Teen Reader
“The Last Leaf” (1905)
“The Last Leaf” (Text Version)
“The Last Leaf” (Audio Version)
O. Henry (born September 11, 1862, Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.—died June 5, 1910, New York, New York), American short-story writer whose tales romanticized the commonplace—in particular the life of ordinary people in New York City. His stories expressed the effect of coincidence on character through humor, grim or ironic, and often had surprise endings, a device that became identified with his name and cost him critical favor when its vogue had passed. (Britannica.com)
“The Last Leaf” Discussion Questions
Why do you think O. Henry called the story “The Last Leaf?”
The author uses lots of figurative language, descriptive detail, and imagery in the story. What do you think are the strongest examples?
Why do you think O. Henry chooses to personify pneumonia? Was this an effective use of figurative
language? Explain.
How would you describe the relationship between Johnsy and Sue? How is their relationship important to the story?
Do you think Johnsy really believes that she will pass away with the last leaf? Why or why not? Cite
evidence from the text to support your thinking.
This story was published in 1907 and takes place around that time. Does the time period have an impact on the story? If the story took place today, would anything be different or not? Explain.
How does Johnsy’s point of view change across the story? How is this important to the central idea(s)?
O. Henry is famous for writing stories with a “twist,” or surprise at the end. What was the twist in this story? Were you surprised? Explain?
The author describes Behrman as a failed artist. Why is this significant to the story? Do you agree?
One of the central ideas of the story is hope. How is hope an important theme? What do you think
O. Henry message is about hope? What other central ideas may be found in this story?
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