Leaf by Niggle

In the story, the narrator depicts Niggle as a painter but “[n]ot a very successful one” (85). What point does the author make about the value of nature and art? How does the story’s resolution contribute to this theme?

Niggle’s friendship with Mr. Parish grows over time. Describe how each character develops throughout the story and how each of them developed because of something they learned from the other person.

One of the hallmarks of Tolkien’s style is his detailed descriptions of landscapes. In “Leaf by Niggle,” how does he use visual and auditory imagery to develop settings and advance the story’s themes?

How does the author’s love of nature shape this story? How do his views on industrialization and the environment impact the story’s themes, settings, and overall meaning?

How does Tolkien’s Catholic faith inform this story? Where does the author weave religious allusions and Christin symbols into the story, and how do these literary devices influence the significance of Niggle’s journey?

How does Niggle’s journey illustrate the transience of life? Why is it significant that his beloved painting of the tree is left unfinished?

Mr. Parish does not recognize the value of Niggle’s creativity until the very end, when he is able to see the tree right in front of him in the field. What does this teach us about the value of art and the role it plays in our lives?

What do the two voices in the story symbolize, and why are they important? How do they inform the narrative’s key themes?