Analysis of “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry

by | Sep 6, 2023 | literature

TITLE: The last leaf by O’ henry

GENRE: (What kind of literary piece is it?
e.g short story)
AUTHOR and his/her Background:
(provide brief background of the author)
ANALYSIS OF THE ELEMENTS:
1.) PLOT (Based on your understanding)
a. Exposition –
b. Rising Action –
c. Climax-
d. Falling action-
e. Denouement-
2.) THEME: (5-7 sentences)
(What is the central idea of the literary piece?)
(How is that theme evident in the story? Provide evidences)
(How does that theme reflect the society in real life?)
3. Characters and characterization
(List down the characters of the story together with their descriptions)
(Identify them as protagonist or antagonist / Flat or Round character)
4. Setting ( 5-7 sentences)
(What is/are the setting of the story? Describe it.)
(How does the setting help in the development of the story?)
5. CONFLICT (5-7 sentences)
(What is the main conflict in the story?)
(What type of conflict exist in the story)
(Does the conflict of the story reflect in real life? HOW?)
6. POINT OF VIEW
(What type of point of view is used in the story? Provide evidences. )
LITERARY DEVICES present in the story:
A. SYMBOLISM – (What are the symbols present in the story? Explain each symbols)
B. FIGURE OF SPEECH- (What are the types of figure of speech used in the story? Provide evidences.)
C. SENSORY IMAGERY- (What are the types of sensory imagery present in the story? Provide evidences.)

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Analysis of “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry
Genre
“The Last Leaf” is a short story written by O. Henry.

Author and Background
William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer born on September 11, 1862. He is known for his short stories, which often feature surprise endings and themes of sacrifice, irony, and the struggles of ordinary people. O. Henry’s works are beloved for their wit, clever wordplay, and ability to capture the essence of human nature.

Analysis of the Elements
Plot

Exposition: The story is set in Greenwich Village in New York City, where two young artists, Johnsy and Sue, live together in an apartment.
Rising Action: Johnsy falls ill with pneumonia and becomes convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls from the ivy vine outside her window.
Climax: The last leaf on the vine does not fall, despite a severe storm, which gives Johnsy hope and a desire to fight for her life.
Falling Action: Sue reveals to Johnsy that the last leaf was actually painted by their elderly neighbor, Mr. Behrman, who sacrificed himself for Johnsy’s sake.
Denouement: Johnsy is inspired by Mr. Behrman’s sacrifice and regains hope and will to live.
Theme The central theme of “The Last Leaf” is the power of art and sacrifice. The story explores how art can inspire hope, bring people together, and symbolize the beauty and resilience of life. The theme is evident in the story through various elements:

The painting of the last leaf represents the artistic expression and selflessness of Mr. Behrman, who sacrifices himself to give Johnsy hope.
Mr. Behrman’s act of painting the leaf symbolizes the power of art to inspire and bring comfort in times of despair.
The story also highlights the importance of friendship and support as Sue remains by Johnsy’s side throughout her illness, providing emotional support and encouraging her to fight.
In real life, this theme reflects how art can touch people’s lives, inspire hope, and create connections. It also emphasizes the significance of selflessness and sacrifice in uplifting others.

Characters and Characterization
Johnsy: Protagonist; a young artist who falls ill with pneumonia and loses hope until she finds inspiration in the last leaf.
Sue: Protagonist; Johnsy’s friend and fellow artist who cares deeply for her and supports her throughout her illness.
Mr. Behrman: The elderly neighbor who is a struggling artist himself. He paints the last leaf to give Johnsy hope and sacrifices himself in the process.
Setting The story is set in Greenwich Village in New York City during autumn. The setting is described as a bohemian neighborhood with narrow streets and small apartments. The cold weather and falling leaves create a melancholic atmosphere that reflects the characters’ emotions.
The setting helps in the development of the story by creating a sense of isolation and vulnerability, mirroring Johnsy’s declining health. The falling leaves symbolize the passing of time and the transient nature of life.

Conflict The main conflict in the story is internal, within Johnsy herself. She battles with her will to live as she believes that when the last leaf falls, she will die. This conflict represents the struggle between hopelessness and the desire to fight for life.
The conflict reflects real-life struggles faced by individuals dealing with serious illnesses or difficult circumstances. It explores how one’s mindset and perception can greatly impact their ability to overcome challenges.

Point of View The story is told from a third-person limited point of view. This is evident through the use of pronouns such as “he,” “she,” or characters’ names without delving into their thoughts or feelings.
Literary Devices Present in the Story
A. Symbolism

The last leaf: Symbolizes hope, resilience, and sacrifice.
Ivy vine: Represents life’s interconnectedness and enduring strength.
Pneumonia: Symbolizes illness and mortality.
B. Figures of Speech

Personification: “Autumn turned its face to winter.” (Giving autumn human characteristics)
Simile: “Her face was thin and peaked.” (Comparing her face to something thin and peaked)
C. Sensory Imagery

Visual Imagery: Description of the ivy vine, the last leaf clinging to it, and the stormy weather.
Auditory Imagery: The sound of wind blowing through the empty branches.

In conclusion, “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry is a poignant short story that explores themes of art, sacrifice, hope, and resilience. Through its well-crafted plot, relatable characters, symbolic elements, and vivid setting, the story captures the essence of human emotions and the power of friendship and selflessness in overcoming challenges.

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