(1) Rocha, Biff. Learning to Love in the Little Things: Exploring Tolkien’s Purgative Allegory “Leaf by Niggle”. Principium Institute Faith and Fiction 1. Toledo, OH: Principium Institute, 2017. J.R.R. Tolkien is best known for his The Lord of the Rings trilogy. His shorter essays are less well-known. One of his most important essays, however, “Leaf by Niggle,” is full of wonderful lessons. In this brief essay, Dr. Rocha shows how Tolkien’s “Leaf by Niggle” functions as a purgatorial allegory underscoring the importance of putting love into the little details of ordinary life.
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