Analysis of 'The Last Leaf' by O. Henry

These flashcards cover key concepts, characters, and themes from the short story 'The Last Leaf' by O. Henry.

Plot

The main events of a story, including the big plot twist that the last leaf was actually a painting.

Theme

A central idea or message in a story, such as the power of hope in 'The Last Leaf'.

Man vs. self

A type of conflict where a character struggles with their own emotions or decisions, as seen with Johnsy's despair.

Mr. Behrman

A character who initially appears grumpy but shows self-sacrifice and nobility by giving Johnsy hope.

Symbol

An object or character representing larger ideas; in this case, the last leaf symbolizes the will to live.

Omniscient limited POV

A point of view that provides insight into the thoughts and feelings of one character, particularly Johnsy in this story.

Key theme

A universal statement about life; examples include the power of hope and not judging others by appearances.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces, including Man vs. circumstances and Man vs. man as shown in this story.