What role does hope play in the life of human beings? Elaborate your answer in context to the story ‘The Last Leaf’no

I think that human beings pretty much are unable to live without hope.  We certainly see that in O. Henry's portrayal of Johnsy in this story.

I believe that we human beings have to have hope to live.  We need to be able to feel that tomorrow will be as good as or better than today.  We need to feel that our lives can always improve.  Otherwise, what is the point in being alive?

You can see the need for hope in the case of Johnsy.  When she did not have hope, she was pretty much convincing herself to die.  But once the old man painted the leaf, she had hope and convinced herself to live.