GIMPEL THE FOOL
With magnificent characterization and an outstanding point of view, the story "Gimpel the Fool", written by Isaac Bashevis Singer, clearly strengthens the age-old thought that repentance and good deeds will be …show more content…
It makes the rest of the people look like fools. The townspeople are continuously telling him the stories about; "Gimpel, there is a fair in heaven", "Gimpel, the rabbi gave birth to a calf in the seventh month", and "Gimpel, a cow flew over the roof and laid brass eggs" and he believes these, that’s why he is perceived as a “fool”. In one occasion he reveals how his wife physically abuses him and how he tolerates her attacks. Also his brothers assaulted him several occasions but he uses sympathy and tolerance to withstand them. During the story, some normal figures can be characterized in much more in-depth and symbolic values. For example, when Gimpel chooses to leave Frampol. His leaving can be understood on two levels. The first is obvious, that he needs a change of setting or just he wants to get away. When looking at it closely, it symbolizes a cleansing he is experiencing, an emotional revitalization and that he is no longer a fool that everyone can taken advantage of. "I wandered all over the land, and good people did not neglect me" (Singer, 2004, p. 286). At the end of the story, outsiders are accepting him, something he had not felt during his whole life. "It is many years since I left Frampol, but as soon as I shut my eyes again I am there. And whom do you think I see? Elka. I weep and implore, 'Let me be with you,' …show more content…
"Gimpel the Fool" does exactly that, gives you a behind-the-scenes visit of the mind of Gimpel. We see inside his sincere personality, his feelings, and his believes. We understand that forgiveness is in his heart when he forgives Elka for cheating on him. The townspeople tell stories about Gimpel that show how naïve and "easy to take in" he was: "Every woman or girl who came to bake a batch of noodles had to fool me at least once." We learn he is passive and enthusiastic to please when he consents to get married with the township “whore”. He then explains on why he doesn't get even against the townspeople's annoyances: "If I ever dared say, 'Ah, you're kidding!' there was trouble. People got angry. What was I to do? I believed them, and hope at least that did them some good." This illustration also shows his unselfishness for others, and his noble character.
“Gimpel the Fool” teaches us an important lesson; you get what you give. Also, it teaches us that you should not worry too much on small challenges or problems. The author uses methods such as well organized characterization, strong symbolism, and a deep point of view to effectively get his point across. The story show us to think outside the box and teaches us compassion, passionate love, and an unprejudiced method of thinking of the world around
With magnificent characterization and an outstanding point of view, the story "Gimpel the Fool", written by Isaac Bashevis Singer, clearly strengthens the age-old thought that repentance and good deeds will be …show more content…
It makes the rest of the people look like fools. The townspeople are continuously telling him the stories about; "Gimpel, there is a fair in heaven", "Gimpel, the rabbi gave birth to a calf in the seventh month", and "Gimpel, a cow flew over the roof and laid brass eggs" and he believes these, that’s why he is perceived as a “fool”. In one occasion he reveals how his wife physically abuses him and how he tolerates her attacks. Also his brothers assaulted him several occasions but he uses sympathy and tolerance to withstand them. During the story, some normal figures can be characterized in much more in-depth and symbolic values. For example, when Gimpel chooses to leave Frampol. His leaving can be understood on two levels. The first is obvious, that he needs a change of setting or just he wants to get away. When looking at it closely, it symbolizes a cleansing he is experiencing, an emotional revitalization and that he is no longer a fool that everyone can taken advantage of. "I wandered all over the land, and good people did not neglect me" (Singer, 2004, p. 286). At the end of the story, outsiders are accepting him, something he had not felt during his whole life. "It is many years since I left Frampol, but as soon as I shut my eyes again I am there. And whom do you think I see? Elka. I weep and implore, 'Let me be with you,' …show more content…
"Gimpel the Fool" does exactly that, gives you a behind-the-scenes visit of the mind of Gimpel. We see inside his sincere personality, his feelings, and his believes. We understand that forgiveness is in his heart when he forgives Elka for cheating on him. The townspeople tell stories about Gimpel that show how naïve and "easy to take in" he was: "Every woman or girl who came to bake a batch of noodles had to fool me at least once." We learn he is passive and enthusiastic to please when he consents to get married with the township “whore”. He then explains on why he doesn't get even against the townspeople's annoyances: "If I ever dared say, 'Ah, you're kidding!' there was trouble. People got angry. What was I to do? I believed them, and hope at least that did them some good." This illustration also shows his unselfishness for others, and his noble character.
“Gimpel the Fool” teaches us an important lesson; you get what you give. Also, it teaches us that you should not worry too much on small challenges or problems. The author uses methods such as well organized characterization, strong symbolism, and a deep point of view to effectively get his point across. The story show us to think outside the box and teaches us compassion, passionate love, and an unprejudiced method of thinking of the world around