prose
Why was Sue nervous and reluctant while drawing the curtains on the morning after the storm?
Sue was nervous because she was certain that the last leaf had fallen at night. This could make Johnsy quit all hope of survival as she had associated her death with the falling leaves of the ivy creeper.
Would Johnsy have passed before itself if Sue and her weren't friends?
[opinionated. points given if apt]
Who said: "Twelve," she said, and a little later, "eleven", and then "ten" and "nine, and then "eight" and "seven."
johnsy
What makes Sue call Behrman's last painting a masterpiece?
Behrman was a 60-year old artist who had a dream to paint a masterpiece. His painting of an ivy leaf was his masterpiece which saved the life of Johnsy. It was such a painting that it was not easy to make out whether the leaf was real. When Behrman died painting this life-saving painting, Sue called it a masterpiece.
Had Behrman been selfish, would the outcome of the story be different? If so how?
[opinionated. points given if apt]
From what point of view is the story being told? 1st person or 3rd person? Does this make the story more or less realistic in your view?
3rd person
- Students opinion. Points given if student can explain his/her/they reasoning.
Why does the doctor want to know if Johnsy has a man on her mind?
He wants to know if she has a man on her mind because maybe that’s why she thinks she isn’t going to get well. The doctor believes that Johnsy imagines that she has doesn't have anything to live for.
Explain how blind beliefs are related to this story and how it can cause harm to us?
Johnsy, who was sick with pneumonia, believed that she will pass away when the last leaf outside her window fell off. However, by the deception of a painting of one leaf, she then soon regained her will to live. This shows that blind beliefs are related as she most likely wouldn't have died anyway even if the last leaf fell.
Other than the leaf, what is one symbol in this story?
Answers will vary. Possible answers could include: art/ The Bay of Naples, Sue and Mr. Behrman, the storm
When and why was the doctor’s report encouraging about Johnsy’s condition?
The doctor gave an encouraging report about Johnsy’s condition after examining her a day after the storm. The report was encouraging because Johnsy had regained her will to live.
If Johnsy lived today, how would her medical care be different?
Opinionated answer - Point given if appropriate
What is Mr. Behrman's conflict? Does it get resolved?
Possible answer: He has two internal conflicts. The first is with Johnsy because of her health and mental state. The second is with himself and his unfulfilled goal to create a masterpiece.
-Yes, they get resolved but because Mr. Behrman dies he doesn't get to enjoy his professional success.
Explain Sue's qualities as a person.
Sue was a young artist who lived with Johnsy. She tried her best to make Johnsy feel better and help in to get over her illness even though Johnsy would not listen to her. However, Sue wouldn't give up on her friend.
This story was published in 1907 and takes place around that time. Does the time period have an impact on the story? If the story took place today, would anything be different or not?
[opinionated. points given if supported with specific examples from the story]
If Mr. Behrman were the narrator, how would the story be different? Would it seem more or less realistic?
Answers will vary but should take into account that Mr. Behrman drank a lot.