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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. What happens on Gimpel and Elka's wedding night?

2. When Gimpel asks Elka about all the negative things he has heard about her and asks that she not be deceitful, what does Elka say?

3. What physical imperfection does Elka have?

4. Where are Gimpel and Elka married?

5. While Elka is in labor, what does she scream to Gimpel?

Short Essay Questions

1. After months of separation, who does Gimpel confront the day after his return and what is said?

2. After claiming he has made a mistake about what he saw at home in Chapter 2, what must happen regarding the rabbi, and what is Gimpel allowed to do?

3. How far does Gimpel go towards revenge?

4. What does the second person he dreams of say to Gimpel?

5. Briefly describe how Gimpel first sees Elka, including Elka's living situation.

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

7. What happens four months after the wedding and how does Gimpel react?

8. Paraphrase the advice given to Gimpel by the rabbi.

9. Describe the setting of Gimpel the Fool.

10. How is Elka abusive towards Gimpel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Gimpel the Fool" questions the definition of truth. Compare and contrast what is true to the townspeople and what is true to Gimpel. Which version is actually true? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the concepts of truth and persecution as they are used in conjunction within the text. What is true to Gimpel? To the townspeople? To God? Which one perseveres, and why? Does truth inspire perseverance? Does one person's truth lead to another person's persecution?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 740 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample