Құдайберген Жұбанов атындағы Ақтөбе өңірлік мемлекеттік университеті Филология факультеті
Срсп
Тақырыбы: "The Last Leaf" by O.Henry
Пән атауы: Стилистика Мамандығы: 6В01706 – Шетел тілі: екі шетел тілі
Курс: 3
Орындаған: Тасболат Абдулуахид АО 302
Ақтөбе, 2023 жыл
Plan 1.Introduction 2. Task: Find syntactic expressive means and stylistic devices from the short story "The last leaf" 3. Conclusion 4. References
Introduction
"The Last Leaf" is a short story by O. Henry, published in 1907. The story focuses on two female artists. The women are named Sue and Joanna, who is known as ‘Johnsy’. They live in Greenwich Village in New York among a ‘colony’ of artists who reside in the area. As shown in the short story, New York was plagued with diseases due to overcrowded locations, urbanization, and improper living conditions. Just like the other stories of O. Henry, this one is a sentimental one and has a tragic ending as well. In this article of O Henry The last leaf summary, students will learn the summary of the story, the themes, and the characters that are portrayed in the story.
The story is famous for its use of various stylistic devices and expressive means that enhance its overall impact.
Task: Find syntactic expressive means and stylistic devices from the short story "The last leaf"
1. Metaphor: "The last leaf" in the title is a metaphor for life. The leaf represents the fragile and fleeting nature of life.
2. Personification: The author personifies the weather in the story, giving it human-like qualities. For example, he writes: "The morning sun [...] seemed hesitant and shy, like the reluctant messenger of bad news."
3. Simile: The author uses similes to describe the setting and characters. For example, he describes the ivy leaves as being "pale and thin" like "sickly fingers."
4. Repetition: The author repeats certain phrases throughout the story for emphasis. For example, the phrase "old Mr. Behrman" is repeated several times to reinforce his importance in the story.
5. Irony: The story is full of ironic twists. For example, Johnsy believes that she will die when the last leaf falls from the tree, but it is actually the tree itself that dies.
6. Imagery: The author uses vivid imagery to create a clear picture of the setting and characters. For example, he describes Johnsy's face as being "thin and drawn, like the face of a person who has endured a long illness."
7. Symbolism: The ivy vine that clings to the wall outside Johnsy's window is a symbol of hope and endurance. It represents the tenacity of life in the face of adversity.
8. Foreshadowing: The author uses foreshadowing to hint at the outcome of the story. For example, the doctor tells Sue that Johnsy will die "if she insists on counting those leaves."
9. Pathos: The story evokes a strong emotional response from the reader, especially in the scene where Behrman sacrifices his life to create the last leaf for Johnsy.
10. Irony: The story ends with a twist that is both surprising and ironic. Johnsy survives, but Behrman, who sacrificed himself to save her, dies.
Conclusion What, then, is the ‘moral’ of ‘The Last Leaf’? In part, the story can be analysed as a moral fable (of sorts) about art: the best art springs out of the need to help others. Behrman may dismiss Johnsy’s belief in the last leaf falling as misguided magical thinking, but he knows that he will be providing a service to her in painting the leaf and staving off her desire for death. This is in keeping with his readiness to pose as a model for other poor and struggling young artists.
Such an attitude – the best art helps others – has a corollary: namely, that the artist is himself helped in his pursuit of great art when he is motivated to help others. The best art, O. Henry seems to be saying, springs from compassion.
References
"O. Henry's Full House". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute.
"The Last Leaf". The FictionMags Index
Hischak, Thomas S. (2012). American Literature on Stage and Screen: 525 Works and Their Adaptations. McFarland