Interesting thoughts, all of you - thanks! Nar, the idea that the name 'Parish' be taken literally is an angle I hadn't thought of before. It would correspond with the use of 'Niggle' as the name of the main character and Squatter's additional information would go with it. However, I'm not quite convinced!
For one thing, something as generalized as a church parish doesn't seem to fit in with the fact that Parish is a person - Niggle's closest neighbour at that. Also, I don't recall reading that Tolkien felt that his church made such personal demands on him. Let me tell you what my notion is:
Parish is Edith!!
Mind you, I am not absolutely convinced of this on all points, so my opinion is open to discussion; however, I will explain my idea. First, the closest neighbour: Who would be closer than the spouse? Tolkien had male friends, but though Parish's gender is male, the personality does not correspond to one of them. Then, Edith was (emotionally) dependant on JRRT, making demands on his time and almost certainly not appreciating his work or realizing its scope. She interrupted him with matters he considered unimportant, insisted on punctuality at meals etc. and resented his evenings away with his male friends and colleagues.
Niggle's reunion with Parish after death and purgatory, both having come closer to each other's attitudes and priorities, suggest to me that Tolkien hoped to reach that closeness with Edith in the afterlife which they could not quite achieve during lifetime. They then would accomplish something wonderful and sub-creative together.
Is this interpretation possible? If so, I am convinced that JRRT was not aware of it and created Parish without consciously knowing whom he meant.
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'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth.. .'
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