📘 THE LAST LEAF
By O. Henry (Class 9 English – Moments)
✅ 1–40: Short Question Answers (2–3 lines each with colorful bullets)
🔵 Who is the author of “The Last Leaf”?
O. Henry is the author of the touching story “The Last Leaf.”
🟢 Who were the main characters in the story?
Sue, Johnsy (Joanna), and old Behrman were the key characters.
🟡 Where did Sue and Johnsy live?
They lived in a small apartment in Greenwich Village, New York.
🔴 What disease did Johnsy suffer from?
Johnsy was seriously ill with pneumonia.
🔵 Why was Johnsy counting the ivy leaves?
She believed that she would die when the last leaf on the vine fell.
🟣 How did Sue try to help Johnsy recover?
Sue talked positively, distracted her, and tried to give her hope.
🟢 What kind of painter was Behrman?
He was an old unsuccessful artist who always spoke of painting a masterpiece.
🟡 What did Behrman do when he heard about Johnsy’s belief?
He painted a realistic leaf on the wall during a stormy night.
🔴 What happened the next morning after the storm?
Johnsy saw the last leaf still hanging and began to gain hope.
🔵 Why did Johnsy start to recover?
She thought if the last leaf survived the storm, she too could survive.
🟣 What happened to Behrman after painting the leaf?
He died of pneumonia as he got soaked in the rain while painting.
🟢 Why is the last leaf called Behrman’s masterpiece?
Because it saved Johnsy’s life and was his finest work of art.
🟡 How did Sue feel about Behrman’s sacrifice?
She was grateful and saddened by his noble act.
🔴 What does the ivy leaf symbolize?
It symbolizes hope, life, and the will to survive.
🔵 What message does the story convey?
That hope and sacrifice can change lives.
🟣 What was Johnsy’s attitude before seeing the last leaf?
She had lost all hope and was ready to give up on life.
🟢 What kind of friend was Sue?
Sue was caring, optimistic, and supported Johnsy throughout her illness.
🟡 How did the painted leaf look?
It looked so real that Johnsy couldn’t tell it was not real.
🔴 What kind of weather was there when Behrman painted the leaf?
It was windy and rainy—a terrible stormy night.
🔵 Why did Behrman go out in such bad weather?
To paint the last leaf and give Johnsy hope to live.
🟣 How does the story depict friendship?
Through Sue’s concern for Johnsy and Behrman’s selfless act.
🟢 Why is Behrman considered a hero?
He sacrificed his life to save someone else’s.
🟡 How did Johnsy react when she found out about Behrman’s deed?
She was filled with emotion and realized the value of life.
🔴 What role did art play in the story?
Art became the medium of saving a life through Behrman’s painting.
🔵 Why is the story titled “The Last Leaf”?
Because the final leaf was central to Johnsy’s survival.
🟣 What did Johnsy learn from her experience?
She learned to value life and never lose hope.
🟢 Describe Sue’s personality.
She was strong, supportive, and selfless.
🟡 What does the story say about sacrifice?
That true sacrifice comes from love and courage.
🔴 What does the falling ivy leaf represent?
It represented Johnsy’s will to live, which she thought was fading.
🔵 Why did Behrman never paint his masterpiece before?
He was waiting for something meaningful, which he finally found in saving Johnsy.
🟣 Was Johnsy’s belief in the leaves logical?
No, it was driven by depression and hopelessness.
🟢 How did the doctor respond to Johnsy’s condition?
He said her recovery depended on her willpower.
🟡 What theme does the story highlight?
The power of hope, sacrifice, and the strength of human spirit.
🔴 How did Sue hide the truth about the leaf?
She didn’t tell Johnsy it was a painting until she was stronger.
🔵 Was Johnsy selfish in her illness?
She was too weak and hopeless but later understood her mistake.
🟣 How does the painted leaf inspire Johnsy?
It gave her strength, believing she too could withstand hardships.
🟢 What kind of person was Behrman?
Gruff on the outside, but kind and caring inside.
🟡 How is the ending of the story emotional?
Behrman dies, but his act saves a life—a mix of sorrow and hope.
🔴 What lesson does Sue learn from this experience?
That love, art, and sacrifice can work miracles.
🔵 What does this story tell us about inner strength?
That even in weakness, hope can bring healing.
✅ 41–45: Long Question-Answers (100–120 words)
41. Describe Behrman’s character and his ultimate sacrifice.
🟦 Behrman was a grumpy old painter who lived in the same building as Sue and Johnsy. Though he never painted his masterpiece, he deeply cared for his neighbors. When he found out that Johnsy had lost the will to live, he decided to help in the most selfless way possible. One stormy night, he painted a lifelike leaf on the wall so Johnsy would not see the ivy plant bare. This act gave her the strength to recover. However, Behrman caught pneumonia and died, but he left behind his masterpiece—a painting that saved a life. His quiet heroism made him a truly noble figure.
42. How does the story highlight the theme of hope and sacrifice?
🟩 The story is a beautiful portrayal of how hope can bring someone back from the brink of death. Johnsy’s belief that she would die when the last leaf fell was challenged by Behrman’s act of painting a leaf to restore her will to live. The story shows that in moments of despair, even a small act of kindness can inspire hope. Behrman’s sacrifice, done silently and without expecting recognition, teaches us that real heroism lies in selflessness. It is hope and sacrifice that turn this simple tale into a powerful and emotional lesson on human connection.
43. What role does art play in the story?
🟥 Art plays a crucial role in “The Last Leaf.” Behrman, a struggling artist, uses his talent not for fame but for a noble cause. His painting of a single leaf becomes the turning point in Johnsy’s life. It’s through art that he expresses his care and ultimately saves her. The story reflects how true art is not just about aesthetics—it can carry emotion, meaning, and even life-changing power. Behrman’s final artwork, though small and unnoticed by the world, became his masterpiece because it inspired hope. The story celebrates the ability of art to heal, give hope, and express love.
44. What does Johnsy’s transformation in the story signify?
🟨 Johnsy starts off as hopeless, counting ivy leaves and waiting for death. She believes that her fate is tied to the falling leaves, losing all interest in living. However, the mysterious survival of the last leaf—unbeknownst to her, a painting by Behrman—changes her outlook. She begins to value life again and decides to fight the illness. This transformation signifies that with even a glimmer of hope, the human spirit can revive. It shows that mental strength and the support of loved ones can heal. Her journey from despair to hope teaches readers about resilience and the importance of belief.
45. Explain the symbolic meaning of the “last leaf.”
🟧 The “last leaf” in the story is more than just a leaf—it is a symbol of hope, strength, and sacrifice. For Johnsy, the falling leaves represent her dying spirit. But when the last leaf stays despite the storm, she finds a new will to live. It represents the strength of the human spirit. Symbolically, it also stands for Behrman’s sacrifice—his final and greatest work. Though he died painting it, the leaf carried the power to heal. Thus, the last leaf becomes a metaphor for the beauty of love and how even small acts can have life-saving power.
✅ 46–50: Value-Based Questions
46. What moral does “The Last Leaf” teach us?
🟦 That hope, sacrifice, and selfless love can save lives.
47. How does Behrman’s action inspire us?
🟩 His silent sacrifice teaches us to help others without expecting reward.
48. Why is it important to support people emotionally?
🟥 Because emotional support can revive hope and strength in others.
49. What values do we learn from Sue and Behrman?
🟨 Compassion, selflessness, love, and the will to stand by others.
50. How can art influence lives as shown in the story?
🟧 Art can inspire, heal, and save lives when it carries meaning and emotions