The Daughter Born During Gimpel and Elka’s Separation Character Analysis

During the time that Gimpel and Elka are separated, while the rabbis discuss whether it would be appropriate for them to resume their marriage, Elka gives birth to a daughter, whom Gimpel names after Elka’s deceased mother. After the rabbi tells Gimpel that it is alright for him to return home, the first thing Gimpel does is look in the crib to have a look at the new child. He falls in love with it at once. Unfortunately, like all the children Gimpel believes are his, this daughter is actually the product of one of her mother’s affairs, as Gimpel learns just before Elka dies.