Page 15 - DENG105_ELECTIVE_ENGLISH_II

Elective English–II

Notes “Your little lady has made up her mind that she’s not going to get well. Has she anything on
her mind”
That is the first step of Johnsy that she has made up her mind that she will die when the last
leaf falls. That signifies the mental and psychological condition of hers and describes the
theme of pessimism.

“She was looking out of window and counting—counting backwards”.
The psychological disturbances shown by O. Henry in these lines as she is tired of waiting that
when the last leaf falls, she will be near to death. “When the last one falls I must go, too.”

Here in these lines Henry has showed extreme pessimism. It is the last one, said Johnsy “I
thought it would surely fall during the night. I heard the wind. It will fall today, and I shall
die at the same time.”
These words literated by Johnsy again show her desperate and chaotic state of mind. She has
supposed the things which have no logic and waiting for her death, or waiting for the last leaf
to fall.
Self-Sacrifice
Mr. Behrman risks his life for Johnsy. He has sacrificed his own life, to give life to Johnsy the
painting he made at the wall, shows his self sacrificing, kind and noble nature.
He himself catches the pneumonia and dies, but he didn’t let Johnsy to die.
With the character of Mr. Behrman, O. Henry is showing the sacrificing nature of a man and
it gives us a message that self sacrifice is a great deed and one has to be kind and gentle
towards others. “Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia today in hospital.”

Hope

Theme of hope is very nicely presented in this story. Doctor is a very optimistic person. He
tries to make Johnsy realise, that is she has made her mind that she will die when the last leaf
falls could be harmful for her. He told her that he can only provide her medicine and that is
effective as 50 per cent, the next situation is in her hand.
“I subtract 50 per cent from the curative power of medicines.” If you will get her to ask one
question about the new writer styles in cloak sleeves I will promise you one-in-five chance for
her, instead of”.
So O. Henry conveys message one never let go for hope and optimist approach in life. It is our
state of mind which can bring worse or better for us in our lives “Sadie, someday I hope to
paint the Bay of Naples”. These lines show Johnsy’s desires and aspirations. It gives the
picture of hope and this hope in life gives us the spirit of living in this world.
Love and Friendship
In The Last Leaf O. Henry describes friendship and bondage between two friends. They care
and love each other. Sue supports Johnsy morally when the latter falls ill. She proves to be
great support for Johnsy and she tries her level best to bring back Johnsy towards life and in
the world of optimism.
“Dear, Dear!” said she, leaning her own face down to the pillow “ think of me, if you won’t
think of yourself. What would I do?”
These lines show the effective relationship between two friends. Mr. Behrman also shows
great deal of love for these girls. Although he is a bit careless person but he really cared for
Johnsy and his love is shown by his painting for the sake of Johnsy’s life.

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