Leaf by Niggle

Mr. Parish is introduced as Niggle’s neighbor, who was his “only real neighbor” (91) because the others lived a long way off. Niggle also does not like Mr. Parish because he “did not like painting but was very critical of gardening” (91). Readers are not able to hear the thoughts of Mr. Parish like they can for Niggle, but the text seems to indicate Mr. Parish thinks Niggle’s painting is a waste of time and not productive. This feeling is indicated when Mr. Parish comes to call for help and says, “You are very busy, I’m sure” (91), adding the last part as almost a sarcastic remark, though perhaps he did not mean for it to come off that way. Nevertheless, Mr. Parish, like many other in the countryside, prefers practicality over creativity, which puts the two men at odds with one another.

Yet, despite their differences, they learn to help one other after Niggle’s long journey. While Niggle is dreaming and imagining different plants for their newly constructed house, Niggle learns that Mr. Parish “always knew exactly how to set them and where they would do best” (107). From this exchange, the reader learns that Mr. Parish is more than just a needy neighbor, but rather a friend with a wealth of practical knowledge. This shows how, given the proper communication between the two men, their differences complement the other. Mr. Parish’s character provides balance to Niggle’s creativity and at-times self-absorbed tendencies, and in the end, we see how, with a little humility, Mr. Parish comes to appreciate the beauty Niggle adds when previously Mr. Parish simply passed it off as “Niggle’s Nonsense” or “Daubing” (109).

The Driver and the Shepherd appear in the story as both a function and a symbol. Their functions are to guide Niggle on his journey, though he doesn’t know the details of that journey in the beginning. The Driver is the first to help Niggle depart on his journey, though his demeanor is decidedly cold and unwelcoming. When he first meets Niggle, he remarks that Niggle ought to be ready for his journey by now and can’t delay packing. The Driver states, “Well, it’s finished with, as far as you’re concerned, at any rate. Come along!” (96). Symbolically, the Driver could resemble death, which is often described as cold and unyielding much like this character, offering those whose time has run out no sympathy and no alternative way out. Given that the Driver is dressed in black and gives no other indication of his identity or his purpose, this also symbolizes the fear of the unknown as to what awaits in the afterlife. The Porter is a similar character to the Driver, in that he is there to help Niggle with his journey, and even asks Niggle where all his stuff has gone, yet he offers no helping hand nor extends no sympathy to Niggle along the way.

The Shepherd does not come in until the very end of the story: “They saw a man, he looked like a shepherd; he was walking towards them” (108). The shepherd symbolizes the Christian savior, Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Good Shepherd tasked with bringing souls to heaven. Given that Niggle is about to embark on this last portion of his journey, it is fitting that the Shepherd guides Niggle to the mountains that represent heaven.