1. Is it a picture of the natural world, the civilized world, or a combination of the two? Which side does the scale tilt to, nature or civilization? Is there significance in your choice? Does it reflect what you really value?
2. Compare it to Niggle's picture, which is very simple, almost elemental: tree, house, garden, field, mountain, sky. How many "elements" are in your picture? Would you describe it as simple or complex?
3. What are the predominant emotions you feel when you think about your picture, or being in your picture?
4. Is the fantasy you created for this assignment "useful" to you in any way? Explain briefly what you think its "uses" are. (Remember, we discussed Tolkien's ideas about the "usefulness" of fairy stories.)

Among other things, "Leaf By Niggle" is an allegory that illustrates Tolkien's convictions abou the nature of "fairy story" and its "usefulness" as an art form. The story expresses what appears to be his profound conviction that art can be a catalyst for growth: spiritual growth or psychological growth, however you choose to interpret that. In "On Fairy Stories" he makes an eloquent point about fantasy having the power to transform the callow, selfish, lumpish soul of youth into something wiser and more dignified. He believed in the transformational power of art.

• Niggle changes. He transforms from being a petty, finicky, anti-social, procrastinator who puts off the real issues that matter (his "spiritual journey") as well as real life, and becomes someone a lot wiser and more tolerant. He becomes more "neighborly," which may have spiritual overtones.
• Parish changes: he loses his insensitivity and indifference. He becomes less "lumpish" and "lame."
• Even the First Voice changes its opinion about Niggle; he's not as worthless as the First Voice makes him out to be. There's something redeemable about him after all.
  

At the heart of all this positive change is the work of art, Niggle's picture, even his little lone leaf. The work of art communicates a vision that other people can share. As he explains in "On Fairy Stories," people other than the artist can reap the benefits the work of art has to offer: fantasy, recovery (of the world around us), escape (from the world around us!), and consolation (the happy ending).

You created a fantasy. How does it compare to Niggle's? Is it stripped of the modern world like his? The essence of Tolkien's fantasy is "Beauty." What beautiful things we imagine, we can somehow visit. Is your fantasy something beautiful, or something else?