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First Voice
The Second Voice is one of the two Voices that discuss Niggle’s character and decide whether he deserves to move from the Workhouse to the “next stage.” It is gentler than the First Voice and focuses more on Niggle’s genuine efforts to abide by the laws of his country and help his neighbor. The First Voice mentions that the job of the Second Voice is to “put the best interpretation on the facts,” and it yields to its decision, implying that the Second Voice holds the authority to decide the verdict of each case. This distribution of power implies that, in general, the gentler and more empathetic approach to judging others is perhaps the fairer one.
Second Voice Quotes in Leaf by Niggle
The Leaf by Niggle quotes below are all either spoken by Second Voice or refer to Second Voice. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Leaf by Niggle Quotes
“What was the matter with him?” said a Second Voice, a voice that you might have called gentle, though it was not soft—it was a voice of authority, and sounded at once hopeful and sad. “What was the matter with Niggle? His heart was in the right place.”
“Yes, but it did not function properly,” said the First Voice.
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“Could you tell me about Parish?” said Niggle. “I would like to see him again. I hope he is not very ill? Can you cure his leg? It used to give him a wretched time. And please don’t worry about him and me. He was a very good neighbour, and let me have excellent potatoes, very cheap, which saved me a lot of time.”
“Did he?” said the First Voice. “I am glad to hear it.”
There was another silence. Niggle heard the voices receding. “Well, I agree,” he heard the First Voice say in the distance. “Let him go on to the next stage. Tomorrow, if you like.”
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Second Voice Character Timeline in Leaf by Niggle
The timeline below shows where the character Second Voice appears in Leaf by Niggle. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Leaf by Niggle
...“The Niggle case.” There are two distinct voices. The First Voice is harsher, while the Second Voice is gentler but still commanding, “at once hopeful and sad.”
(full context)
The Second Voice is more sympathetic to Niggle, referencing the unique charm of his paintings and his tendency,...
(full context)
...he blushes and hides in his blanket, feeling that he doesn’t deserve the praise the Second Voice has given him. The First Voice notices Niggle’s reaction and realizes he has been listening...
(full context)
...for him so that he could pass into Niggle’s forest. Niggle says that it’s the Second Voice who deserves thanks.
(full context)
...many people before they journey into the mountains. It has been so effective that the Second Voice has sent increasing numbers through the region. The First Voice suggests that they decide on...
(full context)
