Class 9 English - TAMILNADU
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, Sue and Johnsy. When Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia, she loses her will to live and links her survival to the falling leaves of an ivy vine outside her window, believing she will die when the last leaf falls. Old Behrman, an unsuccessful painter, saves her life by painting a hyper-realistic leaf on the wall in the freezing rain, sacrificing his own life to pneumonia. This chapter is vital for Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi Class 9 board exams as it tests reading comprehension, character analysis, and thematic understanding.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Friendship and Care
Sue's unwavering support and care for the sick Johnsy highlight the power of true friendship during difficult times.
Psychological Impact of Hope
Johnsy's recovery is tied to her mental state; once she loses hope, her physical health deteriorates rapidly.
The Masterpiece
Old Behrman's painting of the last ivy leaf on the wall is his long-awaited masterpiece that saves a life.
Selflessness and Sacrifice
Behrman braves the stormy, freezing night to paint the leaf, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save Johnsy.
Irony
The story features situational irony when Behrman dies of pneumonia contracted while painting the fake leaf in the cold rain to save Johnsy.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 9 English board exams, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 5 to 10 marks. Questions usually include paragraph-type questions, character sketches (especially Behrman or Sue), and reference to context (RTC) questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Johnsy connect her life with the falling ivy leaves?
Johnsy was severely ill with pneumonia and had lost her will to live, convincing herself that she would die when the very last leaf fell from the ivy vine outside her window.
What was Behrman's masterpiece?
Behrman's masterpiece was the painted ivy leaf that he created on the brick wall during a stormy, freezing night, which looked so real that it tricked Johnsy into living.
How did Behrman die?
Behrman contracted pneumonia because he spent a freezing, wet night outside painting the last leaf on the wall to save Johnsy, resulting in his death two days later.
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