Leaf By Niggle Summary

“The escape of the prisoner” not “The flight of the deserter” (Tolkien “OFS” 79). This is how J.R.R Tolkien describes escape as one of the four main functions of fairy stories. With this, Tolkien suggests that the reader should be using fairy stories to escape the situation that they are born into; however, he disproves of readers using fairy stories to escape their responsibilities (“OFS” 79-80). A sub-creation is a secondary world that the mind can enter. It is extremely difficult to achieve as the illusion can shatter if the audience finds something that is not believable within that realm (“OFS” 60). Tolkien believes that escape is essential to a successful sub-creation. In Tolkien’s short story, “Leaf by Niggle”, Niggle escapes his situation through his painting. While Tolkien never mentions the artist relationship to the four functions of fairy stories, Niggle’s escape …show more content…
Niggle uses his art as a release when he grows frustrated with his everyday life. He escapes his strict town by immersing himself in his sub-creation. When Niggle is forced to decide between continuing with his art or attending to his responsibilities, he always chooses to complete his duties and attend to his neighbour's needs before doing what he loves. This sacrifice shows that Niggle is willing to keep up with his work despite his unwillingness, is congruent with Tolkien’s definition of escape. When Niggle escapes from the workhouse, he still completes duties that are necessary to build himself a new life in Niggle’s Parish (“LBN” 115). In both cases, Niggle’s escape reflects Tolkien’s definition of escape, thus demonstrating that an artist can experience the functions of fairy stories in regards to their own