THE ASHOK LEYLAND SCHOOL HOSUR

CLASS IX 2021-22 ENGLISH

The Last Leaf
O Henry

Answer the following questions in detail

1. The story ‘The last leaf’ shows the power of the mind. Discuss.
Yes, the story reveals the power of one’s thoughts and the mind in making us
believe in something. In this story, we see that one of the characters, Johnsy, is
suffering from pneumonia. She believes that she will not survive, and as a result
even medicines have no effect on her. Even her doctor was worried about her
chances of recovery. Later, we see the power of the mind once again when she
recovers.

At this point, her belief was that she would only live as long as the last leaf stayed
on the creeper. When she sees that the leaf does not fall off despite the wind and
stormy conditions, it makes her believe that even she might be able to survive.
Even though it is not a real leaf, and was just painted by Behrman, Johnsy draws
inspiration from it, and slowly gains the will to live. Therefore, the story clearly
expresses the power of the mind in changing the course of our lives.

2. The story ‘The Last Leaf is a story of supreme sacrifice by an old artist. Do
you agree? What makes a masterpiece — money value or the supreme sacrifice?
Behrman was a poor old artist. He wanted to draw a masterpiece but he never
got a unique idea for that. Once Johnsy, a young artist, fell ill seriously and
developed a fanciful belief that she would die with the fall of the last leaf on the
creeper outside her window. Behrman painted the last leaf in the stormy night.
He himself got fever and fell down with pneumonia. He died two days after
painting the leaf.

It saved Johnsy’s life but took away the old painter’s life. It was a supreme
sacrifice of the old artist. The last leaf painted by him became his masterpiece.
It was a masterpiece not because of its monetary or artistic value. It was because
it saved someone’s life. It was a symbol of sacrifice by an artist for another one.
It is not the money value that makes the work great, it is the motive behind the
work that makes it great.

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Answer the following questions in two or three sentences.

1.Behrman has a dream what is it? Does it come true?

Behrman had a dream of painting a masterpiece. It did come true when he painted
the leaf on the wall on which the creeper was growing. The painting was so
realistic that it helped revive Johnsy who had been waiting for the last leaf on the
creeper to fall.
2.Describe the things Sue did to make Johnsy interested.
Sue tried her best to make Johnsy take an interest in things. She talked about
clothes and fashions. She started painting in Johnsy’s room so that she notices her
and even whistled while painting to divert her mind from illness.
3.How did Johnsy spend her days?
Johnsy spent her day lying on her bed. She kept looking out of the window and
counted the leaves that were remaining on the ivy creeper. At times, she also
slept.
4.Describe the strange belief of Johnsy. Did it come out to be true?
The strange belief of Johnsy was that she would die once the last leaf on the
creeper would die once the last leaf on the creeper would fall. Johnsy kept on
counting the remaining leaves on the ivy creeper outside her window. No, her
strange belief did not come true as the last painted leaf did not fall from the ivy
creeper outside her window.
5.What made Johnsy change her mind?
Johnsy change her mind when she saw that even after strong winds and heavy
rainfall, the leaf was still hanging on the creeper. She was filled with hope. She
also wanted to get cured soon and live just like the leaf which looked green and
healthy.
6.What quality of friendship do you find in Sue as a friend?
Sue was a loving and caring friend of Johnsy. She was the best friend of her as
Sue always provided her mental support. When her friend was obsessed with the
thought dying with the fall of the last leaf on the ivy creeper, she tried to look at
the positive side of things. She always convinced her friend to think positively
and never think about death. Obviously, she represents true friendships and
sacrifice in the story.

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7. What is the theme and message of the story?
The story explores the idea of the impact of true art, and what makes a painting a
true masterpiece. It also highlights the themes of selflessness and the supreme
sacrifice of self to save the life of another human being. It also explores the
loyalties of a true friendship, and the levels to which we can go to help a friend.
The story shares a message of the power of love and friendship. It reminds us that
selflessness is the highest virtue one can attain.
Extract based questions
Q1. He was a sixty-year old painter. His lifelong dream was to paint a
masterpiece but that had remained a dream. Sue poured out her worries to
Behrman.
[a] who is being talked about here?
The person being talked about here is Mr.Behrman

Why did Sue pour out her worries to Behrman?

Sue poured out her worries to Behrman because she was alarmed at her friend,
Johnsy’s deteriorating condition and wanted guidance and support from the
elderly well-wisher.

Why do you think Behrman listened to Sue?

Mr.Behrman, the old painter, listened to Sue because he was a compassionate
person and a good neighbour.
Q2.‘Oh, that’s nonsense”, replied Sue. “What have old ivy leaves to do with
your getting well? The doctor is confident that you will get better.” Jhonsy did
not say anything. Sue went and brought her with a bowl of soup.
[A] What ‘nonsense’ is referred in the extract?
The ‘nonsense’ referred in the extract is the belief of Jhonsy that she would die
as soon as the last leaf of the ivy creeper would fall.

[B] Was the doctor confident about Jhonsy?

No, the doctor was not at all confident about Jhonsy’s getting well.

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