Essay on “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry

Introduction and Setting “The Last Leaf” is a short story by O. Henry set in Greenwich Village, New York, during the early 20th century. This neighborhood is a vibrant but impoverished area known for its bohemian lifestyle, attracting many struggling artists. The story’s setting is crucial because it highlights the theme of the “starving artist,” individuals who pursue their passion for art despite economic hardships. The cold, harsh winter exacerbates the dire conditions, making illness more prevalent.

Main Characters and Their Relationships The story revolves around three main characters: Sue, Johnsy, and Mr. Behrman. Sue and Johnsy are young female artists who share a small studio apartment. They met at a restaurant, discovered their shared interests in art, and decided to live together. Their friendship is deep, characterized by mutual support and affection. Mr. Behrman is an elderly artist who lives in the same building. He is protective of Sue and Johnsy, despite his gruff exterior.

Sue and Johnsy’s relationship goes beyond mere friendship. They depend on each other emotionally and financially, forming a bond that is both nurturing and symbiotic. This bond is significant as it portrays the theme of friendship and sacrifice, showing how individuals can provide strength and support in times of need.

Plot and Conflict The plot is driven by Johnsy’s illness. She contracts pneumonia, a common and often deadly illness during the story’s time period. The doctor’s visit reveals a grim prognosis: Johnsy has only a one-in-ten chance of survival unless she finds the will to live. This establishes the primary conflict: Johnsy’s despair versus the hope she needs to survive. Her fixation on the falling leaves of the ivy vine outside her window symbolizes her dwindling hope. She believes that when the last leaf falls, she will die.

Sue’s role as Johnsy’s caretaker highlights her devotion and the strength of their friendship. She tries to remain optimistic and supportive, despite her own fears and the economic strain of their situation. Sue’s efforts to cheer up Johnsy, including lying about the doctor’s positive prognosis, demonstrate her desperation to instill hope in her friend.

Symbolism of the Ivy Leaf The ivy leaf outside Johnsy’s window is a central symbol in the story. As Johnsy counts the leaves, she associates her life with the vine’s leaves. The falling leaves represent her declining health and hope. Conversely, the last leaf’s stubborn persistence symbolizes the fragile thread of hope that can keep someone alive even in the darkest times. This symbolism is a poignant depiction of how hope can be a powerful force in overcoming despair and illness.

Mr. Behrman’s Role and Sacrifice Mr. Behrman, initially introduced as a failed artist with dreams of creating a masterpiece, plays a crucial role in the story’s resolution. Despite his rough demeanor, he deeply cares for Sue and Johnsy. When he learns about Johnsy’s fixation on the last leaf, he dismisses it as foolish but later decides to take action.

Behrman’s decision to paint the last leaf on the wall, during a stormy night, is an act of ultimate sacrifice. He braves the cold and rain, knowing well the risk to his own health. This act not only demonstrates his love and compassion but also signifies the realization of his long-desired masterpiece. Unlike traditional masterpieces celebrated for their artistic value, Behrman’s painting is significant for its impact on Johnsy’s life. This shift in understanding what constitutes true art and success is a critical theme of the story.

Themes of Hope and Health The story intricately links hope and health. Johnsy’s recovery hinges not just on medical treatment but on her mental state and will to live. The doctor’s emphasis on the necessity of wanting to live underscores the psychological aspect of healing. The last leaf, therefore, becomes a symbol of hope that rekindles Johnsy’s desire to fight for her life. As she watches the leaf persist through the storm, she finds a renewed strength and determination to survive.

Friendship and Sacrifice The themes of friendship and sacrifice are vividly portrayed through the interactions between the characters. Sue’s unwavering support and care for Johnsy, despite her own struggles, illustrate the depth of their friendship. Mr. Behrman’s sacrifice, giving his life to paint the last leaf, highlights the lengths to which true friends will go to save each other. These acts of selflessness emphasize the power of human connection and the impact of compassionate actions.

Gender and Independence Sue and Johnsy’s decision to live independently as female artists in early 20th-century New York challenges societal norms of the time. Their pursuit of art over traditional domestic roles underscores their determination to follow their passions, despite societal expectations. The story subtly addresses issues of gender and independence, highlighting the challenges and resilience of women who chose unconventional paths.

Conclusion and Message “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry is a profound tale that uses simple yet powerful storytelling to explore deep themes. Through the lives of Sue, Johnsy, and Mr. Behrman, the story delves into the importance of hope, the strength of friendship, and the nature of true sacrifice. It portrays how even the smallest acts of kindness and selflessness can have a profound impact on others.

The story’s ending, where Johnsy’s renewed hope leads to her recovery while Behrman sacrifices his life, underscores the message that hope and love are essential for survival. It also suggests that true masterpieces are not just about artistic skill but about the love and humanity they convey.

In essence, “The Last Leaf” is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope and friendship. It reminds readers that in the face of despair, sometimes all it takes is a small, selfless act to reignite the flame of hope and make life worth fighting for.

Summary of “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry

In the early 20th century, in Greenwich Village, a bohemian neighborhood in New York City, artists and creative types live and work. Among them are two young women, Sue and Johnsy, who share a small studio apartment. Sue is from Maine, and Johnsy is from California. They meet at a restaurant and quickly become friends due to their shared interests in art, food, and fashion. They decide to live together and support each other as they pursue their artistic dreams.

As winter sets in, a severe outbreak of pneumonia hits the area, and many people fall ill. Unfortunately, Johnsy contracts the disease and becomes bedridden. A doctor visits and gives a grim prognosis: Johnsy has a one-in-ten chance of surviving. He tells Sue that the most important factor in Johnsy’s recovery is her will to live. Without hope and the desire to get better, the doctor’s medicine will not be effective.

Johnsy, however, has lost all hope. She lies in bed, staring out the window at an ivy vine growing on a nearby building. She becomes obsessed with the leaves on the vine, counting them as they fall. She believes that when the last leaf falls, she will die. Despite Sue’s best efforts to cheer her up and convince her otherwise, Johnsy remains convinced that her life is tied to the falling leaves.

Sue tries to maintain a positive attitude and continues to care for Johnsy while working on her art projects to earn money. She is deeply worried about her friend and does everything she can to lift Johnsy’s spirits. She talks to Johnsy about their future plans, including Johnsy’s dream of painting the Bay of Naples, but nothing seems to work. Johnsy is fixated on the ivy leaves and resigns herself to dying when the last one falls.

Sue is desperate and decides to seek help from their downstairs neighbor, Mr. Behrman. Behrman is an elderly artist who has lived in the building for many years. Despite his tough exterior and gruff manner, he has a kind heart and cares deeply for Sue and Johnsy. He is also frustrated by his own lack of artistic success, having never painted his long-desired “masterpiece.”

When Sue tells Behrman about Johnsy’s condition and her belief that she will die when the last leaf falls, Behrman is initially dismissive and calls it foolishness. However, he soon realizes the seriousness of the situation and agrees to help. He comes upstairs to pose for Sue’s illustration work, but they both keep a close eye on the ivy vine.

That night, a fierce storm rages through the neighborhood. The wind howls, and heavy rain falls, battering the buildings and trees. Sue is worried that the storm will cause the last leaf to fall, sealing Johnsy’s fate. In the morning, she nervously pulls up the window shade to check on the vine. To her astonishment, the last leaf is still there, clinging tenaciously to the vine despite the storm.

Johnsy, too, is surprised but remains pessimistic. She insists that the leaf will fall soon, and when it does, she will go with it. However, as more time passes and the leaf continues to hold on, Johnsy begins to rethink her fatalistic attitude. She wonders how the leaf could have survived such a terrible storm and starts to see it as a sign. Gradually, she finds a renewed will to live, feeling ashamed of her earlier hopelessness. She asks for some soup and later expresses her desire to paint the Bay of Naples, showing her regained interest in life and art.

The doctor visits again and is pleased with Johnsy’s improved outlook. He tells Sue that Johnsy now has a good chance of recovery, thanks to her renewed hope and determination to live. As he leaves, he mentions that he has to attend to another patient in the building—Mr. Behrman, who has caught pneumonia and is in a critical condition.

The next day, Sue informs Johnsy that Mr. Behrman has died. The janitor found him in his apartment, soaking wet and shivering, with a lantern still lit and a ladder and painting materials nearby. It becomes clear that Behrman had gone out in the storm to paint an incredibly realistic image of the last leaf on the wall. This act of selfless love and sacrifice was Behrman’s masterpiece, intended to give Johnsy the hope she needed to survive.

Mr. Behrman’s final painting saved Johnsy’s life by inspiring her to fight her illness. His masterpiece wasn’t a grand work of art displayed in a gallery, but a simple leaf painted with such skill and love that it restored hope to a dying girl. The story concludes with the realization that true art and success are measured not by fame or fortune, but by the impact one’s actions have on the lives of others.

O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf” is a poignant tale of hope, friendship, and sacrifice. It underscores the importance of willpower in overcoming adversity and the profound impact that acts of kindness and love can have on those in need. Through the characters of Sue, Johnsy, and Mr. Behrman, the story highlights the power of art to inspire and the enduring strength of the human spirit.