Hello! I'm back again.
So in this blog, I'll write my experience with English work.
The Last Leaf is a short story from one of Sir O. Henry's works.
Therefore, we will discuss what a short story is first. To be more clear, let's see the explanation below.
Definition
A short story is a story that is fully developed but shorter than a novel and longer than a fable. A short story (short story) has a problem that is simple and not as complex as the problem in a novel story so that this story can be read in just a few minutes. Short stories focus on larger or smaller issues and focus on building strong feelings from the readers. Short stories, just like novels, have several characters in the storyline (plot).
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Meaning and Function
A short story tells about one aspect of a character's life. This aspect of life can be an event, a picture of a feeling, or a simple action in the life of a character. Short stories can also influence or even inspire readers. Short stories can be an alternative for friends who don't like to read long stories like novels. Short stories, in addition, have characters who share their thoughts, motivations, feelings, emotions and ideas.
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Elements
In general, short stories have elements that are almost the same as stories in general. The following are the elements of a short story (short story).
> Character
A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part as the main character in a short story or other part.
> Settings
The setting of a short story can be divided into 3 parts: setting of place and setting of time. The setting of a place can be a description of a place, for example a description of a land, a landscape, a season, or the weather to provide a strong background image of a place. While the time setting can be in the form of a picture of the atmosphere in the morning marked by the crowing of the rooster or the sunrise, the atmosphere of a pitch black night or the moon shining in the middle of the dark night, and so on.
> Plot
Plot is a series of events and actions of characters that relate to the main conflict in a story.
> Conflict
Conflict is a struggle between two people or other characters in a short story. The main character/character generally sided with one side of the conflict at hand. On the other hand, the main character struggles against other important characters in the short story, struggles against the forces of the universe, faces society, or even faces something within himself (with his feelings, emotions, or illness).
> Theme
Theme is the main idea / overall idea of a short story.
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Tips for Making Short Stories
Writing a short story is like writing any other fictional story. The most important thing is that we know how to write a good short story because by being able to write a good short story, we can develop the story into a novel or other fictional story. To be able to sharpen skills in writing short stories, friends can try to write a short story within 2 weeks. By diligently writing, you will be familiar with the written language and can improve skills in writing short stories. In addition, you also need to know some of the following tips in writing a short story.
- Don't get artsy
In writing a short story, try not to write too many parable words. Adding a few figurative words can enhance your writing. On the other hand, if you write too many figurative words, parables, or analogies, your story will be difficult for readers to understand because not all readers will understand the figurative words or parables you write.
- Share only what's critical to the moment
The thing to remember when writing short stories is not to focus too much on writing the background story of an event. The thing that readers want is that they get an understanding of an event in the short story with a sufficient portion and when the readers really need the information in order to understand the events in the story well.
- Get right into the heart of the conflict
In short stories, don't spend your time making the setting or explaining the main character's thoughts. What should be done is to attract the hearts of the readers by showing every conflict scene in the story.
- Build to the climax efficiently
In writing a short story, you have to build the flow efficiently. Every paragraph, every sentence, and every word need to be considered in order to bring the reader to the climax of the story. If there is a part of the story that does not lead to the climax, it is better not to include that part in the story.
- Have a clear conclusion
A good story must have a clear ending / conclusion. Therefore, make sure that the ending of the story you write has clarity so that it is easy for readers to understand.
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The Last Leaf
Many artists lived in Greenwich Village in New York City. Sue and Johnsy, two artists, also lived there in a studio apartment. Their rooms were at the top of an old building in Greenwich Village.
In November, it was very cold and with it a cold unseen stranger, whom the doctors called Pneumonia, stalked the city, touching one here and there with his icy fingers. The city fingers of Pneumonia also touched Johns. She was very ill, lying in her bed and not moving at all. A doctor visited her every day But Johnsy was not getting better. One morning, the doctor spoke to Sue outside Johnsy's room.
"I can't help her", the doctor said. "She is very sad and has no desire to live. Someone must make her happy again. What is she interested in?" "She is an artist," Sue replied."She wants to paint a picture of Bay of Naples."
"Painting!" said the doctor. "That won't help her!"
Sue was distressed by this news and didn't know what to do to help Johnsy. She went into the workroom and cried and then she swaggered into Johnsy's room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime. Johnsy lay silently in her bed with her face towards the window. Sue stopped whistling, thinking Johnsy was asleep.
Sue arranged her board and began drawing to illustrate a magazine story. As Sue was sketching a figure of a hero, an Idaho cowboy, she heard a low sound,
several times repeated. She went quickly to the bedside. Johnsy's eyes were open wide. She was looking out the window and
counting-counting backward. "Twelve," she said, and a little later "eleven"; and then "ten," and "nine"; and then
"eight" and "seven", almost together.
Sue looked out of the window wondering what was there to count. There was only a bare, dreary yard to be seen and the blank side of the brick house twenty feet away. An old, old ivy vine, gnarled and decayed at the roots, climbed halfway up the brick wall. The cold breath of autumn had stricken its leaves from the vine until its skeleton branches clung, almost bare, to the crumbling bricks.
"What is it, dear?" asked Sue. "Six," said Johnsy, in almost a whisper. "They're falling faster now.
Three days ago there were almost a hundred. My head ached when I was counting them but now it's easy. There goes another one. There are only five left now." "Five what, dear? Tell me."
"Leaves on the ivy vine. When the last one falls I must go, too. I've known that for three days. Didn't the doctor tell you?"
"Oh, I never heard of such nonsense, complained Sue, with magnificent scorn. "What have old ivy leaves to do with your getting well? Try to sleep," said Sue. "I must call Behrman up to be my model for the old hermit miner. I'll not be gone a minute. Don't try to move 'till coming back."
Old Behrman was a painter who lived on the ground floor of the same building. He was sixty years old and had always dreamed of painting a masterpiece, but unfortunately, he could not fulfill his dream until now. Sue found Behrman in his dimly lighted apartment sitting in his chair. She told him of Johnsy's condition. Old Behrman, with his red eyes, plainly streaming, shouted his contempt and derision for such idiotic imaginings.
Johnsy was sleeping when they went upstairs. Sue pulled the shade down to the windowsill and motioned Behrman into the other room. In there they peered out the window fearfully at the ivy vine. Then they looked at each other for a moment without speaking. A persistent, cold rain was falling, mingled with snow. When Sue awoke from an hour's sleep the next morning, she found Johnsy with dull, wide-open eyes staring at the drawn green shade.
"Pull it up: I want to see," she ordered, in a whisper. Wearily Sue obeyed. "It is the last one," said Johnsy. It will fall today, and I shall die at the same time." "Dear, dear!" said Sue, leaning her worn face down to the pillow, "think of me, if you won't think of yourself. What would I do?" But Johnsy did not answer. The leaf stayed on the vine all day. That night, there was more wind and rain. When it was light enough, Johnsy commanded that the shade be raised. The Ivy leaf was still there.
"I've been a foolish girl, Sue," said Johnsy. "I wanted to die but the last leaf stayed on the vine to teach me a lesson. Please bring me some soup now. "You know Sue, someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples."
The doctor visited the girls in the afternoon. "Take good care of your friend," he said. "She is going to get well. Now I have to go downstairs, I have to visit Mr. Behrman. He has pneumonia too. I must send him to the hospital."
Nutrition and care now that's all." And that afternoon Sue came to the bed where The next day, the doctor said to Sue: "She's out of danger. You won. Johnsy lay, contentedly knitting a woolen shoulder scarf. "I have something to tell you, dear," she said. "Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia today in the hospital. He was ill for only two days. The janitor found him the morning of the first day in his room downstairs helpless with pain. His shoes and clothing were wet through and icy cold. They couldn't imagine where he had been on such a dreadful night. And then they found a lantern, still lighted, and a ladder that had been dragged from its place, and some scattered brushes, and a palette with green and yellow colors mixed on it, and 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."
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Conclusion and Opinion
What a great short story!
This story is full of meaning. Love, sacrifice, hope, belief, and pessimism.
Sue and Johnsy are friends, but one day Johnsy is sick, and Sue takes care of him. Johnsy is pessimistic that she will die.
Mr. Berhman, the old man has the same illness as Johnsy. He wants to paint and finally create a masterpiece but he died.
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This is my short story.
Activity
The world has been hit by a virus pandemic. Covid-19.
So, for some time we have to stay at home.
For example, study and work from home.
My mother is a private employee, in a hospital. Early in the pandemic, he rarely worked in person. But now, it's as usual.
My father is not working, he is very sick. So I take care of it at home.
Sometimes, my mother always leaves messages.
Mother: "Sister, I don't cook. I'll just buy food later, or cook noodles," said my mother, handing me a piece of money.
Me: "Yes, ma'am," I replied, taking the money.
After that He worked, and I studied.
And also, he said
Mother: "Later, dry the laundry," my mother and I said yes.
I'm used to helping my mother, every afternoon I sweep, mop, wash dishes. But I'm bothered if I have to take care of my father.
Me: "Mom, I'm tired of taking care of it," I don't remember what he said. But now, my mother's brother helps me to take care of dad, sometimes I help take care of dad a little bit, if I'm not tired all day.
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