Chapter 7 The Last Leaf

Johnsy was ill because she was suffering from pneumonia. Only her willingness to live can cure her. Prior to getting cured she started assuming that she was not going to get well. The doctor said that if she doesn’t want to live, then medicines would not help her that much.

The answer is yes. I think the feeling of depression johnsy is very common among all the teenagers. There is a constant pressure in the present lifestyle to be at the first position at every single stage of life in every field. They are over pressurized with studies and the curiosity of future prospects. They are also harmed by parental expectations and peer pressure. Abiding all of this, they are also expected to behave in a certain manner according to the society. Most of the times, they are not able to cope up with stress and end up being depressed.

Behrman was 60 years old painter. His lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece that become true. His dream come true when he paints a leaf that looks extremely natural. He painted the last leaf left on a creeper.

Behrman’s masterpiece is the last leaf that was made on the ivy creeper. Sue calls it a masterpiece because the painting brings back the willingness to live in johnsy’s heart and was able to recover from her illness. Johnsy thought that she would die if the last leaf fall from the ivy creeper. But Behrman spent the whole night in heavy storm to paint a fresh green leaf there. Although Behrman suffered from pneumonia disease as he got wet whole night while painting and then he died. However, when johnsy saw the leaf she thought it was real and this self belief made her realize that she could get well if she had the will and gut power to come out of her illness.