Class 9 English - BIHAR
Supplementary: The Last Leaf
Supplementary: The Last Leaf by O. Henry is a touching story of friendship, hope, and the will to live, set in a Greenwich Village art colony. It follows Johnsy, a young artist suffering from pneumonia, who ties her life to the falling ivy leaves outside her window. The story highlights the selfless sacrifice of an old, failed artist named Behrman, who paints a masterpiece—a single, unchanging ivy leaf—on the wall during a stormy night to save Johnsy's life, sacrificing his own in the process. For Bihar (BSEB) students, this chapter is vital for board exams as it tests reading comprehension, character analysis, and thematic understanding.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Setting and Atmosphere
The story is set in an artistic district of New York during a cold November, reflecting the gloomy atmosphere of pneumonia and despair through harsh weather and falling leaves.
Johnsy's Illness and Pessimism
Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia and develops a fatalistic belief that she will die when the last ivy leaf on the vine outside falls.
Sue's Role as a Friend
Sue is a caring and practical friend who tries desperately to divert Johnsy's mind from her morbid thoughts and seeks help from their neighbor, Behrman.
Behrman's Masterpiece
Behrman, an aging artist who always dreamed of painting a masterpiece, paints a realistic leaf on the wall in the freezing rain, ultimately saving Johnsy's life while losing his own.
Theme of Sacrifice and Hope
The chapter emphasizes how psychological strength, hope, and selflessness can conquer fatal illnesses and physical hardships.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Questions often include short answer questions about characters like Behrman and Johnsy, long answer questions focusing on the central theme of sacrifice, and extract-based questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Johnsy was suffering from severe pneumonia and was mentally weak. She connected her remaining lifespan to the falling ivy leaves, believing she would die when the last leaf fell.
Johnsy was suffering from severe pneumonia and associated her remaining life with the falling ivy leaves, believing she would die when the last leaf dropped.
What was Behrman's masterpiece?
Behrman's masterpiece was the last ivy leaf painted on the brick wall during a stormy, freezing night, which looked so real that it deceived Johnsy and saved her life.
How did Behrman die?
Behrman died of pneumonia after spending a cold, wet night outside painting the fake ivy leaf on the wall to save Johnsy.
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