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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate4 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The story 'The Last Leaf' is about two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, who live together. When Johnsy falls ill with pneumonia, she becomes disheartened and believes she will die when the last leaf on a vine outside her window falls. Despite her bleak outlook, her friend Sue and their downstairs neighbor, an old painter named Behrman, are determined to save her. In an act of sacrifice, Behrman paints a leaf on the wall that helps restore Johnsy's will to live, but he himself succumbs to pneumonia from the exposure.
Key Topics
- •Friendship and Sacrifice
- •Hope and Perseverance
- •Symbolism of Nature
- •Recovery and Willpower
- •Art as Expression
- •The Impact of Depression
- •Selflessness
- •Autumn as Metaphor
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the symbolic use of nature in literature.
- ✓Identify the themes of friendship and sacrifice in the narrative.
- ✓Analyze character development through conflict resolution.
- ✓Explore the emotional impact of art on life decisions.
- ✓Relate personal experiences to the characters' emotional journey.
- ✓Discuss the psychological themes present in the narrative.
Questions in Chapter
What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
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Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers?
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Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
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What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
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Additional Practice Questions
Why do you think the author chose to make the leaf a symbol in the story?
mediumAnswer: The author uses the leaf as a symbol of hope and perseverance, demonstrating how a seemingly simple thing can inspire life-changing realization.
Describe the role of friendship in the story.
easyAnswer: Friendship is portrayed as a powerful and supportive force. Sue's unwavering support and Behrman's ultimate sacrifice illustrate the depth of care and compassion true friends can offer.
How does the setting contribute to the story’s mood?
mediumAnswer: The autumn setting with its falling leaves creates a somber mood that reflects Johnsy's initial despair, while the storms underline the trials faced by the characters, enhancing the dramatic tension.
Discuss the implications of Behrman’s sacrifice.
hardAnswer: Behrman’s sacrifice shows profound altruism and underscores the theme of selflessness. His act of painting the leaf in the face of grave risk highlights the impact of small gestures in saving lives.
Explain the transformation that occurs in Johnsy by the end of the story.
mediumAnswer: Johnsy undergoes a transformation from despondency to hopefulness. Driven by the realization of the leaf’s inherent tenacity and her friends’ love, she chooses to embrace life and recovery.