NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 7 – The Last Leaf

Who are the main characters in the story?
Answer: The main characters are Johnsy, a young painter, her friend Sue, and Behrman, an old artist who lives in the same building.

What illness did Johnsy suffer from?
Answer: Johnsy suffered from pneumonia, which made her physically weak and mentally depressed, to the point that she began losing the will to live.

Why did Johnsy want to die?
Answer: Johnsy believed that when the last leaf on the ivy vine fell, she would die too. Her mind connected her fate to the leaf.

What was Sue’s role in the story?
Answer: Sue was a caring friend who looked after Johnsy, kept her motivated, and sought help from the doctor and Behrman.

What was Johnsy’s strange belief about the ivy leaves?
Answer: Johnsy believed that her life was linked to the ivy leaves. As each leaf fell, she felt she was getting closer to death.

Who was Behrman and what did he do for a living?
Answer: Behrman was a struggling old artist who dreamed of painting a masterpiece but hadn’t yet succeeded. He lived downstairs from Sue and Johnsy.

How did Sue try to distract Johnsy from her thoughts?
Answer: Sue tried to engage her in conversations, talk about future plans, and encourage her to stay positive and hopeful.

What did Sue ask Behrman to do?
Answer: Sue told Behrman about Johnsy’s condition, hoping he could help, even though she didn’t directly ask him to paint the leaf.

What did Behrman do during the stormy night?
Answer: Behrman went out in the storm and painted a realistic leaf on the wall to save Johnsy from giving up her life.

Why was the last leaf so important?
Answer: The last leaf gave Johnsy hope and strength to live. She believed it was real and thought if it survived the storm, so could she.

How did Johnsy react when the last leaf didn’t fall?
Answer: Johnsy was surprised and inspired when the last leaf stayed on the vine. It made her regain her will to liveand recover.

What happened to Behrman after he painted the leaf?
Answer: Behrman caught pneumonia from painting in the cold rain and died, sacrificing his life to save Johnsy.

How did Sue discover the truth about the leaf?
Answer: After Behrman’s death, Sue realized that the last leaf was painted, not real. It had been Behrman’s final, selfless masterpiece.

What does the last leaf symbolize?
Answer: It symbolizes hope, courage, and the power of sacrifice. It shows how a simple act can change someone’s will to survive.

What is the theme of the story?
Answer: The story explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and how hope and kindness can help overcome illness and despair.

How is the title of the story meaningful?
Answer: The “last leaf” was not just a leaf, but a symbol of life for Johnsy. It was Behrman’s masterpiece and gift of hope.

What message does the story convey?
Answer: The story conveys that selfless acts can save lives and that inner strength and hope are vital in fighting despair and depression.

What is Behrman’s masterpiece and why is it special?
Answer: His masterpiece is the painted leaf that gave Johnsy the will to live. It’s special because it cost him his life but saved hers.

Why did Behrman agree to help?
Answer: Though gruff and poor, Behrman deeply cared for the girls. He wanted to protect Johnsy and finally fulfill his dream of creating meaning.

What literary device is used in the leaf surviving the storm?
Answer: It uses symbolism and situational irony. Readers think it’s a real leaf, but it turns out to be a painting with deeper meaning.

Why is Behrman considered a hero?
Answer: He gave his life selflessly, using his art not for fame but to save another’s life, making him a true unsung hero.

How does the story reflect on friendship?
Answer: It highlights the loyalty, love, and devotion friends have for each other. Both Sue and Behrman made great efforts to support Johnsy.

What change occurs in Johnsy by the end?
Answer: She transforms from being hopeless and ready to die to being grateful and determined to live, inspired by the “last leaf.”

What is the role of art in the story?
Answer: Art becomes a life-saving force. Behrman’s painting of a leaf goes beyond creativity—it becomes a symbol of hope and survival.

Summarize the moral of the story.
Answer: The story teaches that even one act of kindness can save a life. Hope, sacrifice, and love are stronger than despair and death.