The Role of Characterisation in Artistic Achievement: A Case Study on O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf”

This article analyses the role of characterisation as a structural component of narrative, arguing that it functions not merely as a descriptive element but as a medium shaping narrative organisation and narrative effect. Although previous studies have mainly focused on plot, irony, and surprise endings in O. Henry’s works, the interrelation of characterisation with these elements has insufficiently been highlighted. To fill this gap, an adaptation of Manfred Pfister’s characterisation model for drama is proposed, highlighting characterisation in O. Henry’s short story “The Last Leaf.” Through the analysis, the characterisation of four characters in the narrative is examined using the adapted framework. In this phase, the gathered data are used to (1) observe more consistently the channels through which traits are attributed to characters, (2) foreground the sources of information on a given character within the narrative, and (3) systematically determine the number of traits attributed to each character. Drawing upon theories in narratology and stylistics, these findings are then interpreted to examine the precise role of characterisation in relation to other narrative elements, such as irony, surprise, plot, narration, focalisation, and character classification. Finally, it is demonstrated that characterisation intersects with these components simultaneously, contributing to O. Henry’s authorial effect. This article challenges the prevailing critical view that his success relies primarily on plot organisation and surprise endings.