The Last Leaf

Main Characters and Their Development

• Johnsy - a young artist who falls ill with pneumonia and loses her will to live, believing she will die when the last ivy leaf falls from the vine outside her window. By the end of the story, she regains hope and the desire to live thanks to the self-sacrifice of the old artist Behrman.
• Sue - Johnsy's friend and roommate, also an artist. She cares for Johnsy, supports her, and tries to restore her will to live. Sue plays a crucial role in supporting Johnsy and organizing help from Behrman.
• Behrman - an elderly artist living in the same building. He has long struggled to create his great work of art. Upon learning of Johnsy's condition, he paints a realistic ivy leaf on the wall to keep her hope alive. Behrman sacrifices himself, catching a cold and dying from pneumonia, but his act saves Johnsy.