Leaf By Niggle – J.R.R.

Tolkien – Pages – 44 to 49 – Study Questions

As you read fill in or answer the following -

1. The main character is called Niggle. Sometimes when a thought worries us we

say – There is a niggling thought at the back of my head. Therefore, in your
opinion the word niggle could mean _________________

2. Niggle was a __________________________ by profession. Was he particularly good at

it? Underline an example on page 44 to support your answer.

3. Niggle is ‘just idle’... ‘kind hearted’.... ‘loses his temper’..... ‘grumbles’. What kind
of a picture do you form about Niggle based on these comments? Write a
sentence summing up your opinion of him.

4. Give examples to show that Niggle was a procrastinator. (Procrastinator

means someone who delays things)

5. What was painted on Niggle’s canvas? (give at least 3 details) Why do you
think he was obsessed with it?

6. Give an example from page 45 to show he was negligent.

7. What tells you that Niggle wanted his picture to be appreciated?

8. Who is Parish?

9. Was Niggle liked by people? Give an example

10. Is Parish a troublesome man? (Look at page 46 and give an answer)

11. a. The Inspector and b. The Driver. Why do they come to visit Niggle?
a.

b.

12. Why doesn’t Niggle refuse the The Driver?

Leaf By Niggle – J.R.R. Tolkien – Pages – 49 to 54 – Study Questions

1. What does Purgatory look like in Niggle’s story?

2. Try and explain the following in context –

a. The officials and attendants were unfriendly, silent, and strict –

b. He was never allowed outside, and the windows all looked inwards –

c. At first, during the first century or so (I am merely giving his impressions) –

d. They may have been waiting for him to get better and judging ‘better’ by some
odd medical standard of their own –

e. ...He began to have a feeling of – well, satisfaction: bread rather than jam –

f. He got through quite a lot in a day, now; ...He had no ‘time of his own now’...yet
he was becoming a master of his time; he began to know just what he could do
with it –

4. Why is Niggle made to dig so much?

5. Who do you think are the two Voices?

a. Voice 1 represents –
b. Voice 2 represents –

6. List in the following columns list the similarities and dissimilarities of the
Voices by quoting examples -

Similarities Dissimilarities
Example 1 – They are both voices Example 1 – They judge him on
sitting in judgment different parameters – Voice 1 harshly
and Voice 2 in a kinder manner
Example 2 Example 2

Example 3 Example 3

7. Why does Niggle feel overwhelmed and ashamed at hearing ‘Gentle

Treatment’?
 8. Why does Niggle want to see Parish?

9. Underline all the descriptions (Pages 52 to 53) to show Niggle had now
crossed Purgatory and entered a better place. (Underline at least 4)

10. When Niggle finds Parish in the new land they seem to exchange their roles.
Now Niggle does all the building and gardening but Parish only walks around –
especially around the tree. Why?

11. The ALLEGORY GRAPH – Fill in the last two columns based on your
understanding of the complete story.

After the
Second Voice
Niggle gives him
Niggle’s goes on a ‘gentle
Life on journey treatment’ –
Earth – he and
L he is allowed
was kind reaches a
I to go to a
but he did workhou
T beautiful place
not do his se where
E where he sees
duty – he he is
R his “TREE”
neglected made to
A and meets
his daily work on
L Parish. He and
work, different Parish now
grumbled things till
M work together
unhappily he is
E
when he asked to
A
had to help rest –
N
Parish. when his
I
N actions Niggle is now on
are his journey to
G Heaven. Now that
judged he has done his
duties – he can
Has to go work on perfecting
through his art. Parish who
many Did not appreciate
stages of Art – now does so –
Purgatory And realizes that
Commits To purify Art too is
sins himself important in life.

ALLEGORICAL MEANING