As we look at many different stories, each story has its own different craft elements, some being more important than others. The craft elements are what make the story what it is. In Gimpel the Fool, by Isaac Bashevis Singer, we see how the setting and character are by far, the most important elements of the story. Without truly understanding these two elements, it would be nearly impossible to fully understand this masterpiece.
What makes this short story special is that there is no mention of when this could've taken place. The fact is, this could've taken place anywhere from the middle ages, until the Holocaust. The reason so is because the Jews lived in shtetals, or towns where the outside world is mostly cut off to them, or completely irrelevant to their daily lives. The only difference would be the size of their house, but otherwise, the way they carried out their lives, their dress, language, food and names would be the same. Within the first sentences, we see that the town they live in is Frampol, a typical highly populated Jewish town in Poland. In a Jewish town the most important and highly respected man was the Rabbi. Congregants from all over the town would go to the Rabbi for advice, as did Gimpel many of times. The Rabbi had a power to tax and the power to conduct a rabbinical court, amongst many other things. "Asking the rabbi for advice" was .
a popular line in all of Eastern Europe. On many important issues or problems that come up, the rabbis from different towns would write to each other to establish a uniform rule how to deal with it. As we see in Gimpel the Fool, "You can go home then. You owe thanks to the Yanover Rabbi. He found an obscure reference in the Maimonides that favored you." .
In The Jewish community that Gimpel lived in "the husbands the master" and the woman did not have most privileges like the men. Elka swore and cursed at Gimpel, which is a sign that there was not true love, and was famous around the town for being a whore.
An Analysis of Gimpel The Fool Gimpel the Fool is a story written by Isaac Bashevis Singer. ... Gimpel The Fool is a story about a simple man named Gimpel. ... He says, "I am Gimpel the fool" (Kennedy 68). ... He is not Gimpel, he is Gimpel the fool. ... Gimpel The Fool is written in the first person. ...
The story "Gimpel the Fool" by Isaac Bashevis Singer is about a particular society that takes advantage of a young man by calling him names like "fool, imbecile donkey dope" (Singer, Pg 96). ... Gimpel is known as a "fool", but as the story builds up one can see he is a wise man: "I am Gimpel the fool I don't think myself a fool. ... These few lines clearly show that Gimpel does not accept himself as a "fool", but it is how people prefer him as. ... Gimpel shows that character as being a "fool", but he knows that there is no other way to prove he is not. ... They are the fool" (97)....
In the story of Gimpel the Fool, a very strong case could easily be made that he was no fool at all. ... Gimpel was much more of a wise man than a fool. ... They use Gimpel instead and call him a fool. The whole time, their definition of fool is wrongly placed towards Gimpel, and all the while, they are the ones who are acting foolishly. ... In reality it was those who were making fun of Gimpel who were the true fools. ...
Gimpel the Fool, as he is called by the people of the Jewish town of Frampol, is constantly ridiculed and poked practical jokes at. Gimpel himself does not believe himself to be a fool, however. ... The rabbi advises Gimpel that it is better to be a fool than evil, for innocence is always the better quality. ... Before Gimpel can say anything, she tricks Gimpel by sending him away and hiding the apprentice. Naive Gimpel then dismisses it as possibly his imagination. ...
Critical Essay: Gimpel the Fool "Gimpel the Fool", by Isaac Bashevis Singer, is an excellent short story with elements like style, characterization, and theme to make the Jewish tale a delight to read for young and old. ... Characterization of Gimpel is an extremly important part in telling the story "Gimpel the Fool" successfully. The whole story, even from the title, is based on Gimpels character, which is a fool. ... He says to himself, "Gimpel isn't going to be a fool all his life. There's a limit even to the foolishness of a fool like Gimpel...
A Sense of Redemption Isaac Singer's Gimpel The Fool is the story of a Jewish man who is as nave as a child. Gimpel is portrayed as the town fool and is considered unworldly. ... He is taught by the word of the Father's that, "It is written, better to be a fool all your days than for one hour to be evil. ... She appears as a burnt and blackened form that says, "You fool! ... I'm paying for it, Gimpel. ...
Who's the fool? Gimpel was not a fool, but instead a man who believed fully and wholeheartedly in others. ... While Gimpel was still in school, he was given the nickname "Gimpel the fool-. ... There's a limit even to the foolishness of a fool like Gimpel."" ... Gimpel the fool went into the world as a fool no longer. ...
English 1302 Character Analysis on "Gimpel the Fool" Gimpel lived most of his life being a fool, though he did not consider himself to be one. ... Gimpel was given the name fool early during his life while he was still in school. ... Gimpel was a fool despite his self-denial. ... Gimpel lived his life as a fool though he considered himself not to be one. ... He thought he found love in the end, but even love was able to fool Gimpel. ...