Leaf by Niggle

Niggle’s story is written in a conversational style, similar to the fairy tales one might tell children. The writing is kept short and simple, almost childlike in a sense, and is told from the view of a narrator who tells Niggle’s inward thoughts as well as his actions and the actions of other characters. Because of this narrative structure, the reader gets a sense of Niggle’s inner struggle between wanting to finish his painting and wanting to help those in need. Though the reader can tell that Niggle does not want to help Parish initially, he eventually concedes because deep down Niggle knows it is the right thing to do, and in the end, this act is what helps the Voices decide whether he is ready to move on from the workhouse to something for comfortable. Furthermore, this structure of narration allows readers to get a better sense of the emotional journey Niggle is taking while he ventures far away from home. Though the narration is not strictly from Niggle’s perspective, the reader can sense Niggle is apprehensive about his journey for several reasons. Then, while on the journey, there is an indication that Niggle is afraid, as he has lost all of his belongings and eventually falls ill from working too much and eating too little. There are also feelings of guilt and remorse, and Niggle listens to the Voices decide his fate, and then eventually, peace and acceptance when Niggle and Mr. Parish finally part ways as dear friends near the end of the story. The simplicity of the narration of each character allows them to remain childlike and relatable throughout the entire piece, thus enhancing the connection readers feel toward them.

Similarly, the beginning line—“There once was a little man named Niggle” (87)—sets up the tone of the piece to be a lighthearted story about a man who needs to go on a journey but doesn’t know when or where this will take place. On the surface, this story could come off as one man taking a journey to a far-off place as sort of a strange impromptu vacation. Then, along the way, he learns several life lessons about the importance of friendship and putting others before oneself. However, the structure of the story leaves much room for interpretation, as many of the characters and plot points are just vague enough for people to insert their own thoughts into the story yet pointed enough to convey specific themes and imagery.

For example, though one interpretation of Niggle’s long journey reads it as an allegorical interpretation of the Catholic journey to the afterlife, it could also be interpreted as the general human unpreparedness for death and what comes after. The depiction of a tall man in black who arrives shortly after Niggle falls gravely ill is common depiction of death in many stories. There is also a sense of mysteriousness to the Driver, who has no name or any other descriptors, which connotes the uncertainty death brings in its wake. This is another possible example as to why Niggle felt he could not have prepared for this journey. Because little is known about death and the afterlife, Niggle could not have possibly known what he would need on his trip, and even though he packed his belongings quickly once the driver came, they did him no good on the trip.

Additionally, the imagery throughout the short story takes the reader on a trip full circle, as it starts out with a lighthearted feel (as Niggle paints his tree) then transitions to a darker, more ominous scene (as Niggle falls ill and departs on his long-awaited journey), and then finally returns to a more lighthearted, peaceful feeling as Niggle finds his place with his tree and working alongside Mr. Parish. The imagery plays an important role throughout the story, setting the mood of each scene and indicating that trouble is coming, trouble is here, and trouble is passed. In the beginning, though the mood is somewhat lighthearted, Niggle is far from at peace. He is constantly worried about finishing his painting before his long journey, and the anxiety he feels causes him to neglect his neighbors. After his journey, however, the imagery is far brighter and more colorful, with descriptions of the forest “marching out on both sides” and the mountains “glimmering far away” (104). This imagery is starkly different from the beginning, which signals that the foreshadowed trouble has finally subsided and the journey is almost at an end.

Lastly, at the close of the story, the reader is brought back to Niggle’s home, where they learn that the canvas of Niggle’s picture is used to repair roofs, but a corner is preserved and put in a museum. This symbolizes the transience of life and how all things eventually fade away. Yet, in the same instance, it symbolizes that art is still a worthwhile endeavor. Though other characters chide Niggle for spending time on his picture, a piece of it (and by extension, Niggle himself) is preserved for generations, thus proving all the naysayers wrong. Likewise, the characters who squabble about the worth of Niggle’s painting are completely ignorant of the lessons Niggle and Mr. Parish learned on their great journey. The reader knows that if those characters were aware of that great journey, they would not talk so harshly about Niggle and Mr. Parish. However, that awareness enriches the story’s ending: The reader walks away with a valuable lesson from Niggle and Parish, while the characters do not.