Class 9 English - ODISHA
Supplementary: The Last Leaf
Supplementary Chapter 'The Last Leaf' by O. Henry is a touching story about friendship, hope, and the will to live, prescribed for Class 9 students under the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha. It revolves around Johnsy, a young artist suffering from pneumonia, who pins her fragile 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 on a stormy night to save Johnsy, giving up his own life in the process. This chapter is very important for board exams as it tests narrative comprehension, character analysis, and value-based questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Pneumonia and Hopelessness
Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia during the cold November in Greenwich Village, and her pessimistic mindset makes her believe she will die when the last ivy leaf falls.
Friendship and Care
Sue, Johnsy's roommate and fellow artist, shows true friendship by trying her best to divert Johnsy's mind from her illness and seeking help from their neighbor, Behrman.
Behrman's Masterpiece
Behrman, an old struggling artist who always dreamed of painting a masterpiece, finally creates one by painting a realistic green-and-yellow ivy leaf on the brick wall during a freezing, rainy night.
The Power of Hope
The story emphasizes that positive thinking and the will to live are crucial medicines, as Johnsy regains her desire to live after seeing the persistent leaf.
Theme of Ultimate Sacrifice
Behrman catches pneumonia while painting the leaf in the storm and dies, making the ultimate sacrifice to save a young life.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the BSE Odisha Class 9 English examination, this supplementary chapter usually carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions about character traits (especially Behrman and Sue), long-type questions analyzing the theme of hope and sacrifice, and multiple-choice questions based on plot details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Johnsy count the falling ivy leaves?
Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia and had lost her will to live; she superstitiously believed that she would die when the very last ivy leaf fell from the vine outside her window.
What was Behrman's masterpiece?
Behrman's masterpiece was the last ivy leaf painted on the brick wall on a stormy, freezing night, which looked so real that it tricked Johnsy into thinking it was a real leaf, thereby saving her life.
How did Behrman die?
Behrman died of pneumonia after spending a cold and wet night outside painting the artificial leaf on the wall during a fierce storm.
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