A touching story of how a painter inspires a girl to live and in the process, loses his life
Introduction to CBSE Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter "The Last Leaf”
The story begins with Johnsy falling ill with pneumonia and losing her will to live. She becomes convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls from a vine outside her window. Despite Sue’s efforts to reassure her, Johnsy remains despondent.
Meanwhile, a struggling artist named Behrman lives in the same building. He is an old man who has never achieved success in his art. When Behrman learns of Johnsy’s condition, he decides to paint a leaf on the vine outside her window to give her hope.
As the story unfolds, a heavy storm blows through the city, causing all the leaves on the vine to fall. However, one lone leaf remains, painted by Behrman. Inspired by the leaf’s resilience, Johnsy regains her will to live and begins to recover.
Tragically, Behrman catches pneumonia while painting the leaf and dies shortly after. His sacrifice, however, saves Johnsy’s life and serves as a reminder of the power of art and selfless acts of kindness.
Assignment and Activities for CBSE Class 9 English: “The Last Leaf “
- Write a character sketch of Johnsy, Sue, or Behrman, highlighting their traits and motivations.
- Create a storyboard depicting key scenes from the story, such as Behrman painting the leaf or Johnsy watching the last leaf.
- Write a letter from Sue to a friend, describing Johnsy’s illness and her feelings of helplessness.
- Conduct a debate on the theme of hope versus despair in the story.
- Write a short essay on the importance of friendship and sacrifice in times of adversity, using examples from the story.
Conclusion : “The Last Leaf”
“The Last Leaf” is a poignant story that explores themes of sacrifice, hope, and the power of art to inspire and uplift. It serves as a reminder of the importance of kindness, friendship, and selflessness in times of adversity. The story’s message is timeless, resonating with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
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Questions and Answers for CBSE Class 9 English: “The Last Leaf "
Q1: What is the significance of the last leaf to Johnsy?
ANS: Johnsy believes that she will die when the last leaf falls from the vine outside her window.
Q2: Why does Johnsy lose her will to live?
ANS: Johnsy loses her will to live after falling ill with pneumonia and becoming convinced that she will die.
Q3: How does Sue try to help Johnsy?
ANS: Sue tries to reassure Johnsy and keep her spirits up by talking to her and bringing her food and medicine.
Q4: What motivates Behrman to paint the last leaf?
ANS: Behrman is motivated by a desire to give Johnsy hope and save her life.
Q5: What is the outcome of Behrman’s sacrifice?
ANS: Behrman’s sacrifice saves Johnsy’s life but costs him his own.
Q6: How does the story demonstrate the power of art?
ANS: The story shows that art can inspire hope, bring comfort, and even save lives.
Q7: What role does the setting of the story play in its development?
ANS: The setting of the story, a small apartment in New York City, adds to the sense of isolation and vulnerability felt by the characters.
Q8: What does the last leaf symbolize?
ANS: The last leaf symbolizes hope, resilience, and the power of belief.
Q9: How does O. Henry use irony in the story?
ANS: O. Henry uses irony to show that Behrman, who has never achieved success in his art, ultimately creates a masterpiece that saves a life.
Q10: What is the central theme of “The Last Leaf”?
ANS: The central theme of the story is the power of selfless sacrifice and the importance of hope in the face of despair.
