1Assistant Professor, Department of Language, Culture and Society, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Ramapuram, India
2Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Language, Culture and Society, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Ramapuram, India
This paper explores the intersection of medicine and literature through the framework of Medical Humanities in The Last Leaf. The short story portrays the illness of Johnsy, who suffers from Pneumonia, and reveals how psychological and emotional factors influence medical recovery. The study analyzes the relationship between illness, patient psychology, and healing through concepts such as psychosomatic response, prognosis, empathy, and narrative therapy. The story illustrates how hope and compassion can function as therapeutic elements alongside medical treatment. By examining Johnsy's mental state and Behrman's sacrifice, the paper demonstrates how literary narratives provide insights into patient experience, caregiving ethics, and emotional healing. This research contributes to the field of Medical Humanities by highlighting how literature can deepen our understanding of illness and recovery beyond biomedical perspectives.
Keywords: Medical Humanities, Narrative Medicine, Illness Narrative, Pneumonia, Psychological Healing, Patient Experience.
How to cite this article: Vilasini KA, Shirlin J. Disease, Despair and Compassion: A Medical Humanities Perspective on The Last Leaf. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3): 212-213. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3.27
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None