The Last Leaf
Introduction
The last leaf is a touching story of how a painter inspires a girl to live and, in the process, loses his life.
The Last Leaf Summary
Two friends Sue and Johnsy live together in a rented apartment. Johnsy contracts pneumonia and loses her
desire to live. She announces that she would die when the last leaf fell off the ivy creeper that could be seen
from the room’s window. When the last leaf falls off, their Neighbour, Mr. Behrman goes out in the storm to
paint one. This gives hope to Johnsy. On the other hand, Mr. Behrman contracts pneumonia and dies.
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
Q1. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
ANS. Johnsy, a young artist, was ill. She was suffering from pneumonia. But later on, she suffered from a
misconception that she would die as soon as the last leaf on the creeper would fall down. The medicine had
no effect on her. Her willingness to live could cure her.
Q2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has been common among teenagers?
ANS. Life has two aspects i.e. positive and negative. It depends upon us how we take it. Nowadays it is very
common that teenagers are getting depressed because of cut-throat competition. On the other hand, a
majority of teenagers who take life positively and faces difficulties boldly never lose hope and proceed
further.
Q3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
ANS. Behrman had a dream to paint a masterpiece in his life. He kept waiting for the opportunity to give it a
practical shape. Yes, he could materialize his dream when he painted the last leaf of the ivy creeper.
Q4. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
ANS. Behrman was a 60-year-old artist who had a dream to paint a masterpiece. His painting of an ivy leaf
was his masterpiece which saved the life of Johnsy. It was such a painting that it was not easy to make out
whether the leaf was real or it was just a painting. When Behrman died painting this life-saving painting, Sue
called it a masterpiece.
Q5. Have you ever felt depressed and dejected? How did you overcome such feelings? Share your
experience with your classmates.
ANS. Our life is full of troubles. To move ahead we have to face the troubles boldly. Sometimes because of
troublesome conditions we get depressed and dejected. We lose interest in the world around us. Pessimism
surrounds us. In this state of mind, we should try to think positively and get rid of this condition. Our faithful
friends can also be helpful in this regard. I felt depressed and dejected when I could not score good marks in
the final examination of Class VI. I was a meritorious student. I was sure that I would get the highest marks
in the class. Unfortunately, a month before the final exam, I suffered from severe typhoid. It continued for 15
days. I became weak and could not prepare properly for the exam. As a result, I got the lowest marks in the
class. But my parents and teachers consoled me by saying that it happens with everyone. They told me to be
confident and be prepared to do best in the next class.
