ENGLISH [NCERT] S.R QUE [4M]

Behrman’s sacrifice is a shining example of selfless service. Though he did not know Johnsy personally, he risked and ultimately lost his life to save hers. Such values—sacrifice, compassion, and humanity—are rare but extremely important in society. They remind us that kindness and empathy can change lives. People like Behrman may die physically, but their actions make them immortal in the hearts of others. His gesture inspires us to care for others and to act with generosity and courage when it matters most.

Behrman was an old artist who lived in the same building as Sue and Johnsy. When he heard about Johnsy’s belief that she would die when the last leaf fell, he decided to do something to save her. He painted a realistic leaf on the wall during a stormy night so that Johnsy would believe the last leaf had not fallen. This gave her the will to live. Unfortunately, Behrman caught pneumonia while painting the leaf in the cold and died. His act shows that he was selfless, brave, and deeply humane, even towards someone he hardly knew.

Sue displayed qualities like maturity, compassion, and understanding. She recognized that Johnsy needed emotional support more than arguments. Instead of confronting Johnsy, she patiently comforted her and motivated her to live. Sue also convinced Behrman to paint a realistic leaf on the wall, giving Johnsy the hope she needed. These thoughtful and sincere efforts saved her friend’s life. Yes, a good friend should definitely have such qualities—being supportive, mature, and selfless during difficult times.

Johnsy believed that her life was linked to the falling leaves of an ivy creeper. She was suffering from pneumonia and had lost the will to live. She thought that when the last leaf fell, she would die. This baseless belief showed her mental weakness and depression. Sue, her friend, did not agree with this idea and told Johnsy that there was no connection between the leaves and her life. However, Sue handled the situation with sensitivity and did not argue with Johnsy, understanding her fragile condition.

Peer groups play a vital role in helping someone come out of depression. They can provide emotional support, motivation, and hope. In ‘The Last Leaf’, Sue acted wisely and sensitively. She didn’t scold or criticize Johnsy. Instead, she stayed by her side and sought help from Behrman, who painted a leaf on the wall to give Johnsy hope. This act helped Johnsy believe that the last leaf had not fallen, which led to her recovery. Thus, the positive support from her peers helped her come out of depression.

Johnsy, like many teenagers today, suffered from baseless fears and depression. She developed an unusual belief that her life was connected to the falling leaves of an ivy creeper. She felt she would die when the last leaf fell. Her health started deteriorating rapidly. Sue, her friend, understood that Johnsy’s problem was psychological and tried her best to support her. Though medicines didn’t help, Sue never gave up and remained emotionally supportive, showing great concern and care.

Behrman was a sixty-year-old unsuccessful painter, who lived in the same building as Sue and Johnsy and made his living by working as a live model for the other painters in the building. He was a day-dreamer in regard to his artistic skills and hoped to paint a masterpiece some day. He was a rational person otherwise, and scoffed at superstitions. Thus he questioned Johnsy’s superstitious belief about dying when the last ivy leaf fell. He was capable of extreme sacrifices and painted an ivy leaf on the wall in the rain because that would assuage Johnsy’s superstitious belief and give her the strength of spirit to want to live on. He was a quiet and unassuming person who did not like advertising his deeds and made the supreme sacrifice of his life by going out on a rainy night and painting the ivy leaf masterpiece that saved a human life.