The Last Leaf

THE LAST LEAF

1. What is Johnsy's illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live? 

Ans. Johnsy suffers from pneumonia. But her illness is more psychological than physical. She has lost all interest in life. She is certain that she is going to die. Now no medicine can help her. It is only her desire to live that can cure her. 

2. Do you think the fear Johnsy has is common among the teenagers? 

Ans. Yes, the fear Johnsy has is common among the teenagers. Teenagers are generally very imaginative. If a thing once gets into their mind, it becomes difficult to take it away. Therefore, it is important that teenagers should always think positively. The idea of death gets into Johnsy’s mind. She can't get rid of it easily. But in the end, only her willingness to live could save her life. 

3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true? 

Ans. Behrman's dream is to paint a masterpiece. This dream does come true but only with his death. He paints an ivy leaf on a wall. He works in the cold winter rain. He catches pneumonia and dies. His painting proves a masterpiece because it saved Johnsy’s life. 

4. What is Behrman's masterpiece? What makes Sue say so? 

Ans. Behrman paints an ivy leaf on a wall. This painting proves a masterpiece. His leaf inspired Johnsy’s desire to live again. That is why Sue calls it a masterpiece. 

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTION 

Q.1. What is the significance of the title of the story 'The Last Leaf? 

Ans. The title of the story is very significant. Johnsy was a young painter. Once she fell seriously ill. She had pneumonia. She would gaze at a creeper on a wall out of her window's room. Its leaves were falling due to strong winds. Johnsy saw the leaves falling. They were getting less day by day. She associated her life with the leaves. She started thinking that she would die when the last leaf of the creeper fell. Thus she had lost her will to live. It was the last leaf painted by old Behrman that saved Johnsy's life. It appeared exactly like a real leaf. Behrman had painted it during the cold and windy night. Behrman caught pneumonia. He died after two days. But the last leaf painted by the old painter made Johnsy regain her will to live. It saved her life. Thus the Last Leaf 'is the most apt title of the story.