Gimpel finds purpose beyond his orphan status and label of “fool,” while Elka finds stability to counterbalance her reputation of “whore” (Singer 279). Eventually, the balance of control shifts to Gimpel after Elka’s death, when she has asked for his forgiveness, and he chooses to strike out on his own rather than retain his slipping grasp on the family with which she had teased
Gimpel finds purpose beyond his orphan status and label of “fool,” while Elka finds stability to counterbalance her reputation of “whore” (Singer 279). Eventually, the balance of control shifts to Gimpel after Elka’s death, when she has asked for his forgiveness, and he chooses to strike out on his own rather than retain his slipping grasp on the family with which she had teased