Gimpel the Fool

Ultimately, the theme Singer emphasizes most is that faith and the values that accompany it should be the light that guides people’s lives. Not necessarily faith in religion, which can sometimes be more harmful than helpful, but faith in the world’s mysteries and goodness. Despite the potentially crippling effect of the townspeople’s ridicule and deception, Gimpel is a happy man. And his contentment comes from his abiding faith. He has chosen to study the lies that encircle him, and once he understands them, he believes them by choice. Far from being a simpleton and a victim of self-delusion, Gimpel has faith that his life will not be altered by human lies. He has faith in God, faith in his fellow man, faith in Elka, faith in himself. His faith is so great that he is able to believe what is utterly incredible; his faith enables him to love with his whole being. His detractors and abusers see him as gullible, but he is no such thing. He is a man who accepts that there are significant truths even in man’s lies, and therein lies his faith, the faith that maintains his goodness and assures him that he will be happy even in death.