Gianna Gamo Ms.
Rogielyn Baloto
11 – Onesta Reading
& Writing
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
"The Last Leaf" is a short story written by author, O. Henry, and published in the year
1907. The author tells of a heart-touching story about making sacrifices and
finding the will to live in times of hopelessness. The story is insightful in a
way that it gives its readers valuable lessons through the lives and actions of
the characters. It is also a very meaningful story that tackles on why we live
and what do we live for. Henry’s work is quite metaphoric and had underlying
meaning to it, which is what makes the story exciting and interesting to read. It
is a short story, but there is a clear message that comes across to the readers
after reading it.
The story revolves around two artists, namely Sue and
Johnsy, who became friends through their mutual interest in Arts. They live together
in Greenwich village, the setting of the story, which was described to be an area
full of artists and painters. The description of the cold rainy weather sets a
gloomy mood of the story. One day, Johnsy falls severely ill due to pneumonia,
causing her to feel hopeless. She then started to count the falling leaves
outside her window; claiming that she will die once the last leaf has fallen. Sue
asks for help from a doctor, who then reveals that Johnsy needed to find a will
to live if she wanted to survive. One day, Sue visits her neighbor, Mr.
Bernham, a fellow artist, to ask him to model for her new artwork. Sue also
informs Mr. Bernham of Johnsy’s poor condition. The morning after, Johnsy requests
Sue to open the curtains as she expects the last leaf to have fallen the night
before, to their surprise, the leaf remains despite the harsh rainy night. This
causes Johnsy to feel better, and the doctor assures the two that Johnsy was
indeed getting better. The doctor also informs the two of Mr. Bernham, who was
found dead outside in the cold last night alongside a palette with paint.
The story is written in a way that the mood and
atmosphere of the story can be felt by its readers. It’s is not at all a complicated
story, but in reading, it does require a wide understanding in order to not
miss the point of the story. I liked how the author was able to give emphasis
on the value of friendship, which was shown through the determination and
efforts of Sue to make her ill friend feel better despite her losing the will
to live. The twist revealed at the end of the story really gives an impact to
its readers emotions as it touches on selflessness and making sacrifices for
the sake of others. Personally, I was very fascinated with the story of Mr.
Bernham, who was revealed to be an unsuccessful artist who had yet to reveal
his “masterpiece”, and later on, his last and final work turned out to be the “masterpiece”
that would save Johnsy’s life.
This story is worth reading because it entails such a
heart-touching message, leaving its readers with a better understanding and
appreciation of life. “The Last Leaf” does a good job of tackling true
friendship as you go through the story. The author succeeded in exemplifying
how important it is to have a purpose to live, as well as portraying the value
of putting others before ourselves. The story itself is art; it tells the story
in a creative manner rather than flat-out giving the meaning to the readers. It
is quite a metaphoric and unique story in its own way, it is short, yet it surely
leaves a mark on the readers, as well as providing them with valuable lessons
to treasure for life.
✅
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