The Conflict in the Short Story Hands

As mentioned before, the central character in “Hands” is Wing Biddlebaum. He is clearly a round character because he has more than one side to his personality throughout the story. Wing is dynamic because he makes a change from a kind, outgoing, enthusiastic teacher to a withdrawn, frightened person. For as much as Wing is described, there are still many aspects of his character that seem left out. Perhaps this is for interest.

Wing Biddlebaum, previously known as Adolph Meyers, is a teacher. He “was meant by nature to be a rare teacher of youth. He was one of those rare, little-understood men who rule by a power so gentle that it passes as a lovable weakness.” Since his demeanor is not of the stereotypical man, macho and strong, teaching with force or fear, people are suspicious of him. “Hands” was written in 1919, and yet today in 2000 (81 years later) suspicion sur

. . .
He was not saved because he fought back, but rather he was so small, white and pitiful.

It seems that his only joy in life is conversations with a secondary character, George Willard. It is also revealed that George has the ability to dream, but was afraid to do so. Never is there an indication in the short story “Hands” of hatred or bitterness coming from Wing.

Ironically, Wing Biddlebaum does not know why he was driven out of the Pennsylvania town and almost killed. He does not want to know the truth about Wing’s hands. It is not surprising, then, that his fears would manifest in his fidgeting or hiding of hands. False accusations aside, he has always been misunderstood. It is almost as though without his hands, his dreams cannot be expressed or shared. The only assurance seems to be that the struggles will remain. He does, however, sense that his hands must be to blame.

The reader is not informed about how the two characters met.

Common topics in this essay:
Wing Biddlebaum, Adolph Meyers, George Willard, Willard House, Sherwood Anderson, wing biddlebaum, wings hands, Sherwood Hands, george willard, adolph meyers, wing able, wrongfully accused, reader informed, character george,

Approximate Word count = 1357
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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