The Last Leaf Themes
The main themes in “The Last Leaf” are the triumph of the human spirit, appearances versus reality, and the interconnectedness of humans.
- The triumph of the human spirit: “The Last Leaf” emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope and connection to others, even in dire circumstances.
- Appearances versus reality: Both Johnsy and Behrman are deep, noble, and ultimately hopeful characters, though initial impressions might suggest otherwise.
- The interconnectedness of humans: Sue’s and Behrman’s acts of compassion have enormous impacts on Johnsy’s life.
Themes: All Themes
Themes: The Triumph of the Human Spirit
O. Henry's “The Last Leaf” centers around three struggling artists in Greenwich Village. The story is set in the midst of a pneumonia outbreak, and at the start of the story, Johnsy, a young painter, is afflicted with the illness. A doctor places her odds of survival at one in ten, in part because Johnsy is dispirited, convinced as she is that she is going to die. She has taken to watching a vine outside her window, watching its leaves get blown...
(Read more)Themes: Appearances Versus Reality
In Johnsy and Behrman, O. Henry has created two characters whose personalities contradict the surface impressions they present. Behrman is gruff and a heavy drinker. Now in his sixties, he has failed in his ambitions as a painter. Johnsy is a young painter whose ambitions—and life—are severely jeopardized when she contracts pneumonia. Throughout most of the story, her attitude is one of futility and fatalism. Both of these characters give...
(Read more)Themes: The Interconnectedness of Humans
Through much of “The Last Leaf,” Johnsy herself is resigned to her death. In the process, she underestimates the degree to which her existence is shared with the lives of the other people in her life: these people who have been affected by her existence, and who affect her own existence in turn.
The story’s perspective primarily follows Sue, who cares for Johnsy in her sickness. She tries to raise her friend’s spirits, even as she conceals her...
(Read more)Expert Q&A
Themes and Significance of "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry
O. Henry's "The Last Leaf" explores themes of hope, sacrifice, and the transformative power of art. The title refers to a leaf that symbolizes survival for Johnsy, a young artist with pneumonia who believes she will die when the last leaf falls. Her neighbor, Behrman, paints a realistic leaf to inspire her to live, sacrificing his life in the process. The story highlights how belief and art can sustain life and how selflessness can lead to profound impact beyond personal fame.
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