Gimpel the Fool by Isaac Bashevis Singer (1953)

I found an extended translation with commentary of this interesting short story online.  The story is a fascinating journey through the ethical dilemma of scapegoat treatment.  The townspeople project all of their insecurities and moral failures onto Gimpel to maintain a sense of collective superiority. They identify Gimpel as a fool to validate their own cleverness and moral superiority. Gimpel is the container for the town's malice. This dynamic mirrors the historical (and current) demonization of the Jews: the majority creates a false narrative (big lies) and punishes the minority for existing.  Gimpel decides to accept his role as a fool.  He understands the deception.  Gimpel decides it is better to be "a fool" than to be cruel. By refusing to defend his ego, he prevents the malice of the town from turning violent. Gimpel is the only character who maintains a coherent moral arc. The town and people have a fragmented reality of lies and shifting loyalties. Gimpel remains committed to truth. Gimpel bears the injustice and remains uncorrupted by the lies. 4/5 Stars.