In-depth Analysis: Last Leaves Falling's Themes and Characters

This essay provides an analysis of Sarah Benwell's novel 'Last Leaves Falling,' focusing on the protagonist Sora, who suffers from ALS. The essay explores the themes of loneliness, friendship, and acceptance as Sora seeks comfort and meaning in his final days. It examines the author's plot development, Sora's relationships with Mai and Kaito, and the introspective narrative style. The essay also touches upon the cultural references to Samurai traditions and concludes by highlighting the emotional impact of Sora's dignified death. Desklib offers a variety of solved assignments and study resources for students.

Running head: ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
English Assignments
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
In the book, the main protagonist is Sora who has ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The
author of the book is Sarah Benwell (Benwell 234). Some of the things that have been depicted
in this book through its storyline are really depressing. The beautiful plot development of the
author has been one of the most impressive things of the book.
It will be much important to develop an idea about the plot of the story in a better way.
This would give an insight into the matter indeed. The protagonist of the book Sora is a Japanese
teenager boy and she has become much lonely and isolated for her disease. Being so much lonely
and isolated (Benwell 234). Sora wanted to take the help of the ancient Samurai so he could be
guided and given comfort. However, he is able to find some comfort in the present times and he
is desperate to get the healing. The story develops with the friendship and acceptance of Sora by
the other people. As the future of Sora is quite uncertain, he tries to find some comfort through
some means indeed.
The author has shown her exquisite brilliance in weaving the plot of the book and mixing
it with the theme. The theme of the story deals with the fact how Sora would be able to live the
few days he has left with him (Benwell 234). The novel by Benwell has evolved with the
sparseness of haiku. In the novel, the author has shown that Sora always wants to live a
meaningful and happy life that has been taken away because of the disease he has been suffering
from. The motivation to live well had become a huge challenge for Sora indeed. The friendship
of Sora with Mai and Kaito had been very much influential for the group indeed. The mood
fluctuations of Sora and his good and bad days can be considered as the integral parts of the
scenario. The counselor of Sora, Dr. Kobayashi has been shown only from the point of view of
Sora. Thus it is completely a biased one indeed (Benwell 234). The narrative style of Sora has
been much introspective and it has led to the understanding of the situation of the readers. The

2ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
references to the Samurai culture have been provided in the story in various manners. This is
why the readers are very much attracted towards this story. This description of the story has
revealed that suicide is only the personal choice of Sora. The two friends of Sora got together
and they became almost inseparable throughout the following days. This becomes the essence of
the story (Benwell 234).
Thus to conclude the paper it can be said that the storyline of the book is quite enchanting
and all the people within the story have contributed their best to take the climax to a new height.
The death of Sora with the dignity has brought tears to the eyes of the readers indeed.

3ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
References
Benwell, Sarah. Last Leaves Falling. [Place of publication not identified]: Simon & Schuster
Books, 2016. Print.