397620809 The Last Leaf by O Henry PDF

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FINAL PROJECT The Plot of a Short Story The Last Leaf: A Pragmatic Analysis

PRESENTED BY:

YUSRIYYAH

E1D116072

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND ADUCATION MATARAM UNIVERSITY 2019

CHAPTER I

1. INTRODUCTION Literature is a study that can be obtained from the nature not only from a school but also from informal education. It can be gotten from our heart and our creative mind, it can be gotten anywhere. When a man reads the storywith his feeling, he will know know about what the author means and he will learn the plot structure, the setting, the massage, and the other elements of the story that he has read. By studying literature, it can make someone know the other way of life yhat the author means in the story. Someone can express his feeling by writing story, poem, or script for act. Literature can make the person express what he feels freely. There are many types of literature. Poetry is language that arranged in lines, with a regular rhythm and often with a definite rhyme scheme. Drama is a story to be performed by actors on stage or before movie or TV cameras. Novel is a book-length fictional prose narrative. Short story is a brief work of fiction, usually written in prose and ruining 1,600 to 20,000 words in length. The literary roots of the short storycan be found in oral storytelling traditions, such as anecdotes, fables, fairy tales, and parables. Short story has instrinsic elements like novel, and they are: plot, theme, setting, point of view, character and characterization, and symbol. Since short story is shorter than novels, then the author must compress the intrinsic elements of story and choose each word with great care. Short story is one of another popular and familiar of literary work and literary forms. One of the short stories that is familiar and a lot to read is O. Henry’s short stories. This study is directed to find plot, setting, and the message delivered in this short stories. Short story is a fictional prose narrative and short stories tend to be more concise and to the point than longer works of fiction such as novel. Short story tends to be less complex than novels. On Webster,s New World Dictionary Third College Edition (1214) short story is a piece of prose fiction and shorter then novel or novelette, and the characteristically of short story is developing a single central theme and limited in scope and numver of characters. Therefore, short story used plot a reader should be able understand the story and the message of short story.

Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows a casual arrangement of events that makes the story hang together. Plot can also be referred to as the structure of a short story. Structure concerns how the story is told.

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1.The Last Leaf by O. Henry ‘The Last Leaf’, a marvelous story by O. Henry, depicts the treasury of life and the inevitability of faith to tackle the hindrances we battle through our life. The value of the life is the cynosure of the story where all things go back and revolve around it. The sequence of events is smoothly carved in with the supporting details. The story starts with a whimsical setting called the ‘places’ and the description of the present situation of Johnsy, the main character. The melodramatic and picturesque setting of the story connects to the negative status of Johnsy facing life and death subject matter. The setting also helps to describe the resources at hand to ‘combat’ the pneumonia mentioned later in the story because they are in a small district where they find themselves unable to treat it effectively with traditional methods. The story begins as Johnsy, a young girl victimized by pneumonia, lies in bed waiting for the last leaf of an ivy vine on the brick wall she spies through her window, to fall. She watches each leaf fall. She is very pessimistic about her health and says that with the fall of the last leaf, she will die. Mr. Behrman, an old man considers himself as a frustrated but magnificent painter who is just waiting for the right opportunity to create his first masterpiece. He daubs the last leaf on the wall after the real one falls. At the end, he is able to finish his masterpiece, a real one not because it is fabulous but it serves as a tree of hope for Johnsy to fight against what many believe as an unbeatable illness. Then he catches pneumonia and dies. ‘The Last Leaf’ is the true depiction of O. Henry’s writing traits: skillful plot and twist ending. As the story moves on, the reader cannot expect such a heroic act from Mr. Behrman who sacrifices his life and makes a special appearance in the end to show the sacrificial masterpiece. The leaf becomes his masterpiece because he paints it with the passion to save a life, the courage and determination to make an art not to prove himself but to help others prove that life is something to enjoy and fight for.

The action of Mr. Behrman appears to be chivalric in nature, thus, forming the major theme of the story: theme of the sincere friendship and the selfless sacrifice. He risks his life for Johnsy. He sacrifices his life so that she may not die of pessimism and disbelief. Sue, friend of Johnsy, becomes the representation of sincere friendship. She always stays home and does whatever she can to keep very good care of Johnsy. Imagery employed in “The Last Leaf” whether it is sight imagery or sound imagery go hand in go with the theme of death and dying. It helps to set the mood, and tone of the story that assists in imposing the author’s theme and motive upon the reader. An example of sight imagery is how Johnsy seems to feel about the ivy vine outside her window, she feels as though the leaves on the vine are her clock to death.

The sound and touch

imagery is revealed when Johnsy and Sue both describe the howling wind outside as “beating rain and fierce gusts of wind that had endured through the livelong night, there yet stood out against the brick wall one ivy leaf.” The images such as ‘a bare, dreary yard’ and ‘a persistent, cold rain’ enhance the effect of something unwelcoming in the situation. O. Henry in his artistic and unique style of writing brings home the idea how a person, no matter, how hopeless he/she is, can become a symbol of hope and courage to others. Hence, ‘The Last Leaf’, the story of passion, hope and personal sacrifice, inculcates the spirit of selfless sacrifice and optimism in its readers.

3. METHODOLOGY Data are a piece of descriptive information which refers to, or represents condition, ideas or objects that exist in a variety of forms. Bungin (2001: 123) stated that data is material information about the object of the research. Meanwhile, data source are classified into three kinds, including: person, place and paper. The data of this study is the plot of a short stories written by O. Henry. Meanwhile, the source of all data are taken from short story with title The Last Leaf . All of data source taken from the O. Henry’s short stories. There are three hundred and eighty kinds of O. Henry’s short stories but the writer analyze one short story of O. Henry’s short stories because the writer thought that The Last Leaf is the most interesting story of all O. Henry’s short story.

In doing the analysis, the method that the writer used in collecting information dealing with The Last Leaf by O. Henry is documentary method. Documentary method is searching a data about things or variables in the form of notes, transcripts, book, magazine, meeting notes, agenda, etc.

CHAPTER II DISCUSSION

A. Plot Diagram of Short Story “The Last Leaf” 1. Plot Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story, or the main part of a story. These events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence. The structure of a story depends on the organization of events in the plot of the story. Plot is known as the foundation of a novel or story, around which the characters and settings are built. It is meant to organize information and events in a logical manner. When writing the plot of a piece of literature, the author has to be careful that it does not dominate the other parts of the story. 1.1.Primary Elements of a Plot There are five main elements in a plot: a. Exposition or Introduction Every book, short story or movie has beginning. This is called the exposition. Exposition in a story refers to the provision of essential information which provides background to the events about to unfold. It informs the reader about the setting, condition, circumtances and some background to the characters in the story. Without such context, the story may seem meaningless. Exposition is a part where the characters and setting are presented. The main problem is also introduce. In the exposition of “The Last Leaf,” the writer informs us that Sue and Johnsy were two artists who shared a studio in an art colony in Greenwich Village and that the community was under attact by a disease, pneumonia, which during a very cold winter killed a large number of residents in the area. It also informs us that Johnsy was struck by the disease and became extremely ill.

Quote in The Last Leaf story: Greenwich village is an old town where people enthralled by paintings and art came. At the topmost floor of an squeaky three-story building lived Sue and Johnsy (nickname for Joanna). They met at a restaurant where they found out that they share the same interests when it comes to art and food.

b. Rising Action Rising action which occure when a series of events build up to the conflict. The main characters are estabsished by the time the rising action of a plot occurs, and the same time, events begin to get complicated. It is during this of a story that excitement, tension, or crisis is encountered.

Quote in The Last Leaf story: Six months after Sue and Johnsy started with their joint studio, Johnsy was sick with pneumonia, like others in their town. She had very little chance to live, and Sue was saddened. Johnsy said that if the last leaf on the Ivy vine fell, she would pass away. Sue went on to do an art piece, while she requested Johnsy not to look at what she was painting. She preceded and called Behrmen, Behrmen was an old guy, but after hearing Johnsy's plan, he was upset. He went on to go to the duo's room, and did something with the thought of Sue.

The rising action is the introduction of the main problem or conflict. Quote in The Last Leaf story: Sue tells Mr. Behrman about Johnsy and how when the last leaf falls she will die. Mr. Behrman thinks this is ridiculous too.

The main problem or conflict is dealt by action. In this part of the story, the main character is in crisis.

Quote in The Last Leaf story: Everyday Johnsy keeps her eyes out to the window, watching as each leaf falls. “10, 9, 8, 7, 6....” she counts.

In this part of the story, the main character prepares for the battle/problem and takes a step up, closer to the climax/the high point. Quote in The Last Leaf story: One day a huge strong storm came that night. Sue told Johnsy not to look out the window, whereas there was only one last leaf left.

c. Climax In the climax, or the main point of the plot, there is a turning point of the story. This is meant to be the moment of highest interest and emotion, leaving the reader wondering what is going to happen next. The climax point (or the higest pont) is the part where the character faces pain and disgrace. It is like a roller coaster. At this point, the readers feel nervous to go down that steep hill. In this spot, it will seem as if the main character could die, get injured or will never win. At this point, the last leaf did fall after the huge and strong storm. Johnsy doesn't want to try to get better so when the last leaf falls off the ivy vine she says that she will go with it. Sue goes to talk to Mr. Behrman about posing for her drawing. The climax in this story occurs when there is only one leaf left on the vine. The climatic expectation is that once this leaf has fallen, Johnsy will die. Johnsy will survives, however, because when she looks out of her window she notices the leaf still clinging to the vine and this inspires her to live.

Quote in The Last Leaf story: -

After the sun rose, Johnsy saw the ivy vine and no leaf fell. She was shocked, and watched the leaf for a very one time. Finally, Johnsy realized

that she had been a bad girl because of that thought. She finally ate food after not eating because she thought that she would pass away already. -

Johnsy doesn't want to try to get better so when the last leaf falls off the ivy vine she says that she will go with it. Sue goes to talk to Mr. Behrman about posing for her drawing.

-

Johnsy learnt a lesson from the last leaf that it is sin to want to die.

d. Falling Action Falling action, or the winding up of the story, occurs when events and complicatios begin to resolve. The result of the actions of the main characters are put forward.

Quote in The Last Leaf story: The doctor arrived at their art studio. He said that Johnsy's condition is improving at a very good rate. However, the doctor said that Behrman is also having difficulty because of pneumonia. He went on to Behrman's studio and tried to treat him. The next day, the doctor came once again and said to Sue : "She's out of danger. You won. Nutrition and care now -- that's all."

In this part, the story begins to slow down. This part shows the time where the main character (or any character) choose the right decision. Quote in The Last Leaf story: Luckily, Johnsy was asleep when the leaf fell last night. When she woke up, she saw that a leaf was still there.

This decision could mean that the main character is creating a plan to save himself, or teamwork. Quote in The Last Leaf story: As days passed, the leaf that Johnsy saw was still there. Winds blew, more storms came in, but the leaf was quietly placed.

Eventually, all this decision making process leads to the resolution. Quote in The Last Leaf story: Johnsy is surprised, thinking on why the leaf did not fall off yet. The doctor came in and treated her. For the whole day she recoverd over the sickness.

e. Resolution Resolution, or the conclusion, is the end of a story, which may occur with either a happy or a tragic ending. The resolution in a story generally refers to apoint when a conflict is resolve and the story comes to an equtable and satisfying end ( a happy or sad ending). In this story, the resolution is achieved when Johnsy is fully recovered and learns of Mr. Behrman’s unselfish secrifice—he had finally painted his masterpiece and saved her life, but tragically lost his own in the process.

Quote in The Last Leaf story: -

Before the doctor goes he talks to Sue for a while. Sue looked shocked. Johnsy asked what happened and Sue said “Mr. Behrman had a severe case of pneumonia. A janitor had found him with pain, and his clothes were icy cold. The janitor did not know where he was during that stormy night, but saw a ladder, some brushes and paint that was green and yellow. Look out the window, dear, at the last ivy leaf on the wall. Didn’t you wonder why it never fluttered or moved when the wind blew? Ah, darling, it’s Behrman’s masterpiece—he painted it there the night that the last leaf fell.”

-

While Sue was talking to Johnsy, they went on and talked about Behrman. He died at the hospital ago, despite being ill in a measly two days. The janitor found him in a bad condition, mainly because his clothing were wet and icy cold. They found a lantern beside him, together with equipment for painting. Sue instructed her to look at the window, and ask

her why she thinks that the last leaf never fell. It never fell because it was Behrman's masterpiece, and he painted it the night the last leaf fell.

2. Message of “The Last Leaf” The message that comes through the most powerfully for me is that you should not judge people by their outward appearances or social persona. In the story, the most gruff character, Behrman, “was a fierce little old man, who scoffed terribly at softness in any one.” And yet it is Behrman that takes the very “soft”,compassionate step of painting the leaf, which in essence, saves Johnsy’s life. In a way, he sacrifices his own to save her. So we should not judge by what image they promote, but instead by their actions, because it is, in the end, actions that truly make an impact.

CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION

Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story, or the main part of a story. There are five main elements in a plot: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Exposition in a story refers to the provision of essential information which provides background to the events about to unfold. Rising action which occure when a series of events build up to the conflict. In the climax, or the main point of the plot, there is a turning point of the story. This is meant to be the moment of highest interest and emotion, leaving the reader wondering what is going to happen next. Falling action, or the winding up of the story, occurs when events and complicatios begin to resolve. The result of the actions of the main characters are put forward. The last, resolution, or the conclusion, is the end of a story, which may occur with either a happy or a tragic ending.

REFERENCES

1. https://prezi.com/mi6po9nfwlob/graphing-plot-analysis/ 2. https://www.slideshare.net/chidhambarammal/plot-analysis-of-last-leaf-29548544 3. https://quizlet.com/100913081/the-last-leaf-plot-diagram-flash-cards/ 4. https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-exposition-complication-falling-action55827 5. http://www.answers.com/Q/Plot_of_the_last_leaf_by_ohenry...