Read this student’s summary of O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf.” Sue and Johnsy are artists who live together in New York City. One winter, Johnsy is struck with pneumonia. She makes up her mind to die as soon as the last leaf falls from the ivy plant growing outside her window. As the winter wind blows and the rain falls, Sue helplessly watches her friend’s life ebb away. And there seems no way to stop the last leaf from falling.

In the surprise ending, an old man makes the ultimate sacrifice for Johnsy. Like all the artists in the building, he always hoped to someday paint a masterpiece. One night, he braves the cold and rain to paint a single leaf on the wall outside Johnsy’s window to such perfection that she cannot tell the last leaf has fallen. In time, hope is revived and, with it, Johnsy’s will to live. However, the old man falls sick and soon dies. But he has realized his dream and has painted his masterpiece.

How does the old man’s deed reveal the theme of the story?