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NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 28 The Last Leaf
Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 9 English Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 28 The Last Leaf and After, NCERT Class 9 English Textbook of Beehive and Supplementary Reader (Moments). for All Chapters, You can practice these here.
The Last Leaf
Chapter: 28
SUPPLEMENTARY READER – MOMENTS
THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Q. 1. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or willingness to live?
Ans: Johnsy fell seriously ill in November. She had pneumonia. She did not respond to medicines. The doctor diagnosed that the patient had lost the will to live. If she didn’t want to live, medicines won’t prove effective.
Q. 2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among the teenagers?
Ans: Johnsy’s death wish is not something shocking in this age. Many teenagers suffer the pain of growing-up. They dream high. Any delay or failure in realising that dream frustrates them so badly that they sometimes commit suicide. Their fear is absurd and they need proper counselling to live life manfully.
Q. 3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
Ans: Behrman was a 60 years old painter. He lived on the ground floor of the building. His only dream in life was to paint a masterpiece. His dream was fulfilled when he painted the last leaf of the ivy creeper.
Q. 4. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
Ans: Behrman’s masterpiece or best creation is the leaf that he paints on the wall facing the window. Since it refuses to fall, it gives a hopeful message to Johnsy to live and face life bravely. The leaf on the vine creeper looks quite green and healthy in spite of the stormy winds. It doesn’t fall. It clings to life. Sue calls it the old painter’s masterpiece. He painted it the night the last leaf fell. But he courted death while painting it. He himself died of pneumonia so as to save Johnsy’s life.
Q. 5. Have you ever felt depressed and rejected? How did you overcome such feeling? Share your experience with your classmates.
Ans: The man and environment leave its deep impact on our life. So we are looking in a world of depression stress and tension. None is free from such troubled points. The school children feel both depression and rejection when they do not get the requisite results for their labour and sincerity in the work. They because victims of stress and tension. Generally the teachers and parents trouble, the children to do more labour without keeping in view their other troubles and up keep. When I do not get the required percentage in my paper I feel depressed and rejected. But I never lose myself in disappointment. I keep in view the positive feeling and never give resort to any negative feeling. The message of Lord Krishan resolves before me. “O man, thou art to work. Leave the Result of Me”. This sentence goes on energising my body, mind and soul. I read books which encourage me to do a lot. I read the works and autobiographies of genius academicians, politicians and divine souls which fill my heart and encourage me not to have any negative view. So I advise all of you to follow the formula of positive thinking. It will help us in having the desired results. We should not lose patience, labour and honesty.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Answer the questions in about 30-40 words each:
Q. 1. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has, is common among teenagers?
Ans: Yes, teenagers feel depressed very easily. When they have prolonged illness, when they can not get admission in their favourite course, when they can not get good jobs in spite of hard work or if there are even small setbacks in life, they feel depressed.
Q. 2. What saved Johnsy’s life?
Ans: Johnsy had lost charm in life due to pneumonia. She thought that when last leaf fell, she would die. Behrman finally painted the masterpiece. The leaf painted by him saved Johnsy’s life. As the last leaf did not fall so Johnsy got the will to live.
Q. 3. How did Behrman react to Johnsy’s fancy? What did he do in order to save her life?
Ans: When Sue told Behrman that Johnsy was convinced about her death when the last leaf fell, Behrman went and looked at the leaf. It seemed as if the leaf would fall any minute now. Being a painter, his cherished dream was to paint a masterpiece. So, that night, in the cold, snowy wind he painted a leaf in the place where the last leaf had been, for the leaf had already fallen.
Q. 4. What all was found lying near Behrman’s bed after his death?
Ans: Mr. Behrmam died of pneumonia. His clothes and shoes were wet and he was shivering when the Janitor found him on his bed. A ladder, a lighted lantern, some brushes and paints were also found.
Q. 5. What was the first and the last masterpiece ever painted by the old painter Behrman? Why did the last leaf attain the status of a masterpiece?
Ans: Behrman, at last, painted a masterpiece in his life. He painted the last leaf on the wall facing Johnsy’s window. It turned out to be a real masterpiece. The painted leaf revived a hope of life in Johnsy. The old man died of pneumonia. But his painted leaf saved a life.
Q. 6. What made Johnsy say, “It is a sin to want to die?”
Ans: Johnsy had developed a superstition. She felt that she would die with the fall of the last ivy-leaf. Actually, a severe attack of pneumonia had left her mind morbid. When she saw the last leaf surviving the windy wet night, her will to live revived. It made her realise that it was really a sin to want to die.
Q. 7. How did Johnsy link her life with falling leaves of the Ivy creeper?
Ans: Johnsy interpreted the falling of the leaves as her approaching death. She had been watching the falling leaves and had decided that with the fall of the last leaf, she would die. She found herself as poor and tired as the leaves falling off the creeper. She had lost her will to live so, even medicine has been ineffective for her. Therefore, her condition was deteriorating day-by-day.
Q. 8. What does Sue do to make Johnsy take interest in things around her?
Ans: To remove Johnsy’s depression, Sue tries to revive Johnsy’s interest in things around her. She talked about clothes and fashion. She brought a drawing board in Johnsy’s room. She painted and whistled to entertain Johnsy. But Johnsy responded to nothing. She was lost in her own thoughts.
Q. 9. Suggest two ways by which you can overcome dejection and pessimism in life. Take ideas from your lesson – “The Last Leaf’.
Ans: Whenever we tend to get pessimistic and feel dejected in life, we may take up an activity and engage ourselves fully into it. It is said that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop’. In the story Sue talks to Johnsy about the latest fashion and clothes. In the same way, we should also take interest in knowing about such things around us. An optimistic approach energies our weak, and dull mind.
Q. 10. Why had the leaf not fallen the next morning?
Ans: Behrman, the old painter, had gone below the window outside on that bitter cold night with a brush, paint and ladder. He had painted the green leaf on the front wall so finely that it appeared natural. He did it at the cost of his own life and it was his real masterpiece in life.
THOUGHT PROVOKING MODULE
Study the following Questions:
Q. 1. Two friends staying together away from home. What qualities do you think a true friend should possess for a happy and cordial relationship?
Ans: It is true that when two friends have to stay away from each other they have to act very bravely. When one is away from family support of each other acts as a great support. So far friends to possess cordial relations one needs honesty and sincerity. They must also have love and respect for each other. If one friend trusts the other friend and each performs duties sincerely things would indeed be perfect.
Q. 2. Sue became worried but tried her best to revive Johnsy’s interest in life. Write the values displayed by her at the time of Johnsy’s illness.
Ans: Sue and Johnsy display true example of their friendship. Sue is a true friend who wants to help Johnsy in every possible way. She makes every effort to make Johnsy think positive and remain cheerful. She takes good care of her health and shows concern for her. The other qualities which she displays are of being responsible, sensitive and tenderness.
Q. 3. Despite providing medical care, emotional care and counselling she sought the help of Behrman. What element of personality does this reflect?
Ans: Sue is a very sensitive and caring girl. She wants to bring Johnsy back to life. For this she sought help of Behrman. Sue very well knew that strong will power of Behrman had to be revived. This shows that Sue had wisdom and very bright vision. Behrman was a talented painter. So Sue could make out that Behrman would help Johnsy with emotional attachment.
Q. 4. Adversity of weather did not prove any hurdle in painting the Ivy leaf by the artist Behrman. What values he upholds by doing so?
Ans: Behrman was an artist. His ambition was to paint his masterpiece. When he got the chance to do so he felt very delighted. He wanted to prove himself and save life of Johnsy. Thus he sacrificed his own life to save the life of Johnsy. For this he rendered selfless sacrifice and adopted never die attitude. It was his efforts to paint Ivy leaf which saved Johnsy’s life. Though in this process he lost his life.
Q. 5. “The painted leaf gives more assurance than medical care.’ Justify.
Ans: There is no doubt in this fact that faith is always stronger than treatment. Johnsy is very ill and she has lost her will power. Her condition changes from bad to worse. She has formed deep impression in her mind that she would live till Ivy leaf remains on the creeper. She kept on counting backward and was sure that when last leaf falls, she will die for ever. So Behrman’s painted leaf makes her live.
LONG ANSWERS TYPE QUESTIONS
Answer the questions in about 100-150 words each:
Q. 1. How did Behrman Save Johnsy’s Life?
Ans: Behrman was an artist. His ambition was to paint a picture to be his masterpiece. Once his neighbour Johnsy fell ill. She believed that she would die when the last leaf of the creeper outside her window fell. Behrman knew that the leaf would fall that night in the storm. So he painted an artificial leaf on the creeper during a storm of wind and rain.
The artificial leaf looked so real that Johnsy thought the last leaf was still there. This made her recover soon. Thus Behrman saved her life. The Last Leaf painted by him was his masterpiece. It was his greatest achievement as it had saved the life of a human being. The story is centred round the leaf, painted by the artist. It depicted the last leaf which was the cause of Johnsy’s recovery. So the story is rightly named, “The Last Leaf”.
Q. 2. As Johnsy, write a diary entry describing your feeling of gratitude towards your friend Sue.
Ans: 12. 03. 20…
Today, I am much better and feel a great improvement in my health. I had been convinced that I would die surely after the last leaf fell. But, perhaps Sue’s determination to make me recover from illness and make me survive has stopped if from falling. Even with the storm in the evening, the leaf did not fall. It seemed to be clinging to the creeper like me clinging on to life for the sake of Sue. Poor Sue, how much I had been troubling her. She has constantly been by my side so far, trying to revive my depressed spirits. In the morning, when I told her that the leaf would surely fall today and I would die, she said that I would not die, I would live for my friends, for her. I think I had been a bad girl, not trying to understand her friendship and emotional support. She had been doing her best and spending money on my treatment – all to keep me alive. I did not cooperate with her, for I was gloomy and depressed with a fixed notion that I would die. The last leaf being intact, has taught me how wicked I had been to myself and to Sue. Longing for death is a sin. Anyway, Sue has proved that a friend in need is a friend indeed. Johnsy.
Q. 3. Johnsy could not ger better despite the efforts made by the doctor and her friend Sue. Discuss the negative feelings that keep one ailing and also discuss the values which remove such feelings and infuse a person with a desire to live?
Ans: After a prolonged illness, Johnsy could not build up any hope of her survival. She became gloomy and depressed. She started counting the leaves that remained on the ivy creeper after the storm. It was as if she had been counting her last days. It was this negative mindset that deteriorated Johnsy’s health, stopping her from having any hope of revival. The doctor on his part gave her the best treatment, while Sue tried her best to keep her in good spirits. It is a natural phenomenon that dry leaves would fall in autumn. But Johnsy applied the same to her life, counting her days as the leaves fell. It is always the mind that controls one’s spirit. Good and positive feelings energise a person. Behrman painted the last leaf in place of the original leaf which had fallen. His positive approach gave life to Johnsy. Seeing the last leaf, intact even after the storm, Johnsy was convinced that she would not die. Again, Sue’s words that Johnsy should live for her sake also took effect. Besides, Sue stood by Johnsy’s side when she was ill. Sue looked after her ailing friend selflessly, dutifully, and sincerely. Behrman’s sacrifice also helped Johnsy regain her lost interest in life. All must imbibe these values to develop a healthy attitude towards life.
Q. 4. Write a Character sketch of Sue?
Ans: Sue was a young artist who lived with her friend Johnsy. Both had similar tastes and ideas on every thing. They loved each other. When Johnsy had pneumonia and her condition was serious, she called in the doctor. But medicine had no effect on her. The doctor told Sue that Johnsy had no will to live.
Sue immediately took her drawing board into Johnsy’s room. She did her best to cheer her up. When she learnt about Johnsy’s foolish belief, she shared her concern with Behrman. On his behalf, Behrman took a ladder and painted a similar leaf on the wall. It did not fall even in the violent rain and storm. Johnsy got life and a will to enjoy life crept in her. Sue helped Johnsy to recover. She gave him a lot of hot soup and courage. She was a kind girl and a true friend.
Q. 5. Having emerged out of her depression and fired with a new zeal to live, Johnsy apologised to Sue. What makes her do it?
Ans: Johnsy’s prolonged illness due to pneumonia had made her desperate. She started counting her days. As an indication to this, she started counting the leaves left on the ivy creeper. It was natural in autumn that trees shed their leaves. But Johnsy was very depressed. She was convinced that the fall of the last leaf from the creeper would mean, she would die. Behrman being a painter, painted a leaf that seemed to be real. It actually gave hope of life to Johnsy, for she did not know that the original leaf had fallen the previous night due to the heavy storm. The leaf by Behrman did not fall even after a storm. So, Johnsy called Sue and apologised to her. The last leaf had shown her how wicked she had been so far in not cooperating with sue.
Q. 6. You are Sue. You said to Johnsy, “Look out of the window. Look out at that ivy leaf. Have not you wondered why it does not flutter when the wind blows? That’s Behrman’s masterpiece. He painted it the night the last leaf fell.” Justify in your opinion that it was his masterpiece.
Ans: Johnsy was a young artist who had shared a flat in an old house with her friend, Sue. Suddenly, she fell seriously ill with pneumonia, after which she lost all hopes of living. Although, the doctor came everyday and prescribed medicines for her, there was no change in Johnsy’s condition. Sue’s efforts to bring Johnsy’s health back to normal had no effect. Then, Sue understood that Johnsy had been counting her days, by counting the ivy leaves left on the old creeper outside their window. When there was just one leaf left on the creeper, Johnsy was very sure that she would just live that last day, but the next morning, following a stormy night, Johnsy was overjoyed to find the last leaf, fresh and intact. This sight revived her hope of living. The doctor found that she had regained the will to live, and so, would recover soon. This hope was indeed, given by Mr. Behrman, who sacrificed his life to save Johnsy’s. He was the one who had artificially created the leaf, bearing the storm and heavy rains. The original leaf had fallen but had been replaced by Mr. Behrman. The leaf he drew looked so real that it had revived Johnsy’s spirits. Thus, it was his masterpiece.
