Question

how is pneomonia described in the story
in the story the last leaf​

Answer 1

Answer....✏

In "The Last Leaf," pneumonia is personified in different ways. First, O'Henry refers to pneumonia as "a cold, unseen stranger."

• This stranger "stalked" about Greenwich Village and laid his "icy fingers" on his victims.
• The disease is also compared to a "ravager." O'Henry also says that pneumonia is not chivalrous because he attacks a little woman, meaning Johnsy.
• Pneumonia is also called "the red-fisted, short-breathed old duffer."

• These images make the reader call to mind a ruthless and revolting old man who wheezes, who is cold at heart, and who has fingers made of ice.
• By personifying the disease, O'Henry makes Johnsy's opponent seem real and makes the reader want to rally behind Johnsy in her fight against pneumonia.
• It is only hope and faith that will be able to help Johnsy defeat this enemy, and until she has something to believe in she can't begin to defeat her opponent, pneumonia.