How many figures of speech are used in the story The Last Leaf?

Ans.

Personification: A variety of figurative or metaphorical language in which things or ideas are treated as if they were human beings, with human attributes and feelings is called personification. In the very first line of this story, The Last Leaf, streets are personified by the writer but these streets symbolize human passions and relationships.

“The streets run crazy and broken themselves into small strips called ‘places’.”

Pneumonia is a serious kind of disease and may become the cause of death. Johnsy falls ill due to the prey of pneumonia while Behrman dies of it.

“Mr. Pneumonia was not what you would call a chivalric old gentleman.”

Simile/Metaphor: These deal with the relatedness of one thing to other with direct or indirect reference. Simile is the relatedness by ‘as’ or ‘like’. But metaphor is direct relation of one thing to the other on behalf of some quality. For example,

“Johnsy was lying white and still as a fallen statue.”

“Behrman had a Michael Angelo’s Moses beard curling down from the head of a satyr along the body of an imp.”

Comparison: It is a technique used by O’ Henry to explain things through contrast and comparison. It is based on the quality or quantity of something. Art and literature are very close to each other but the writer compares them on the level of their functions. He pleads,

“Young artists must pave their way to art by drawing pictures for magazine stories that young authors write to pave their way to literature.”

Symbolism/Imagery: This story also does have the devices of symbolism and imagery. Leaf deals with life, nutrition and growth as well. The symbol of shoes and icy cold is also used in this story. Shoes are the symbol of oppression, tyranny and death as well. The writer uses this symbol to show the death of Mr. Behrman.

“His soes and clothing were wet through the icy cold.”

Imagery is also very close to symbolism but it appeals to senses and feelings. There is a lot of colour imagery in this story.

“I have something to tell you, white mouse.”

The image of white mouse is used for Johnsy because she recovers her health now.

The white colour presents innocence and purity. “Johnsy was contentedly knitting a very blue and very useless woolen shoulder scarf.”