The title of the story can be determined as highly symbolic. It agrees with the contents of the text. Through its title the story conveys the theme of death as “last” is usually used to denote something very close to death or close to the end. The leaf is a symbol of despair that turns into a symbol of hope. Johnsy thinks that the ivy leaf stands for her life, slowly falling away. When the leaf remains, however, it becomes a symbol of hope for her.