cond example of "foolishness" Gimpel says, "I was no weakling. If I slapped someone he'd see all the way to Cracow. But I'm really not a slugger by nature. I think to myself, 'Let it pass.' So they take advantage of me." These are not words of a fool, but they are words of a very trusting, wise, and reliable character. Next, Gimpel's descriptions of himself do a big part of creating his character. In the opening lines he says, "I don't think myself a fool. On the contrary." And to support that, in the last few sentences, he acknowledges the fact that the kids are taking advantage of him. It really makes Gimpel out to be not a fool, but into some kind of martyr. He may look and act like a fool because of his innocence and naivete, but it's his good heart that makes him never want to let anyone suffer, not even himself. The rejection of the devil is shown by his beliefs in God, along with the references of him visiting and consulting his rabbi and paying respect and homage to his church. Also his good and understanding heart, and the fact that he forgives everyone of what they did to him, reveals his god-like temperament. The fact that he learns of his wife's unfaithfulness and that his children are bastards and not his own and still supports and loves them undoubtedly reveals another one of his saint-like characteristics Thirdly, the actions of the narrator, him being a nonviolent person, make him out to be above that kind of behavior, which doesn't make Gimpel a fool at all. It makes the townspeople the fools. The main reason why Gimpel is portrayed as a fool is because the fantastic stories like "Gimpel, there is a fair in heaven", "Gimpel, the rabbi gave birth to a calf in the seventh month", and "Gimpel, a cow flew over the roof and laid brass eggs" that the townspeople are constantly telling him and that, more importantly, he continues to believe. He reveals that his wife physically abuses him and he endures the brunt of her a...
