The Last Leaf (Henry): Difference between revisions

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The Last Leaf

1907

Summary of the book
from the Collection «The Trimmed Lamp and Other Stories»

Sue and Johnsy were two young artists living in an old studio in Greenwich Village. Johnsy was very ill with pneumonia, and the doctor warned that her chances of survival were slim. Johnsy had given up hope and was certain that when the last leaf on the ivy vine outside her window fell, she too would die.

🧒🏼

Johnsy — a young female artist from California; suffering from pneumonia.

💁🏻‍♀️

Sue — Johnsy's friend from Maine and painting partner; strong, caring, and confident.

Sue enlisted the help of the old painter Behrman, who lived in the floor below them. Behrman was a failure in art and had been trying to paint his masterpiece for forty years. He was fiercely protective of the two young women and agreed to pose as the hermit-miner for Sue's drawing.

🧔🏻

Mr. Behrman — an old artist living below Johnsy and Sue, fiercely loyal and protective of them.

That night a fierce storm blew, but the last leaf on the ivy vine still clung to its stem. Johnsy was determined to watch it fall, and Sue reluctantly raised the shade for her. The next morning, Johnsy was still alive, and the leaf was still there. She realized that her desire to die had been foolish and selfish and began to take an interest in life again.

Sue revealed to Johnsy that Behrman had died of pneumonia the day before, and that he had gone out in the storm the night before to paint the last ivy leaf onto the wall. His masterpiece was a sign to Johnsy that life was worth living, and that she should not give up hope. With good care, Johnsy eventually recovered.

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
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-Johnsy and Sue were two artists living in a studio in Greenwich Village.
+Sue and Johnsy were two young artists living in an old studio in Greenwich Village. Johnsy was very ill with pneumonia, and the doctor warned that her chances of survival were slim. Johnsy had given up hope and was certain that when the last leaf on the ivy vine outside her window fell, she too would die.
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-One day, Johnsy fell ill with pneumonia, and the doctor told Sue that her chances of survival were only 10%. Johnsy believed that when the last leaf of an ivy vine outside her window fell, she would also die.
+Sue enlisted the help of the old painter Behrman, who lived in the floor below them. Behrman was a failure in art and had been trying to paint his masterpiece for forty years. He was fiercely protective of the two young women and agreed to pose as the hermit-miner for Sue's drawing.
-Sue called on their neighbor, Behrman, to be her model for a drawing, but he refused.
 {{Character
@@ Line 37: / Line 35: @@
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-She called him a “horrid old flibbertigibbet” and he agreed to pose. When they looked out the window, they saw that the last leaf remained despite the rain and wind.
+That night a fierce storm blew, but the last leaf on the ivy vine still clung to its stem. Johnsy was determined to watch it fall, and Sue reluctantly raised the shade for her. The next morning, Johnsy was still alive, and the leaf was still there. She realized that her desire to die had been foolish and selfish and began to take an interest in life again.
-Johnsy commanded Sue to raise the shade, and the leaf was still there. She believed that it was a sign from God that she should live. She asked for a mirror, and then some broth and milk with wine.
-The next day, the doctor told Sue that Johnsy was out of danger. Later, Sue told Johnsy that Behrman had died of pneumonia. She revealed that Behrman had gone out in the storm and painted the last leaf on the wall, so that Johnsy would be inspired to keep fighting and live.
+Sue revealed to Johnsy that Behrman had died of pneumonia the day before, and that he had gone out in the storm the night before to paint the last ivy leaf onto the wall. His masterpiece was a sign to Johnsy that life was worth living, and that she should not give up hope. With good care, Johnsy eventually recovered.
 {{End of text}}