O. Henry/The Last Leaf

Students are to read the biographical information about O. Henry and respond to the following questions:



What is O. Henry considered the master of?
What is his real name?
Who raised him?
Why was he in prison?
How many short stories did he write?
What did he die of?


After completing this, students are to read "The Last Leaf" and complete the following assignment:

“The Last Leaf”-20pts
1. What example of personification can you find in the story? Why does the writer use personification?
2. Contrast what the doctor thinks is important to a young girl in life to what Sue thinks is important.
3. Where do we we see Sue's devotion to Johnsy in the story?
4. What does the story have to say about the connection between mind and body?
5. Which comes first in the story; Johnsy counting, "Twelve, eleven, ten.." or Johnsy explaining what she is counting. Why does the writer choose to put the events in that order?
6. Why does the writer choose to have the story take place in the winter?
7. Where in the story does Sue lie to Johnsy. Why does she lie?
8. Name two ways that we know that Johnsy has given up, and wants ot die.
9. In what way is Behrman like the leaf on the vine?
10. What is Behrman's reaction to what Sue tells him about Johnsy?
11. Why does the writer continually emphasize the beating rain and fierce gusts of wind? (Give Two reasons).
12. How does Sue try to convince Johnsy to fight to stay alive? Is she successful in her attempt? Why, or why not?
13. What signs are we given of Johnsy's change of heart about her illness?
14. In what way can Behrman's painting be called, "A Masterpiece"?
15. Why do you think that Johnsy never noticed that the last leaf never fluttered or moved?


Vocab-
zephyrs
pharmacopoeia
solicitously
satyr
imp