (b) A young artist

23. Q4.According to the doctor , about what had Jhonsy made up her mind ? She will recover soon She is not going to get well She will recover late All of the above Ans:- (b) She is not going to get well

24. Q5. What was Behrman’s dream ? To paint a masterpiece To make a colourful painting To travel the world To make a poster Ans:- (a) To paint a masterpiece

25. Q6. What was Behrman’s masterpiece? (a) painting a picture of sue (b) painting a picture of Johnsy (c) painting a picture of a leaf (d) all of the above Ans:- (c) painting a picture of a leaf

26. Q7 .What did Behrman die of ? (a) fever (b) heart attack (c) cholera (d) pneumonia Ans:- (b) pneumonia

27. Q8. Who was the Behrman? A young boy 40 years old man 60 years old painter 50 years old man Ans:-(c) 60 years old painter

28. Q9. What will happen when the last leaf fall ? A) Johnsy will recover B) Johnsy will die C) nothing extra ordinary will happen. D) not clear in the topic Ans B)Johnsy will die

29. Q10. Where did Behrman spend his night to make his masterpiece? in a hotel on a mountain in a heavy storm none Ans:- (c) in a heavy storm

30. Q11.According to the doctors what was the cure to her illness? (a) medicines (b) strong medicines (c) love and care (d) her own willingness to live Ans:- (d) her own willingness to live

31. Q12. Mention the characters of the story. a) Behrman b) Sue c) Johnsy d) All Ans:- d) All

32. Q13. Why do many teenagers feel depress ed? (a) because of too many desires (b) because of higher aspirations (c) because of inability to cope up with the expectations (d) All Ans:- (c) because of inability to cope up with the expectations

33. Q14. What happened to Johnsy when she saw Behrman’s masterpiece painting ? She became confident that she could be cured f elt delighted j umped out of bed none Ans:- (a) She became confident that she could be cured

34. Q15. What can make a man recover soon ? the will to die e ating healthy food will to live all of the above Ans:-(a) will to live

35. Q16. Who painted the leaf on the wall ? Johnsy Behrman Sue All the above Ans:- (a) Behrman

36. S hort Answer Type Questions

37. Q1. Where did Sue and Johnsy stay? What was their profession? Ans:- They lived in a small flat on the fourth storey of an old house. They were both artists.

38. Q2. What illness did Johnsy have? Who looked after her? Ans:-Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia. Her friend Sue looked after her.

39. Q3 .What did Sue feel when she saw the last leaf on the creeper? Who was at the window with her? Ans:- Sue felt extremely worried that the lead would fall off by the next morning, and if Johnsy saw that, she would not survive. Behrman, an old painter and her neighbour, was at the window with her.

40. Q4. What fear did Johnsy have in her mind? Ans:- She feared that she would die on the day when the last leaf on the creeper fell.

41. Q5.What was happening to the leaves on the creeper outside Johnsy’s window? Ans:- The leaves were falling because of the extreme cold and strong wind.

42. Q6.Who was Behrman? Ans:- Behrman was an old painter.

43. Q7. What did Behrman do? Ans:- He painted a picture of creeper with a leaf on the wall

44. Q 8. What happened to Behrman? Ans:- Behrman died of pneumonia.

45. Q9.What was Behrman’s Dream? Ans:-Behrman’s dream was to paint a masterpiece.

46. Q10. Was Johnsy’s life saved? Ans:- yes,Johnsy’s life was saved.

47. Q11 . Where did Sue and Johnsy stay? What was their profession? Ans:- They lived in a small flat on the fourth storey of an old house. They were both artists.

48. Q12. What did the presence of the paints and brushes near Behrman’s bed signify? Ans:-They signified that he had been out painting in the middle of the snowy, windy night.

49. Q13. How did Behrman die? Ans:- He died of pneumonia. He had been out in the stormy night, painting a leaf on the creeper outside Johnsy’s window. He came home soaked in the rain and fell ill there. The janitor found him there in the morning.

50. Q14. How did the doctor react to Johnsy’s recovery? What news did he give Sue? Answer : He declared that as Johnsy’s will to live had been revived, she would recover soon. He informed Sue that their neighbour Behrman had fallen ill with pneumonia and that he did not expect him to survive.

51. Q15. Why was Sue nervous to draw back the window curtains? Answer: She was worried that the last leaf on the creeper might have fallen off in the wind and snow the previous night, and that her friend Johnsy would consider it as a warning that she was also going to die soon.

52. Long Answer Type Questions

53. Q1. Do you think Behrman was a great artist or a great human being? Give reasons for your answer. Ans:- In my opinion, Behrman was a great human being. No doubt he was a talented artist, which is evident from his painting of the leaf on the wall. The painting was so realistic that everyone thought it was a real leaf, which saved Johnsy’s life. Johnsy had made up her mind that she would die of her illness the day the last leaf fell off the creeper.However, Behrman decided to help Sue, her friend, who was worried about the effect the falling of the last leaf would have on Johnsy. This shows how caring, selfless and concerned he was. He went out in the stormy and cold night to paint the leaf, and came back soaked to the skin, in no condition to even remove his wet clothes and shoes. He made the supreme sacrifice of his life to save the life of another human being.

54. Q2.Why has the story been called ‘The Last Leaf? Do you think it is appropriate? Give reasons for your answer? Ans:- As the title suggests, the story revolves around the importance of a single leaf on a tree. The leaf is particularly important in saving the life of a girl, who had convinced herself that she would die the moment the last leaf fell off the tree. However, the leaf miraculously stays on the tree, giving the girl hope to survive. The title also refers to the fact that the leaf is the last artwork made by an out of work painter, which also becomes his masterpiece.

55. Q3. What is the theme and message of the story? Ans:- The story explores the idea of the impact of true art, and what makes a painting a true masterpiece. It also highlights the themes of selflessness and the supreme sacrifice of self to save the life of another human being. It also explores the loyalties of a true friendship, and the levels to which we can go to help a friend. The story shares a message of the power of love and friendship. It reminds us that selflessness is the highest virtue one can attain.

56. Q4. What did Johnsy believe about the falling leaves? Did Sue believe the same thing? Ans:- Sue and Johnsy were two young artist girls. They had a joint studio. They loved each other like sisters. One day, Johnsy caught pneumonia. There was an ivy creeper on the back wall of the next house. Johnsy could see it through her window. The leaves of this creeper were falling fast in the cold winds. Johnsy developed a fancy that she would also die when the last leaf of the creeper fell. She lost the will to live. Sue came to know of Johnsy's fancy. She tried her best to cheer up Johnsy. She told her that there was no link between the falling of leaves and her death. She nursed Johnsy with love and care. She told Behrman about Johnsy's fancy. Behrman was a painter. He painted a leaf on the wall when the last leaf fell. This saved Johnsy's life. Thus Sue played an important role in saving Johnsy's life.

57. Ans:-Behrman saved Johnsy's life by sacrificing himself at the altar of art. "The Last Leaf" is about his extreme sacrifice that infuses life in a young depressed woman. Johnsy's illness was serious but could be cured if she had the will to live. Her failing health was more due to her state of depression than pneumonia.The sixty-year-old painter Behrman took upon himself the difficult responsibility of saving Johnsy. He made a single handed effort to brave the icy winds and rain to reach the window by climbing a ladder and finally paint a fresh and green leaf that looks natural and real. He painted the leaf with such passion that it revived the sinking br eath o f Johnsy. He thus saved Johnsy's life by sacrificing his own. Q5. How did Behrman save Johnsy's life?

58. Thank You