Leaf By Niggle

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy Stories and his short story “Leaf by Niggle” illustrate the concept of sub-creation and shows how it connects to Creation. The two works complement each other very well. Particularly, the story presents Tolkien’s thoughts about art, expressing oneself, and responsibility toward neighbors. “Leaf by Niggle” illustrates an insightful depiction of the author himself. Furthermore, it presents inspiration for artists, writers, scholars, and all who engage in constructive labor, and provides guidance to those who are under the pressure of too much work.

The origins of fairy stories are as ancient as language itself. In the “On Fairy Stories”, J.R.R. Tolkien attempts to provide answers to the questions that the

This is the type of world Tolkien wants to create, and which he has created in many of his works. Tolkien dubbed these worlds as “secondary worlds,” their significance is for the reader to escape their current world and dive into a desirable world. The human mind is built to create imaginary worlds that are alternatives to our primary worlds.

“Leaf by Niggle” is a short story written by J.R.R. Tolkien, it was first published in The Dublin Review in January1945. It can also be found in Tolkien’s book titled Tree and Leaf. This is well-known because the book, which contains “On Fairy Stories” and “Leaf by Niggle,” proposes the fundamental philosophy of most of Tolkien’s fantastical writings. “Leaf by Niggle” could be an allegory of Tolkien’s own imaginative process, and possibly, of his own

All Niggle wants is to paint this vision, but he persistently intruded by his neighbor and by disturbances of other responsibilities. Before he can finish his illustrious, grand painting, Niggle is sent on an unexpected journey. This journey leads him to a place where he is forced to do laborious work and to relax. After a long time Niggle hears voices conversion about him. They send him to a vast, exposed landscape with a magnificent tree, which Niggle soon understands that this tree was his own vision. Niggle comes to a realization that he would need help from his neighbor, Parish, in order to complete the painting. After completing the painting, Niggle treks onto his next stage into the mountains, while Parish stays behind for his wife. In Niggle’s hometown, he is considered shortly as a minor painter and then forgotten completely. In his new town, his completed masterpiece has developed into an invigorating “pit-stop” for travelers.

As mentioned before, J.R.R. Tolkien’s “On Fairy Stories” and “Leaf by Niggle” share the common concept of sub-creation. Tolkien’s concept of sub-creation may be defined as the process of creating an imaginary or secondary world, contrasting from the primary world but coherent. Using this definition roughly, one may consider any artist as a sub-creator, a secondary world does not only