Singer Gimpel The Fool

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The story Gimpel the Fool by Isaac Beshevis Singer is a tale of a man whom the townspeople consider a fool. They pick on him, tease him, and generally mistreat him. They call him many names and play dirty tricks on him. However, the story does have a symbolic meaning to it. It is a lesson that people must not let outside influences dictate their mood, well-being, feelings, or actions. People must also be confident in themselves and do what they feel is the right thing to do in their heart. Gimpel is actually much more intelligent then the townspeople believe him to be. He has a strong moral compass and although he can easily defend himself against the people who torment him on a day to day basis he simply turns the other cheek and walks away. Gimpel even went as far to have said, "I was no weakling. If I slapped someone he'd see all the way to Cracow. But I'm not a slugger by nature. I think to myself: let it pass" (Singer 405). He doesn't allow the constant bullying to affect him and by not letting the bullies get to him, he has won. If people lets someone get into their head then they let that person dictate their mood, happiness, and can even let that person control their actions. Gimpel leads a righteous life and is very obedient …show more content…

This is what makes Gimpel a smart man. He would rather remove himself from a situation where he would act out of his nature than do something that he would later regret. Gimpel may have been considered a fool by the townspeople but they overlooked his graciousness. It doesn't make someone a fool because he trusts someone and takes them at face value. It makes the person that is disloyal or mischievous a fool for breaking his trust. Everyone eventually has to face their maker and be judged for their actions on this earth. Gimpel can rest assured that his actions were moral and

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