Leaf by Niggle

[Gwaihir]

I think that this thread will be short-lived, just like the other threads of this section. But I really want to talk about this.

Has anyone read Tolkien's short story called Leaf by Niggle? I've read it this summer. It is an interesting story, and the last part really touches me every time I read it.

The problem is, I don't understand it very well. If anyone has read this story, can you tell me what the First Voice and the Second Voice were, why Niggle had to go on a journey, and why his picture became a real place?

[Gwaihir]

Hmm... I guess no one's really read this thing. :( Well, I guess I should've expected that. In the book called "Tolkien Reader", there is Leaf by Niggle, On Faerie Stories, Farmer Giles of Ham, Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and others. You should read that book.

[Mirkgirl]

mmm I have read it.... I even found my book and reread it when I saw this thread... and then I forgot of course

I think it's all about interpretation... you are free to understand whatever you want in this book... I have no idea what Tolkien wanted to tell us.

The world where Niggle lives is a world where there are stages... he had to go on a journey like we have to die (at least I understand it that way) it was the next stage. The First and the Second voice were the ones who let people pass in the third level (or at least it's third here) which appears to be special, while the second one is more general... They decide that Niggle has deserved to see his painting, which was the meaning of his life, as he hasn't been able to see it ready because of his neighbour and still he cares about the neighbours well being...

The one who dedicated his life to the others and to art got to see it real and help many people with it... while people like Tompkins are happy because they got his house and that's as much happiness as they can ever feel.

mmm whatever this didn't make much sense
Don't you see Tolkien's ME as Niggle's Leaf? The same details made into a big picture... the same feeling that it could never be "finished"... isn't this the hope to see his world as Niggle saw his? However maybe Im wrong as it would work better with a latter work and LbN isn't one (I think? If someone can check I'd appreciate it)

Anyway I'll stop ranting right now...

[Gwaihir]

Well that explains some things. Thanks Mirky. ;) You're usually the knowledgable one. It hasn't even occured to me before that Niggle's journey and all that could be stages in a life.