Explain the humanism as reflected in the story The last leaf by O.Henry?

Question

Explain the humanism as reflected in the story The last leaf by O.Henry?

Answer 1

Well, the artist who paints the leaf on the wall, thus convincing the sick girl that she is not going to die, sacrifices his own life by doing so, because he gets sick and dies as a result of being out there painting in the cold.  so it is a noble gesture on his part (though personally I think if he'd wrapped up warmer it could have been avoided).

Answer 2

Why is this in History?

Answer 3

At the heart of humanism is the idea that people, or humans, possess the intelligence and compassion to fix complex problems, thus dispensing the notion that divine intervention is what solves the struggles of the individual and the world.  In the story, the neighbour paints a simple picture that becomes the masterpiece that he has been trying to create for years.  It saves the woman's (Johnsy's) life, but it costs him his own.  It is a great story and is a good example of what O. Henry believed about humanism: people can, and do, help others through their own intelligence, compassion and creativity.