Comparing The Last Leaf And The Wash Leaf

“Gwilan’s Harp” by Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Last Leaf” by O’Henry, and “The Washwoman” by Isaac Singer, all have someone pass in their books. Whether a main or side character, someone always perishes. Although this brought sadness to the storyline it also helped the reader learn a lesson. Whenever someone passes it saddens the other characters. However if they look back upon their life they could learn a lot and it may help them in the long run. In these examples the death of a character moves the others and changes them for the better.

In “The Last Leaf" a young girl falls ill and wishes to die claiming that when a leaf on an ivy bush outside falls so will she. When her friend with whom she shares a house, tells an elderly artist this problem he sneaks outside during a stormy night with a leaf he had painted to look just like the others and fastens it to the plant. However a great consequence comes to the man for being out during the freezing wet night. “Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia today in the hospital.”(O’Henry) This story shows that even the noblest deeds may end in tragedy.

A storm suddenly hits their town and the washwoman’s absence worries the mom. Just when they think the woman will never return, she surprises them. “One evening while mother was sitting near a kerosene lamp mending a shirt, the door opened and a small puff of steam, followed by a gigantic bundle, entered. Under the bundle tottered the old woman, her face as white as a linen sheet.”(Singer) She goes on to tell that she had fallen ill and nearly died. After dropping off the laundry, she passes peacefully a couple days later, free from her burden. The washwoman shows that nothing, not even a severe illness, should keep a person from completing a