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Overview
“The Last Leaf” was published in 1907 by William Sydney Porter, a popular and prolific short story writer best known by his pen name, O. Henry
. This work appeared as part of The Trimmed Lamp (1907), a collection of his stories that focuses on the lives of everyday New York City residents. The story exemplifies O. Henry’s mastery of twist endings. It also showcases his love of language and wordplay, including the use of dialect. Although the story is set in the early 20th century, it engages with timeless themes such as friendship, loyalty, and selfless sacrifice.Read a full story summary, a full story analysis, and explanations of important quotes from “The Last Leaf.”
