Gimple The Fool Article Review Sample

Introduction

This is a response to the questions on Gimple the Fool. The book talks of the history, beliefs and culture of the Israelites. It is a story about Gimple, his life as an orphan and his relationships. He is considered a fool in the society judged on his behavior. This paper will give an overview on analysis of the story.
Gimple was thought to be a fool because he believed in everything he was told. He had complicated his life with religious teachings. He always believed that whatever the Rabbi told him was the truth. People knew his weakness and had taken pleasure in misusing his belief. He is forcefully engaged to Elka with whom he bears no child with. Elka is an infidel, a whore who sleeps around with men and yet married to Gimple. She explores Gimples foolishness by ensuring him that the kids she bears are his. Unfortunately, Gimple vows to believe in anything his wife tells him.
According to the teachings by the rabbi, Gimple realizes that the only way he can make it to paradise is through being a fool. He believes that those that brand him a fool are evil and unaware of their deeds. Gimple always wanted to be trustful and not arrogant. Therefore, he agreed on everything he was told. His compliance to lies is as a result of rabbis teachings. He believes any time one becomes complacent and arrogant, they are doing evil. He comforts himself by believing that one day he will get to paradise.
Elka represented the superior while Gimple the inferior being. She can exploit her husband anytime she wants. It is evident when Gimple had gone to ask for her hand in marriage, Elka ignores his question on her chastity. She says, she is paying dowry so she has control over him. He becomes a subject to his wife.
Judaism as a religion should have strong pillars and teachings that will help followers and not create more troubles. Unfortunately, Judaism has been misleading Gimple in making wise decisions. When he is tired of life with Elka, he visits the temple to ask for intervention. The rabbi used teachings that instead of helping him are destroying him. He has to believe that whatever the rabbi is saying the truth and he can’t revoke it. He is even threatened that, if he doesn’t the word then he will never see paradise.
Gimple believes in supernatural beings. He always doubted resurrection but he could not himself from deceit when he told that his parents have resurrected. When the dark spirit appeared in his dreams telling him he should avenge the society. He quickly wakes up, urinates on the dough so that his revenge could be felt by the whole village.
Biblical illusions are depicted when the priest fools Gimple to believe that whatever he was doing was right since he was assured of paradise. Moreover, Elka convinces Gimple that the pregnancy she had after four months of their marriage had everything to do Adam and Eve. She makes Gimple believe that even Adam and Eve had a premature kid during their time.
The story talks of religious and foolishness. We realize that the plot revolves around these themes. Gimple is used as an epitome of foolishness and religion. He is easy to deceit because he is religious and believes in evil.
The story draws a line between wisdom and foolishness. Gimple is a fool because of his actions. He is the opposite of wisdom. Elka is cunning and an opportunist.

Work Cited

Singer, Isaac Bashevis. Gimpel The Fool. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1957. Print.