The Last Leaf is a story written by American writer O. Henry, which explorers the treasury of life and the inevitability of faith to tackle the adversities we come across in life. As death remains the central character, the story is an epitome of hope and faith, while life revolves around it. Commitment, sacrifice, friendship, compassion, hope, and dedication are brilliantly imbibed through the characters, and the story emerges as an ode to life itself.
Set in Greenwich Village, a bohemian neighbourhood in New York City, the story unravels through the eyes of two friends, Sue and Johnsy, as the latter suffers from pneumonia. As Johnsy was lying on her bed, she saw an old vine growing on a nearby wall, through her window, gradually shedding its leaves as autumn turns into winter, and she has taken the thought into her head that she will die when the last leaf falls. As more and more leaves fall, her health also degenerates. But the last leaf stays, she recovers quickly. Her health was attached to a leaf because she believed so.
Johnsy is the emissary of pessimism in the story, while Sue represents hope and friendship. She refused to believe the dull-witted notion of her friend and reinforces her filling life in her again. Behrman, the old unsuccessful artist, and their guardian also rebuke her claims. At the end of the story, he was able to paint his long-awaited masterpiece, referred not because its perfection, but because it saved a life. The leaf also plays an active role representing life, growth, and health. All the characters are true to their commitment, and the writer drives the story through them to expand to the central theme.
The story beautifully depicts that how much hope and faith can affect one’s physical being. What we call ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ cannot be defined in a better way.
So be hopeful, and life will turn out to be great.
No Comments
Leave a comment Cancel