O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf” is a touching short story about hope, sacrifice, and the power of art. Set in Greenwich Village, New York, the story revolves around two young women, Sue and Johnsy, and their elderly neighbor, Behrman. It is a classic example of O. Henry’s signature style, known for its twist endings and deep emotional impact.

1. Plot Summary

Exposition:

The story introduces two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, who live together in a small apartment. As winter arrives, Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia. She becomes hopeless and believes she will die when the last leaf of a vine outside their window falls.

Rising Action:

Despite Sue’s attempts to cheer her up, Johnsy remains convinced that her life is tied to the falling leaves. Their elderly neighbor, Behrman, a failed artist, learns about Johnsy’s belief. He has always wanted to paint a masterpiece but never succeeded.

Climax:

A terrible storm rages through the night, and Johnsy expects the final leaf to fall. However, in the morning, the last leaf remains on the vine, giving her newfound hope. She regains the will to live and starts recovering.

Falling Action & Resolution:

Sue later learns that Behrman had painted the last leaf on the wall to give Johnsy hope. He went out in the storm to create his masterpiece, caught pneumonia, and died. His selfless sacrifice helped Johnsy regain her will to live.

2. Characterization

Johnsy:

A young artist who falls ill with pneumonia.
Becomes deeply pessimistic and believes she will die when the last leaf falls.
Her transformation from despair to hope is central to the story.

Sue:

Johnsy’s devoted friend and caretaker.
Tries to uplift Johnsy’s spirit and seeks Behrman’s help.
Represents loyalty and love.

Behrman:

An elderly artist who never achieved success in painting.
Acts gruff and tough but has a deeply compassionate heart.
Sacrifices himself to save Johnsy, making the last leaf his greatest masterpiece.

3. Themes in “The Last Leaf”

Hope and the Power of Willpower

Johnsy’s illness worsens as she loses the will to live.
The painted leaf symbolizes resilience and restores her hope.

Sacrifice and Selflessness

Behrman risks his life to give Johnsy hope.
His final act of kindness is his true artistic masterpiece.

Art as a Source of Life

Behrman’s painting is not just a piece of art—it saves a life.
O. Henry highlights how art can inspire, heal, and bring meaning.

4. Narrative & Literary Techniques

Narrative Style & Point of View

The story is written in third-person omniscient narration.
The narrator provides insight into all characters’ emotions.

Symbolism

The Last Leaf: A symbol of hope and perseverance.
The Storm: Represents the hardships and struggles of life.
Behrman’s Painting: A metaphor for the power of selfless love.

Irony & Twist Ending

Situational Irony: Johnsy lives, but Behrman, the man who saved her, dies.
The twist ending is unexpected and emotionally powerful.

5. Structure of the Story

Simple yet impactful plot that follows a linear structure.
Balanced pacing with a strong emotional buildup.
Ends with an unexpected yet deeply meaningful resolution.

Detailed Summary of “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry

O. Henry’s short story “The Last Leaf” is a touching tale of hope, friendship, sacrifice, and the power of art. It takes place in Greenwich Village, New York, in the early 20th century, a neighborhood known for its struggling artists. The story revolves around two young women, Sue and Johnsy, and an elderly painter named Behrman, whose unexpected act of selflessness becomes the heart of the story.

Exposition: Introduction of the Characters and Setting

Sue and Johnsy are two young aspiring artists who live together in a small apartment in Greenwich Village. They share a deep bond of friendship and support each other in their artistic pursuits. However, as winter arrives, a deadly outbreak of pneumonia spreads through the city, affecting many people, including Johnsy.

Johnsy becomes gravely ill, bedridden, and hopeless. She loses her will to live, believing that she will die soon. As she lies in bed, she watches a vine growing outside their window, slowly shedding its autumn leaves. She convinces herself that her life is connected to the falling leaves—when the last leaf falls, she believes she will die.

Rising Action: Johnsy’s Declining Health and Growing Despair

Sue, deeply worried about her friend, tries everything to lift Johnsy’s spirits. She talks positively about Johnsy’s future as an artist, encourages her to eat, and takes care of her day and night. However, Johnsy remains fixated on the vine outside their window, watching as its leaves fall one by one. She counts each leaf as it drops, waiting for the last one to signal her death.

Sue consults Doctor, who tells her that Johnsy’s recovery depends more on her mental state than medicine—she must regain her will to live. The doctor warns that if Johnsy loses hope, no medicine can save her.

Desperate, Sue turns to their elderly neighbor, Behrman, for help. Behrman is a poor, unsuccessful painter who has been dreaming of creating a great masterpiece all his life but has never managed to do so. He is gruff and rough in his manners but has a kind heart. When Sue tells him about Johnsy’s belief that she will die when the last leaf falls, Behrman scoffs at the idea, calling it foolish. However, he is deeply moved by Johnsy’s suffering.

Climax: The Last Leaf Remains

That night, a terrible storm sweeps through the city, with heavy rain and strong winds. In the morning, Johnsy wakes up and expects to see the last leaf gone—but to her surprise, it is still there, clinging stubbornly to the vine despite the harsh storm.

Seeing the unyielding leaf, Johnsy has a sudden change of heart. She realizes she was wrong to lose hope and that she must fight for her life. Encouraged by the leaf’s endurance, she begins to recover, eating food and responding positively to treatment.

Falling Action: The Truth About the Last Leaf

As Johnsy begins to regain her health, Sue receives devastating news—Behrman has died of pneumonia.

The previous night, during the storm, Behrman had gone outside in the freezing cold to paint a perfect replica of a leaf on the wall, right where the last real leaf had fallen. He spent hours in the rain, carefully painting a realistic leaf, ensuring that Johnsy would wake up and still see hope.

After finishing the painting, he caught pneumonia and died two days later.

Resolution: The Meaning of Behrman’s Masterpiece

Sue reveals to Johnsy that the last leaf was never real—it was Behrman’s painting. He had sacrificed his own life to give her hope and a reason to fight. In the end, Behrman’s long-awaited masterpiece was not a famous painting for the world to admire, but a simple leaf that saved a life.

Johnsy, now fully aware of Behrman’s sacrifice, understands the true value of hope, selflessness, and perseverance. She realizes that life is precious, and that she must live for the people who care for her.

Moral and Message of the Story

Hope can heal: Johnsy’s recovery was not just because of medicine but because she found the will to live.
Art has the power to inspire: Behrman’s painting was more than just a picture—it was an act of love that gave Johnsy a new lease on life.
Sacrifice and kindness make a difference: Behrman gave up his life for someone else’s happiness, proving that true art lies in selflessness.

Conclusion

“The Last Leaf” is a heartwarming and deeply emotional story that highlights the power of hope, friendship, and sacrifice. O. Henry masterfully combines poetic symbolism with irony, creating a tale that leaves a lasting impact on readers. The story reminds us that even small acts of kindness can change lives, and that true art is not just about skill, but about touching hearts.

“The Last Leaf” by O. Henry