Character and

Symbolism in
the Story and
Gender
Relationships of
Character
OBJECTIVES

 Explain how the character and

symbolism in the story helps build its
theme. EN10LT-IIId-14.2
 Determine if gender relationships of
characters can affect one‘s action
or reaction to a situation EN10RC-
IIId-22.4
Give the meaning of the
underlined words based on how
they are used in the story.
1. They liked the bohemian life of the
village, and they enjoyed living
among so many artists.

2. Behrman had always wanted to

paint a masterpiece, but he had
never begun to paint it.
3. He was a fierce, intense little man
who considered himself as watchdog
and protector for the young artists
living above him, of whom he was
very fond.

4. Why do you permit such silly ideas

to come into her mind?
MOTIVATION

Have you ever made a

masterpiece? What was it? Why
did you consider it as a
masterpiece?
MOTIVE QUESTION

What was the masterpiece

mentioned in the selection?
BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR

O. Henry, whose real name is William

Sydney Porter, is one of the best known
American writers. He was best-known for
writing stories with surprise endings. In the
story ―The Last leaf,‖ a character connects
a withering vine with leaves blown out by
the coldness of autumn to her chance of
enduring a severe illness.