Essays on literary works - 2024

My Impressions of O. Henry's “The Last Leaf” and “A Retrieved Reformation”

Henry's short stories are always incredibly interesting and unique. They are characterized by vivid characters and unexpected plot twists.

In "The Last Leaf," we see the power of true love and self-sacrifice. It tells the story of how Sue, a young woman, and the elderly artist Mr. Behrman save the life of a dying girl named Johnsy.

Johnsy has convinced herself that she will die when the last ivy leaf falls from the vine outside her window. Even her closest friend, Sue, can't convince her otherwise. So, Mr. Behrman resorts to a trick — he paints a last leaf and attaches it to the vine. Johnsy realizes that she must fight for her life, just like that "last ivy leaf": "I guess it must have been the last one. I'm such a fool. The last leaf must have stayed on to show me how wicked I was."

This moment, when the protagonist realizes that she must live, is my favorite in the story. Now we understand that Johnsy will recover and that Sue won't be alone.

At the end of the story, Johnsy learns about Mr. Behrman's trick and that he died of pneumonia trying to save her: "Yes, dear, that was Behrman's masterpiece — he painted it the night the last leaf fell." This moment, I think, is the saddest but also the most powerful in the story.

"A Retrieved Reformation" tells a very different story — about the life of Texas cowboys. The main character, a former boxer and jockey named Mc-Gire, is dying of consumption. But then he meets a rancher named Reidler, who helps people in trouble. We know that he has "cured" several people at his ranch and wants to help Mc-Gire.

Initially, however, Mc-Gire is ungrateful. He annoys his host and all the other guests with his whims. Mc-Gire constantly accuses Reidler of dragging him into the wilderness and making fun of him.

One day, Reidler's angelic patience snaps, and he sends Mc-Gire to the fields with the other cowboys. At that moment, the former boxer behaves unworthily — he is capricious and accuses the owner of all sins: "So that's it! — Mc-Gire said with a strange smile, looking at Reidler. — So the old owl said I'm healthy?... Alright, buddy, I'll work for you. That's when you'll settle up with me!"

This man didn't believe that someone could be kind just for the sake of it — Mc-Gire saw a catch in everything. But after working on the ranch and earning the respect of the cowboys, this man realized what Reidler had done for him. He not only saved the hero from consumption but also gave him a new life: "Closer to the earth, you said? — Mc-Gire roared, squeezing Reidler's hand in a steel grip. — I did it — and look, I'm healthy and strong." This episode is my favorite in the story. It's here that it becomes clear that Mc-Gire is an interesting character with many positive qualities. It's in the finale of the story that he becomes my favorite character.