Analysis Of Leaf By Niggle

Does artwork have benefits or does artwork only provide meaningless contributions to events happening in the real world? Some people might view art, paintings, music, writings, as a boring hobby that does not relate to the problems or situations in their life. However, others may see art as a way to express feelings or communicate important ideas debated in the world today. In the short story, “Leaf by Niggle,” J.R.R. Tolkien uses Niggle’s painting of a tree as well as the Great Tree to illustrate how art can have value in people’s relational and spiritual lives.

The Great Tree, Niggle’s painting brought to life, reveals how pieces of artwork can lead a person to appreciate the talents of someone else. For example, when Niggle discovers the

For instance, after a short time in the Workhouse, Niggle became a “master of his time,” and he “know just what he could do with it” (297). Before leaving for his journey, Niggle could not balance working on his picture as well as tending to his other responsibilities. However, because of the direction of the two voices at the workhouse, Niggle begins to learn how to mange his time. Similarly, the process of developing artwork can reveal the weaknesses of artists. This leads the individuals to look to God and realize that they need his help in order to grow from their flaws. Additionally, after leaving the Workhouse, Niggle rides down a hill and “before him stood the Tree, his Tree, finished” (302). Niggle’s painting, created in the real world but fully realized in the afterlife, proves that art can provide a way to show a glimpse of Heaven. When people in the real world use their innate creativity to produce pieces of art, the artist can reflect certain parts of life after death, even if they do not know in the moment. By using the Great Tree and Niggle’s painting, Tolkien reveals how art offers spiritual value, such as the need for dependence on God as well as providing a glimpse of

Immediately after Parish arrives from the Workhouse, Niggle and Parish walk arm in arm together and silently agree on where to start their work (305). Despite Niggle and Parish not having a good relationship when they lived as neighbors, they both arrive in Niggle’s picture, put aside their past, and peacefully work on the Great Tree. This development in their relationship reveals how working on a piece of artwork with someone else can help bring people together. When this happens, those two people can grow a strong relationship, even if they share many differences. Similarly, when speaking about Niggle’s Parish, the Second Voice states that “I am sending more and more there. They seldom have to come back” (312). Because of Niggle’s artwork, people in the afterlife can come together and find complete recovery in Niggle’s country. No matter their personalities or opinions, they all found peace together through their time in Niggle’s Parish. Reflecting on pieces of art can lead people to come together physically; however, because artwork can transcend cultures and beliefs, viewing art can also cause people, despite their differences, to develop friendships and understand others better. Through the creation of the Great Tree, the author reflects how art can bring people, from all walks of life, closer