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A review by corinadelb
Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkien
5.0
{Read for Literary Techniques & Story Development (LTS) course}
This delightful little short story has been called by most either an allegory or parable, but of which, no one will ever really know for certain because all we can do is interpret the text and draw from what is there or what we know of Tolkien's own life. At the time he wrote Leaf by Niggle, he was occupied with LOTR. Although this tale has nothing to do with Middle Earth or any of the races he's known for, we can draw comparisons between Niggle and Tolkien's own work.
Niggle in the story is preoccupied with a "great painting" one that he continuously adds on to and feels as though he'll never finish. The little man obsesses over the smallest of details like the coloring and shading of each individual leaf on the canvas. This, if looked at in a general scope, can be said about Tolkien as well. Tolkien did not leave any minute detail to the wind in the time he had to write. He knew he would either "finish in great detail or not at all." Tolkien, like Niggle with his paintings, wrote his stories to "stimulate literary pleasure" and enjoyment for the reader rather than for critical analysis (Tolkien's Library Archive, 2008). But some of us find pleasure in critical analysis as well, so it's not like his wish isn't being fulfilled.
From what I've gathered (keep in mind this is my first read-through and I'll have to return to it again at a later time to see if these thoughts hold up) the story is an unintentional allegory to life and death, and heaven and hell or purgatory. Niggle lives in a society that doesn't regard art or pleasure in beautiful things very highly (reminds me a lot of Dorian Gray), and instead values work ethic. In fact, a council determines whether you've lived well enough by their standards, or have squandered the time given to you. I can't say more without spoiling, but these bits and pieces fit together like a vague picture that clears the more you dissect the story under that allegorical lens. There are many other interpretations of the text, some more thought out and less generalized than my own, but I'm no scholar of Tolkien so that's to be expected. I really enjoyed this little fairytale parable and can't wait to purchase my own copy and expand my small Tolkien shelf.
This delightful little short story has been called by most either an allegory or parable, but of which, no one will ever really know for certain because all we can do is interpret the text and draw from what is there or what we know of Tolkien's own life. At the time he wrote Leaf by Niggle, he was occupied with LOTR. Although this tale has nothing to do with Middle Earth or any of the races he's known for, we can draw comparisons between Niggle and Tolkien's own work.
Niggle in the story is preoccupied with a "great painting" one that he continuously adds on to and feels as though he'll never finish. The little man obsesses over the smallest of details like the coloring and shading of each individual leaf on the canvas. This, if looked at in a general scope, can be said about Tolkien as well. Tolkien did not leave any minute detail to the wind in the time he had to write. He knew he would either "finish in great detail or not at all." Tolkien, like Niggle with his paintings, wrote his stories to "stimulate literary pleasure" and enjoyment for the reader rather than for critical analysis (Tolkien's Library Archive, 2008). But some of us find pleasure in critical analysis as well, so it's not like his wish isn't being fulfilled.
From what I've gathered (keep in mind this is my first read-through and I'll have to return to it again at a later time to see if these thoughts hold up) the story is an unintentional allegory to life and death, and heaven and hell or purgatory. Niggle lives in a society that doesn't regard art or pleasure in beautiful things very highly (reminds me a lot of Dorian Gray), and instead values work ethic. In fact, a council determines whether you've lived well enough by their standards, or have squandered the time given to you. I can't say more without spoiling, but these bits and pieces fit together like a vague picture that clears the more you dissect the story under that allegorical lens. There are many other interpretations of the text, some more thought out and less generalized than my own, but I'm no scholar of Tolkien so that's to be expected. I really enjoyed this little fairytale parable and can't wait to purchase my own copy and expand my small Tolkien shelf.