Leaf by Niggle

In a letter to C. S. Lewis, Tolkien said he “cordially disliked” the use of allegory in fictional works. In what ways can “Leaf by Niggle” be read as an allegory? Consider specific settings, such as the mountains, and characters like the shepherd in your response.

In the story, the narrator depicts Niggle as a painter but “[n]ot a very successful one” (85). What point does the author make about the value of nature and art? How does the story’s resolution contribute to this theme?

Niggle’s friendship with Mr. Parish grows over time. Describe how each character develops throughout the story and how each of them developed because of something they learned from the other person.