Different Dimensions Of Women In The Short Stories Of O’henry’s The Skylight Room And The Last Leaf

Abstract

American writers began by unique ways of expressing their experience. American literature demonstrated the basic characteristics of all kinds of literature such as characters, plots, settings, images and themes. In this way William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O’Henry, was an American short story writer. His stories were known for their surprise endings. The short story The Skylight Room was about a young woman, Miss Leeson and she stayedat one of Mrs. Parker’s parlour. During her outstayed, Miss Leeson happened to swim in hard stormy times and was later rescued by a star. Henry’s another short story The Last Leaf contained the theme of commitment, sacrifice, friendship, compassion, hope and dedication. In this story there were three painters mentioned Sue, Johnsy and Behrman who were committed to something. Very early in this story Johnsy suffered by Pneumonia and she abandonedany hope of living. She stared the vine leaves through the window and she herself concluded that her last breath is decided only by the last leaf of the vine. Sue, her friend made plans to makeJohnsy come out of fear. With the help of Behrman she rebuilt hope in Johnsy. Behrman has paid his own life in order to save the life of Johnsy. The single leaf that he had painted on the wall became his masterpiece. The last leaf had given her hope of living and perished her pessimistic heart and made her to fight against the problem. Through these stories O’Henry sketched the different dimensions of women such as fear, judgement, selfish, kind-heart, virtue, perseverance, mystery, gay-heart, optimistic heart, confidence, good will and contentment.