Short Fiction · Chapter
The Last Leaf explained
In Greenwich Village, two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, share a studio.
What happens
In Greenwich Village, two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, share a studio. Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia and becomes convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls from an old ivy vine outside her window. Despite Sue's efforts to cheer her, Johnsy's condition worsens. Old Behrman, a failed painter living downstairs, secretly paints a realistic leaf on the wall during a stormy night. The leaf never falls, giving Johnsy the will to recover. Behrman dies of pneumonia, having sacrificed himself to create his masterpiece.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Behrman's painted leaf deceives Johnsy into believing it is real, which saves her life.
Love and Romance
Sue's selfless care for Johnsy and Behrman's ultimate sacrifice demonstrate profound love and friendship.
Ambition and Failure
Behrman is a failed artist who finally creates his masterpiece through a selfless act, not through conventional artistic success.
Characters to notice
- Sue
One of the two young artists; devoted friend who cares for Johnsy and enlists Behrman's help.
- Johnsy
The other artist; falls ill with pneumonia and becomes fixated on the falling ivy leaves as a symbol of her own death.
- Old Behrman
A failed painter living downstairs; sacrifices himself by painting the last leaf on the wall during a storm.
- The Doctor
The physician attending Johnsy; explains her slim chances and the importance of her will to live.
Key passages
“She has one chance in—let us say, ten, and that chance is for her to want to live.”
The doctor says Johnsy's only slim hope is her own will to survive.
The doctor emphasizes the psychological aspect of recovery.
“When the last one falls I must go, too.”
Johnsy believes she will die when the final ivy leaf drops.
Johnsy's morbid fancy links her fate to the leaves.
“It's Behrman's masterpiece—he painted it there the night that the last leaf fell.”
Behrman's final act was painting the leaf that saved Johnsy, creating his greatest work.
The revelation of Behrman's sacrifice and artistic triumph.