In virtually every mythology, the person who dies does not design their own hell or paradise, as only a deity or deities can create the unknown. Niggle is a sub-creator (or, as I like to think of him, a 'mini God'), and manages to create his own afterlife through his drawing, which does not fit into the narrative of a person experiencing life, death, and God's intended afterlife at all. I'd say this fact is one of the main reasons I personally cannot view Leaf by Niggle as a strict spiritual allegory as some people might. But I would like to hear other people's thoughts on Niggle's mini God status and how it fits in with your view of the work overall.
-Varda*
1 comment:
I think that a sub-creator is, by definition, a “mini God” like you say, in Tolkien’s worldview. Essentially, it’s called sub-creation because it’s a person following in the footsteps of a creator God. This reflects the Bible where it says man was made in the image of God - so attributes like Creativity are in imitation of God.
I wouldn’t say that Niggle designs his own afterlife, rather the point is that he goes on to continue sub-creating after his death. I think Tolkien’s trying to say that sub-creation is an eternal calling rather than something that will be done once people die. It reflects the last lines in “Mythopoeia” about the poets in “Paradise.” So I think that aspect of the story still fits well with an allegorical reading.
~Ulmo
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