Repression in O.Henry's "the Last Leaf": a Psychoanalytic Principles

This article explores the concept of repression as depicted in O. Henry’s short story "The Last Leaf". Drawing on Freudian psychoanalytic theory, the paper examines how characters suppress painful realities and desires, allowing unconscious motives to influence their behavior. Through close textual analysis, the study reveals how repression operates both as a defense mechanism and as a narrative device, shaping the story’s emotional depth and thematic resonance.