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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the main character of the story?

2. What advice is given to Gimpel?

3. Who calls Gimpel by his nickname?

4. How are Elka's premarital demands met?

5. What happens when the sexton announces the birth of Gimpel's child at the synagogue?

Short Essay Questions

1. How long is Gimpel with Elka and how is their life?

2. What does the Spirit of Evil say about God and the afterlife?

3. How is Elka abusive towards Gimpel?

4. What does Gimpel rationalize about what he saw when he came home early from the bakery?

5. What does Gimpel see and hear at his house in Chapter 2, when he comes home early from the bakery?

6. Describe the messenger that Gimpel uses to send his family supplies during his separation from his family.

7. What happens at the bakery and what does it allow Gimpel to do?

8. At the end of the story, what mementos does Gimpel awaken with after dreaming?

9. Why is Gimpel called a fool?

10. What happens when Gimpel returns from checking on the goat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Isaac Bashevis Singer is a world-renowned author.

Part 1) Describe Singer's place in history as a writer.

Part 2) Explain why he was and still is pivotal to contemporary literature.

Essay Topic 2

The story of "Gimpel the Fool" is largely effective due to its use of first person narrative. Define first person narrative and discuss why it works particularly well with this story. Also, consider the use of first person narrative in Gimpel the Fool and how would the story be different if :

Part A) The first person narrative was not Gimpel's voice.

Part B) The story was written in the third person.

Essay Topic 3

"Gimpel the Fool" is often said to be a narrative of Jewish persecution throughout history. Explain this, and argue either for or against this opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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