I.                  INTRODUCTION

Literature is said to be the reflection of one’s life. Reading some literary analysis makes me feel that like I am in another world which makes my knowledge wide which I can use in my study and also to my daily living.

II.             LITERARY PIECE

TITLE:                the last leaf

AUTHOR:  o. Henry

III.         LITERARY ANALYSIS

SETTING:

Greenwich Village

Characters:

Johnsy, Sue, Mr. Behrman

Plot:

Exposition:

Greenwich Village is an old town where people enthralled by paintings and art came. At the topmost floor of a squeaky three-story building lived Sue and Johnsy (nickname for Joanna). They met at a restaurant where they found out that they share the same interests when it comes to art and food.

Rising Action:

Six months after Sue and Johnsy started with their joint studio, Johnsy was sick with pneumonia, like others in their town. She had very little chance to live, and Sue was saddened. Johnsy said that if the last leaf on the Ivy vine fell, she would pass away. Sue went on to do an art piece, while she requested Johnsy not to look at what she was painting. She preceded and called Behrmen, Behrmen was an old guy, but after hearing Johnsy’s plan, he was upset. He went on to go to the duo’s room, and did something with the thought of Sue.

Climax:

After the sun rose, Johnsy saw the ivy vine and no leaf fell. She was shocked, and watched the leaf for a very one time. Finally, Johnsy realized that she had been a bad girl because of that thought. She finally ate food after not eating because she thought that she would pass away already.

Falling Action:

The doctor arrived at their art studio. He said that Johnsy’s condition is improving at a very good rate. However, the doctor said that Behrman is also having difficulty because of pneumonia. He went on to Behrman’s studio and tried to treat him. The next day, the doctor came once again and said to Sue. “She’s out of danger. You won. Nutrition and care now – that’s all.”

Denouement:

While Sue was talking to Johnsy, they went on and talked about Behrman. He died at the hospital ago, despite being ill in a measly two days. The janitor found him in a bad condition, mainly because his clothing were wet and icy cold. They found a lantern beside him, together with equipment for painting. Sue instructed her to look at the window, and ask her why she thinks that the last leaf never fell. It never fell because it was Behrman’s masterpiece, and he painted it the night the last leaf fell.

Conflict:

In "The Last Leaf", the first conflict is whether the last leaf will drop or not. To be more clear if  Johnsy will die or not. The second one is whether Behrman will paint a masterpiece or not.

Point of view:

I think the point of view of "The Last leaf" is Omniscient 3rd person point of view. o, Henry controls the story without a view of a character.

Theme:

To provide hope for other people even if it means sacrificing one's life.

IV.         CONCLUSION

This story is that you should never judge someone by what they appear to be, but by their actions. Behrman acts fierce and aggressive, but his actions show how much he cares about Johnsy. I learned to judge people, not by their looks, but by their actions, because ultimately, actions are the things that make an impact
passion, hope and personal sacrifice. O'Henry give people hope in a quickly transforming world where big business and technology were taking over artsy New York. I think the themes of the story are Life follows Art, and Mind over Matter