Class 9 English - KERALA
Supplementary: The Last Leaf
Supplementary: The Last Leaf by O. Henry is a touching story set in Greenwich Village, New York, focusing on two young artists, Johnsy and Sue. Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia and links her will to live with the falling ivy leaves outside her window, believing she will die when the last leaf falls. An old, failed artist named Behrman sacrifices his life to paint a hyper-realistic last leaf on the wall during a stormy night, giving Johnsy hope and saving her. This chapter is very important for Kerala State SCERT Class 9 board exams as it tests character analysis and thematic understanding.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Setting the Scene
The story takes place in Greenwich Village, an artists' colony in New York, during a cold and gloomy November when pneumonia is widespread.
Johnsy's Illness and Delusion
Johnsy suffers from pneumonia and becomes deeply depressed, associating her approaching death with the falling leaves of an old ivy vine outside her window.
Sue's Concern and Mr. Behrman
Sue worries deeply about her friend Johnsy and seeks help from their downstairs neighbor, Mr. Behrman, an aging unsuccessful painter who dreams of painting a masterpiece.
Behrman's Masterpiece
During a freezing, stormy night, Behrman paints a single, perfect ivy leaf on the brick wall to withstand the wind, sacrificing his own life to pneumonia in the process.
The Theme of Hope and Self-Sacrifice
The chapter highlights the power of hope in healing and how selfless sacrifice can save another human life.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In Kerala (SCERT) Class 9 English examinations, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 4 to 8 marks. Questions usually include paragraph-level answers, character sketches of Behrman or Sue, appreciation of themes like hope and sacrifice, and short-answer questions based on the plot twists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Johnsy count the falling ivy leaves?
Johnsy was suffering from severe pneumonia and had lost her will to live; she convinced herself that she would die when the very last ivy leaf fell from the creeper outside her window.
What was Mr. Behrman's masterpiece?
Behrman's masterpiece was the hyper-realistic ivy leaf he painted on the brick wall during a stormy, freezing night, which fooled Johnsy into thinking it was real and restored her will to live.
How did Behrman die?
Behrman died of pneumonia after spending a freezing, wet night outdoors painting the artificial ivy leaf on the wall to save Johnsy's life.
Learn Supplementary: The Last Leaf with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards