CBSE Class 9 English Moments Notes Chapter 7: Chapter 7 of the CBSE Class 9 English Moments book, The Last Leaf by O. Henry, is a touching story about hope, sacrifice, and the power of art. As per the CBSE syllabus and exam pattern, students should focus on key themes, character sketches, and the emotional turning point in the story.
The narrative revolves around Johnsy, who loses the will to live, and an old artist, Behrman, who paints a life-saving leaf. This chapter often features in short and long answer questions, making it important for exam preparation and overall syllabus coverage.
The Last Leaf is a short story by O. Henry about friendship, hope, and sacrifice. It tells the story of two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, who live together in a small apartment. One day, Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia during the cold month of November. Even though the doctor gives her medicine, he says she also needs to stay hopeful to recover. However, Johnsy loses all hope and believes she will die soon.
She begins to think that her life is connected to an ivy plant she can see from her window. Every day, she counts the leaves falling off the plant and decides she will die when the last leaf falls. Sue, deeply worried about her friend, tries to cheer her up but nothing works. She then goes to Behrman, an old artist living downstairs, and explains Johnsy's condition.
That night, during a terrible storm, Behrman secretly paints a realistic-looking leaf on the wall where the real leaf had fallen. He does this in the cold rain, and sadly, catches pneumonia himself. Two days later, he passes away from the illness.
The next morning, Johnsy sees the “last leaf” still holding on after the storm. This gives her strength and hope, and she starts to get better. Later, Sue tells Johnsy that Behrman had painted that leaf to give her hope, and in doing so, sacrificed his own life. That painted leaf became his final masterpiece—one that saved a life.
The Last Leaf teaches a powerful lesson about hope, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit. Through the character of Behrman, the story shows how a selfless act can bring about a miracle.
His painted leaf becomes a symbol of life for Johnsy, inspiring her to fight her illness and live. As per the CBSE Class 9 syllabus and exam pattern, understanding this emotional conclusion is important for answering long and value-based questions. The chapter highlights that even in darkness, a small act of kindness can restore hope and change someone’s fate.
Chapter 7, The Last Leaf by O. Henry, is an inspiring story about friendship, hope, and selfless sacrifice. It is an important chapter as per the CBSE Class 9 syllabus and often features in the exam pattern through short and long answer questions. Below, we have provided a well-structured PDF containing summary notes, key themes, character sketches, and the conclusion to help students revise efficiently and perform well in their Class 9 exam.
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