WHAT iS THE TURNING POINT OF THE STORY ''THE LAST LEAF''? BY O.HENRY

The turning point of a literary narrative is synonymous
with the climax, or point of highest emotional intensity. Is it not ironical that the
turning point of O. Henry's "The Last Leaf" conincides with the
turning of the final leaf to yellow and dying?  For, when old
Behrman joins Sue upstairs in hers and Johnsy's flat, and they apprehensively stare out
the window by Johnsy's bed, "the looked at each other for a moment without
speaking." 

This line is the turning point
of O. Henry's short story because it is at this point that both Sue and Behrman have the
emotional realization that Johnsy will give up her spirit if she sees that all the
leaves have died on the outside vine.  It is also at this moment that Behrman realizes
that he must do something to save Johnsy.  The little curmudgeon then decides to paint
the leave onto the window in order to rescue Johnsy from certain death.  This is his
"masterpiece" as it is his gift of love for the young woman, a sacrificial gift as he
dies, ironically, from pneumonia himself after having painted in the cold
rain.