Discuss the themes in the story The Last Leaf.

Ans.

Death: The Last Leaf is a short story that entails the treasury of life and the existence of faith and hope. It need to the importance of living and how we deal with the hindrances we battle throughout our life story. It is a moving story across the traps that come across us in the most significant parts of our lives, the value of life is the centerpiece of story, where all the things go back and revolve…A part of this story gives us a hint that God is the only one who knows that whether we ride on with life and chances or trail on and be drawn against the judgement, the melodramatic and picturesque setting of the story connects to the negative status of main character facing life and death subject matter.

The title of this story conveys the theme of death. Last means very close to death or closely to be end. The life or growth of the tree or plant may be guessed through its branches and the condition of leaves. There were almost a hundred leaves, clinging with the stem but they were falling due to autumn season. Autumn is the mortal season for leaves. At the same time Johnsy fell ill due to pneumonia. Pneumonia is the symbol of death for human being and old Behrman dies of it. “When the last one falls I must go, 100.”

Pessimism and optimism: The system of this universe is based on two opposite things ie, day and night, black and white, good and bad, hope and frustration etc. The Last Leaf is very symbolic story which conveys the theme of pessimism and optimism. Pessimism deals with the darken aspects of life. As optimism is totally against to pessimism, it deals with the positive ways of life. It also can be said that optimism and pessimism are the two sides of a single coin. Johnsy always leads her life as a pessimist. Sue consoles Johnsy and she consults a painter to paint the fancy of Johnsy in an optimist way.

“When the last one falls I must go, too.”

“She was looking out the window and counting-counting backward.”

“It is a sin to want to die.”

Johnsy the main character seems to be a very pessimistic person. She has lost the entire positive attitude in life due to her disease and she is waiting for her death.

“Your little lady has made up her mind that she’s not going to get well.”

That is the first step of Johnsy that she has made up her mind that she will die when the last leaf falls. That signifies the mental and psychological condition of her and is describing the theme of pessimistic.

“She was looking out of window and counting-counting backwards.”

The psychological disturbances shown by O’ Henry in these lines as she is tired of waiting that when the last leaf falls, she will be near to death.

“When the last one falls I must go, too.”

Here in these lines Henry has showed extreme pessimism. “It is the last one”, said Johnsy, “I thought it would surely fall during the night. I heard the wind. It will fall today. and I shall die at the same time.”

These words uttered by Johnsy again show her desperate and chaotic state of mind. She has supposed the things which have no logic and waiting for her death, or waiting for the last leaf to fall.

Self-sacrifice: Mr. Behrman risks his life for Johnsy. He has sacrificed his own life, to give life to Johnsy the painting he made at the wall, shows his self-sacrificing, kind and noble nature. He himself catches pneumonia and dies, but he didn’t let Johnsy die.

With the character of Mr. Behrman, O’ Henry is showing the sacrificing nature of a man and it gives us message that self-sacrificing is a great deed and one has to be kind and gentle towards others.

“Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia today in hospital.”

Hope: Theme of hope is very nicely presented in this story. Doctor is a very optimistic person and he tries to make Johnsy realize that she has made her mind that she will die when the last leaf falls that could be harmful for her. He told her that he can only provide her medicine and that is effective as 50 percent, the next condition is in her hand.

“I subtract 50 percent from the curative power of medicines.”

“If you will get her to ask one question about the new writer styles in cloak sleeves I will promise you one-in-five chance for her, instead of.”

So O’ Henry conveys message one never let go for hope and optimist approach in life. It is our state of mind which can bring worse or better for us in our lives.

“Sudie, someday I hope to paint the bay of Naples.”

These lines show Johnsy’s desires and aspirations. It gives the picture of hope and this hope in life gives us the spirit of living in this world.

Hope is also one of the major themes in The Last Leaf. The system of this universe is running at the idea of hope. We dream for future life due to hope. For example, if an old man is seriously ill still he is dreaming for his recovery because of hope. He does not think about the black or fatal bird. The significance of the leaf is life and nurture. Leaf’s the hope of life for tree or plant, When Johnsy sees the painted leaf against the wall through the window then she says.

“Something has made that last leaf stay there to show me how wicked I was. It is a sin to want to die.”

The doctor said to Sue, “She’s out of danger. You’ve won.”

Love and friendship: In The Last Leaf. O’ Henry describes friendship and bondage between two friends. They care and love each other, and Sue supports Johnsy morally when she falls ill. She proves to be great support for Johnsy and she tries her level best to bring back Johnsy towards life and in the world of optimism.

“Dear, Dear !” said she, learning her won face down to the pillow “think of me, if you won’t think of yourself. What would I do ?” These lines show the effective relationship between two friends. Mr. Behrman also shows great deal of love for these girls. Although he is a bit careless person but he really cared for Johnsy and his love is shown by his painting for the sake of Johnsy’s life.

The Last Leaf shows the theme of friendship and sacrifice. Friendship is such a relationship that is completed with the ties of sacrifice, sincerity, love, loyalties etc. Sue is friend of Johnsy and she progresses this relation through sacrifices.

Sue said, “Will you promise me to keep your eyes close, and not look out the window until I am done working?”