The Last Leaf

The author of the story ‘the last leaf’ is William Sydney Porter whose penname is O’ Henry. He lived from September, 1862 and died in June, 1910. He is often regarded as the Master of Surprise endings. The Gift of Magi, the Romance of a Busy Broker, the voice of the city etc. are some of his famous short stories which on reading would regard us with a lesson or memory that lasts for a life time. O’ Henry is often regarded as the ‘Master of Surprise Endings’.
In the short story “the last leaf” the two young artists namely, Sue and Johnsy decided to share a studio and so moved into a three story brick building in Greenwich Village of New York City. During November and when icy rains are intense pneumonia hit the artists’ colony and begins to

It makes the reader to recollect the old saying that “you cannot judge a book by its cover”. Behrman fully understands her emotions and desperation to wait for death. He tries to be protective of the girl. His thought was simple: Johnsy assumes that when the last leaf of the ivy vine falls she dies, if it doesn’t then she won’t. Since he knew that he cannot stop the leaves from falling he tries to paint one on the wall. Cold and wet from painting in the icy rain, he catches pneumonia and dies. It is not because he did not know that he would die that he went out but because he was determined to save the girl’s life at any cost. He finishes painting the leaf, his masterpiece, to bring back hope for life in Johnsy. He pays his life for Johnsy’s and gives her a chance to live a life of her dreams. To all the readers, his masterpiece stands as a symbol of greatest sacrifice of an artist and he himself stands as a symbol of a true friend. After reading ‘the last leaf’ one can come out with the fact that the last leaf stood as a symbol for hope from the beginning of the story right to the end.
The next day when Johnsy wakes up she notices the last leaf still hanging on to the wall. She then realizes that she has sinned by waiting for death and that the leaf has taught her a lesson. Her hopes for life spring back into her as she says, “Sudie, someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples”. Clearly, Bay of Naples symbolizes her dreams. Later, the doctor confirms that she has won her battle with pneumonia. The mood that comes out at the end with a sudden turn of events is that of happiness and strong