The Last Leaf

The Last Leaf

Think about it

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

Answer: Johnsy suffers from pneumonia. Her willingness to live can cure her. The doctor says that it seems as if she has made up her mind that she is not going to get well; and that if she does not want to live, medicines will not help her.

Question 2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers?

Answer: Yes, I think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers these days. Teenagers are nowadays under constant pressure from their busy schedule and tough competition. They want to do their best; they even ignore their daily routine and hence damage their health; and they don’t keep patience, which leads them to depression.

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

Answer: Behrman has a dream to paint a masterpiece, but his dream remains unfulfilled. It comes true with his death when he paints the last leaf as real as the natural one on an ivy creeper.

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

Answer: Behrman’s painting of an ivy leaf on the wall turns out to be his masterpiece.

Sue says that the painting of the ivy leaf on the wall is a masterpiece of Behrman as Johnsy is unable to detect that it is an unreal one, also arouses in her the desire to live and gets recovered soon.