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ST. MARY’S HSS BHARANANGANAM, ENGLISH NOTES, THE LAST LEAF BY O HENRY, 1. What added to the interest of Greenwich village?, Ans: The Bohemian life of the village and the buildings and apartments, which were old and dirty yet appealing to the artists added to the interest, of Greenwich Village., 2. Identify an instance of personification in the story. What effect does this, have?, Ans: "In November, a cold, unseen stranger, whom the doctors called, pneumonia, stalked about the city, touching one here and one there with, his icy finger," is an instance of personification in the story. The, personification makes pneumonia a living character and the villain of the, story who lurks around for victims. It also arouses our sympathy for the, affected people., 3. Do you think the doctor's medication would really help Johnsy? Give, reasons., Ans: No, because medicines alone cannot cure a disease. It is the belief or, hope of getting cured that often does the magic.Here, Johnsy has already, decided about her fate. So, the medication might not help her., 4. What aspects other than medicines can help a patient recover from a, serious illness?, Ans: A sound mind, hope, faith and confidence are aspects other than, medicines that can help a patient recover from a serious illness., 5. Why did Sue go to Johnsy's room whistling? What message does her, action convey?

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Ans: Sue wants to brighten up Johnsy's dying spirits. Her action conveys, the fact that she is a caring friend., 6. What does the expression 'counting backwards' reveal about Johnsy's, state of mind?, Ans: The expression 'counting backwards' reveals that Johnsy was, hopeless about her chances of survival. She was, in fact, awaiting her, death knell. The expression shows her pessimistic state of mind., 7. "There goes another."How did Johnsy correlate the leaves with her own, life?, Ans: Johnsy correlated her death with the falling leaves; she believed that, she would die when the last leaf fell., 8. "I'd rather stay here with you," says Sue to Johnsy. What does it tell us, about their relationship?, Ans: Their bonding is quite strong and dee p. Sue is a ver y caring and, supportive friend who wants to help Johnsy to tide over the crisis in her, life., 9. Why do you think O.Henry portrayed Behrman as a pathetic, old,, unsuccessful artist?, Ans: O.Henry wants to evoke sympathy among the readers for Behrman,, the unsuccessful artist, so that his sacrifice at the end of the story will, strike a chord with the readers., 10. Identify the expression which suggests that Behrman loved Sue and, Johnsy a lot., Ans: The sentence, "For the rest, he was a fierce little old man who, regarded himself as a watch-dog and protector for the two young artists, living above him, of whom he was very fond."

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11. What was the blank canvas in Behrman's studio waiting for?, Ans: The blank canvas in Behrman's studio was waiting for his promised, masterpiece., 12. Why did Sue and Behrman look at the vine 'fearfully?', Ans: Sue and Behrman looked at the vine 'fearfully' because Johnsy, correlated her death with its falling leaves., 13. Why does the author call Johnsy 'merciless?‟, Ans: Johnsy is called 'merciless' because she disregards the love and care, shown by Sue towards her and insists on seeing for herself whether the last, leaf of the ivy has fallen., 14. How did the last leaf on the vine affect Johnsy?, Ans: The last leaf on the vine brightened up Johnsy's spirits and her desire, to live., 15. Soon after Johnsy started showing signs of recovery, she expressed her, wish to paint the Bay of Naples. What does it tell us about her?, Ans: It tells us that she is a real artist who values her creative talent., 16. Why didn't the last ivy leaf flutter or move?, Ans: The last ivy leaf didn't flutter or move as it was actually a painting by, Behrman and not a real leaf., Let's revisit and reflect, 1. What is the role of a patient's conviction/willpower in the process of, getting cured of a disease? Do you think it has a positive role? Why?, Ans: The mental and physical health of a person is highly dependent on, his/her a attitudes and outlook. Medicines can cure only physical illness,, but the right attitude, confidence and optimism will cure within.

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2. Do you think Behrman drew the leaf knowing well that he was risking, his own life? Give reasons., Ans: Yes, Behrman was a fatherly figure who had a special regard for Sue, and Johnsy. He always acted as a watchdog and a protector of the two, artists., 3. Do you think the painting was Behrman's masterpiece? Substantiate., What message does it convey?, Ans: Yes, a real work of art is a serious expression of human feelings and, it can influence our life and attitude., Activity 1, 1) Now that you have read the story „The Last Leaf‟, complete the story, map given below., Title, , : The Last Leaf, , Author, , : O Henry, , Characters : Sue, Johnsy, Mr Behrman, Setting, Problem, , : Greenwich Village, New York City, : Johnsy has no hope of getting well again. She says that, , when the last leaf on the ivy vine falls she will die., Solution, , : Mr Behrman paints a leaf for Johnsy when the last one falls., , Themes, , : Love, Friendship, Hope, Willpower, Sacrifice., , Main Events, 1. Johnsy and Sue are artists who move into Greenwich Village in New, York City., 2. As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, Johnsy falls ill with, pneumonia.

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3. She is so ill that she believes that when the last leaf falls from the vine, outside her window, she will die., 4. An old artist named Behrman, who lives in the same building as the, girls, braves a storm one night to paint a leaf on the wall - a leaf that will, never fall., 5. Cold and wet from painting in the rain, he catches pneumonia and dies., 6. The last leaf which does not fall even in the rain gives Johnsy the hope, to survive her illness, and it also becomes the masterpiece Behrman has, always dreamt of painting., Activity 2: Sue and Behrman have different character traits, yet they have, something in common. Fill in the character indication maps given below, SUE, Word, , Action, , Kind, and She tried to instill confidence in, Considerate Johnsy. She wanted to make, money to buy some good pot wine, for Johnsy., Sensitive, Without showing her sadness, she, and, kept up a cheerful face., thoughtful, , Selfless/, Sacrificial, , Quote, The docor did not say, …port wine., , “Johnsy,dear working?, The, doctor…foolishness”, said Sue., “Dear Johnsy what shall, I do”, She went into Johnsy‟s room “Now try…Wine”, whistling., She tried to hide what the doctor, told her., She tried to console Johnsy, She made money to buy some, good port wine for Johnsy.

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She feared that Johnsy‟s strange She looked at the ivy, idea will take her life., vine fearfully., BEHRMAN, , Fearful/, Scared, Word, Ambitious, , Action, , Quote, , He always talked about the great The Blank Canvas, masterpiece he was going to paint, , Kind, , and He scolded Sue when he heard Why do you., into her, , Considerate about John‟s strange idea. He mind?, posed as a model for Sue, , Oh… little Miss Johnsy, , Selfless/, , He risked his own life to save Mr. Berman died ….last, , Sacrificial, , Johnsy‟s life., , Fiercely, , He regarded himself as a watch- He regarded himself as, , protective, , dog and protector for the young a watchdog, , leaf fell, , artist, of whom he was very fond., Fearful, , He looked at the ivy vine fearfully He looked at the ivy, vine fearfully, , Now, write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the characters., Sue and Behrman in the story The Last Leaf are kind and considerate, characters who always think about the well being of their friend, Johnsy., Pneumonia has cast a shadow over the dreams of Johnsy. But Sue, somehow wanted to keep her spirits alive. Johnsy correlates the falling of, leaves of the ivy vine with her life and believes that the falling of last leaf, means her death is near. Sue finds her argument foolish and wants Johnsy, to promise not to look at the ivy vine. She is quite sensitive because she, cries after listening to the doctor‟s words. She whistles and puts up a, happy face in front of Johnsy.

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Activity 4: Complete the conversation between Sue and Johnsy., Sue, , : How are you? Have you been coughing a lot? Have you taken, , your medicine?, Johnsy : Oh! I think it‟s of no use. My cough is killing me., Sue, , : What are you looking at?, , Johnsy : At the ivy vine leaves., Sue, , : What have ivy leaves to do with you?, , Johnsy : When the last leaf falls, I will also die., Sue, , : Die! Please don‟t be silly and foolish., , Johnsy : I want to see the last leaf fall. Then I‟ll go too., Sue, , : Stop having unnecessary thoughts. Sleep well, , Divide the conversation into panels, add necessary details to each, panel and develop it into the script of a comic strip., PANEL TWO, PICTURE: Johnsy, who is wearing a blue overcoat, is seen sitting on the, bed near the window with folded hands. The bed cover is green in colour., Sue, who is also wearing a blue overcoat, is standing next to her. She is, looking at Johnsy in earnest. On the top left hand side, a blue curtain is, seen hanging on a half open window. Sunlight enters through the window, casting a long shadow on the wall. A table lamp is kept on a red box, beside the bed and a picture of a comic figure is seen hanging on the wall., PANEL THREE, Caption:-Sue looks at Johnsy anxiously. Johnsy is looking at the ivy vine, outside., Picture:-Johnsy is wearing a blue overcoat and she is looking at the ivy, vine leaves outside curiously. She covers her body using the green bed

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sheet. Sue, who is also wearing a blue overcoat, is looking anxiously at, her. The window is completely open and a blue curtain is hanging on its, side. Through the window, we can see an ivy vine with a few leaves. One, leaf is on the way down. The room is completely lit by sunlight., Dialogue, Sue, , : What are you looking at?, , Johnsy : At the ivy vine leaves., Sue, , : What have ivy leaves to do with you?, , Johnsy : When the last leaf falls, I will also die., Activity 5, c. 1. What are the features of a Radio Play? Discuss., , , A radio play has scenes like a stage play. But unlike stage plays, a, scene has to be more crisp and brief., , , , Scenes of radio‟s play should differ in pace and length. Use a variety, of backgrounds, scene lengths, and sound effects to sustain the, attention of the readers., , , , Have a good beginning, middle, and end. Also, use the element of, surprise., , , , Understand your characters well. Each one should have a distinct, speech mannerism. Let not all of them speak in the same type of, voice., , , , Remember, that a listener knows the existence I of a character only if, he/she speaks or if another character refers to him or her by name., , , , Use the four building blocks- speech, sound effects, music, and, silence.

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2. Which of the following elements are related to a radio play?, 1. Sound effects, 2. Clearstory line, 3. Crisp dialogues, 4. Sound modulations, 5. Background music, 6. Effective narration, 7. Catchy introduction, Additional Activities, 1. Summary, Sue and Johnsy, intimate friends and artists, live at the top of an old, three- storey brick house. In to their midst 'a cold, unseen stranger' called, pneumonia appears and touches Johnsy with his cold fingers. It is here that, we see the power of friendship. Sue does everything for Johnsy, calls a, doctor, and looks after her. She tries to divert Johnsy's uncanny feeling that, her life will end when the last leaf of ivy falls. Into such a hopeless, situation comes the saviour, old Behrman, who loves these two young, painters and regards himself as their 'watch-dog and protector'. He painted, on the wall an ivy leaf exactly like the last leaf. The turning point in the, story is when Johnsy realises to her surprise that the last leaf hasn't fallen., It has survived the rain and winds. She got recovered. Behrman selfless act, takes his life, he died of pneumonia., 2. Sue feels worried thinking about Johnsy. What would be her, thoughts?

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Oh my dear Johnsy, how cruel you are...You never think about me., Why are you counting the leaves? A stupid thought has come to your, mind. Your life has nothing to do with the falling leaves. They fall because, of rain and wind. But who can prevent it? What will happen if the last leaf, falls? I just can't think about it .She thinks she will also die. How can I, convince her? No one can find a solution. I feel so helpless., 3. Johnsy feels so sad thinking about the leaves falling. Prepare her, diary., Oh God My days are coming to a close. The last leaf will fall, tomorrow. It is heavy rain and storm outside. I am sure the last leaf can't, withstand it. When it falls I shall also die. The endless waiting. I can't bear, it any more. Sue loves me very much and has closed all windows. She, wants me not to look at the leaf. But I am not safe. Nothing can't stop, death from approaching me. I don't want to live. Poor Sue, She is also, worried about me., 4. Prepare a news report of Behrman's death, A Masterpiece from a Sacrifice, New York:A marvellous painting of a leaf broke hearts yesterday as, it was drawn with the life blood of Behrman the great artist. People in, Greenwich Village were awakened yesterday with the shocking news of, his death in the hospital due to pneumonia. He was a failure in art till then., It is said that he was worried about the pathetic condition of Johnsy who, was sick. Johnsy had a strange fancy that when the last leaf from an ivy, vine fell she would die. So Behrman painted an eternal leaf on the walls, out side her window despite the cold weather and left this world. The story, of his sacrifice has elevated him to a great artist.

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5. Character sketch of Johnsy, Johnsy is a young artist living in Greenwich village with her friend, Sue. She is an emerging artist who wants to paint the Bay of Naples one, day. She loses her confidence when she becomes a patient of Pneumonia., Johnsy starts to feel that when the last falls she will also die. She becomes, desperate and hopeless. She develops a negative outlook and begins to, count the falling leaves. Johnsy fails to notice the pain of Sue. In fact she, becomes a pessimist. The decease has weakened her body and shattered, her mind. She is adamant in her fancy and not bothered about the love and, care of Sue. Johnsy fails to face life bravely.