Narrator and point of view

The short story “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry is narrated in the third-person by an anonymous narrator who only functions as an observer.

The narrator has limited knowledge about the characters and their thoughts and feelings. Throughout most of the story, the narrator focuses on Sue and her reactions to what happens around her. The narrator knows what she thinks and feels: “After the doctor had gone Sue went into the workroom and cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp. Then she swaggered into Johnsy's room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime” (ll. 48-50).

However, note that the readers do not know what Behrman is thinking; we only get to know what Behrman himself reveals to Sue:

‘You are just like a woman!’ yelled Behrman. ‘Who said I will not bose?

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