Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood Anderson

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Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood Anderson

In Hands by Sherwood Anderson we have the theme of isolation, loneliness, alienation, fear, freedom and connection. Taken from his Winesburg, Ohio collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and very early on in the story the reader realises that Anderson may be exploring the theme of isolation and loneliness. Wing lives alone and the narrator tells the reader that Wing ‘did not think of himself as in any way a part of the life of the town where he had lived for twenty years.' This line is significant as it not only highlights to the reader the idea of loneliness and isolation but it also serves to inform the reader that for twenty years Wing has isolated himself from others or at least has not felt as if he was part of the community. However it is also significant that Wing is waiting for George Willard. Though George is mainly absent from the story, by introducing him to the reader, Anderson manages (or succeeds) in introducing the theme of connection. Despite isolating himself from those around him (and those who live in the town), Wing still feels the need to connect with others, in this case George Willard.
Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood Anderson Author
Hands Sherwood Anderson Theme
Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood Anderson
Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood Anderson Foundation
Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood Anderson AuthorThis paper analyses characters of three short stories: 'Hands', 'Adventure' and 'A Man of Ideas' of Winesburg, Ohio for exploring features of Anderson`s grotesques, using his definition. Despite the fact that all characters and their stories are completely different, it can be concluded that grotesque characters are common people of. Describe symbolism in Hands by Sherwood Anderson. Mugen de dragon ball super. Asked by bookragstutor. Last updated by Jill D on 04 Nov 17:39 Answers: 1.

Symbolism in hands by sherwood anderson books

Anderson further explores the theme of connection when the reader learns that prior to moving to Winesburg, Wing was a teacher, though unfortunately he was wrongly accused by his pupil's parents of inappropriate behaviour (fondling the pupils). This accusation of Wing's inappropriate behaviour towards his pupils is significant as it is through these accusations that Wing has become alienated from others and despite the passing of time (twenty years) Wing remains alienated or distant (or isolated) from others (apart from George Willard). The fact that George appears to be Wing's only friend also serves to highlight (or place an emphasis on) the theme of alienation.
There is also a sense of irony in the story. When Wing is talking to George he tells George that ‘You (George) are destroying yourself. You have the inclination to be alone and to dream and you are afraid of dreams.' This line is important because if anything it is Wing who is destroying himself, isolating himself from others and the shortcomings he is accusing George of having are in fact his own shortcomings. Though his continued isolation (or fear) of others is understandable considering what has happened him (wrongly accused of fondling his pupils).
Symbolically Wing's hands may also be important as people often use their hands to express themselves, which seems to be the case with Wing too. However due to the accusations made against him, Wing spends the majority of his time with his hands in his pockets. If anything by hiding his hands, Wing is left unable to express himself which in turn may suggest his inability to connect with others. It may also be a case that Wing uses his hands to communicate with others and by hiding them he is unable to do so.
The theme of freedom is also explored in the story. It is during his time with George that Wing has the ability or is free to express himself (and also use his hands). However it is also interesting that Wing walks away from George when they are talking. It is possible that Wing remains deeply traumatized from the accusations that were made against him and as such he may not be able to fully allow himself to be free. It also appears to be the case that Wing continues to blame his hands on what has happened him and as such no longer possess the ability to freely (and fully) connect with others. It may also be important that George never arrives to Wing's home. Anderson (by having George absent) may be suggesting that life will get no better for Wing. He is to continue living his life, alienated and isolated from those around him. The fact that Anderson also compares Wing's hands to ‘the beating of the wings of an imprisoned bird' may also be important. Anderson may be suggesting that Wing too will remain trapped by his hands.
The religious imagery at the end of the story is also interesting. Anderson compares Wing, as he is kneeling eating the crumbs, to ‘a priest engaged in some service of his church.' Anderson also describes Wing's fingers as ‘flashing in and out of the light' and that they ‘might well have been mistaken for the fingers of the devotee going swiftly through decade after decade of the rosary.' This imagery may be important as it is possible that Anderson is suggesting that, though Wing has been misunderstood by others, his hands are not an expression of evil or of something dark but rather they are his tools for communicating (with others) and expressing love. Just as somebody may use their fingers to go through the decades of a rosary while praying or communicating with God, likewise Wing uses his hands to communicate (and connect) with others.
Cite PostMcManus, Dermot. 'Hands by Sherwood Anderson.' The Sitting Bee. The Sitting Bee, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 
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Hands Sherwood Anderson Theme'Hands' is the story of a fat, oldman named Wing Biddlebaum who lives isolated in the town life of Winesburg,Ohio. He remained a mystery to the people after moving there 20 years ago. Uponreading the story, we can say that the theme of the said story is isolation andloneliness. The main character of the story lives alone and does not think thatof himself as in any way part of the life of the town where he lives and hadlived for how many years. We know that Wing Biddlebaum is a former teacher andwe learn that the main character has supposedly inappropriately touched theboys he teaches and is now suffering the consequences. This is the reason whyhe has moved to this town. The effective use of symbolism and imagery seems toclearly demonstrate that Wing's actions were sinful and now he is feeling guiltfor doing something wrong. 
Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood AndersonThe most prevalent image in thestory is his hands. It was described as little, nervous and restless. He isvery expressive with his hands when talking. Because of his sin, Wing hasplaced himself in a situation that prevents him from socializing with otherpeople and more importantly prevents him from continuing in the journey of lifetowards happiness. His hands described physically as having slender fingersgives us a feminine picture and of him and tells us what his sexual preferencemay be. 
Wing spoke closely only to GeorgeWillard, the boy reporter of the Winesburg Eagle. George would occasionallywalk to his house in the evenings and Wing looked forward to these times. Onlywith George would Wing become alive. These things happening in the story addsto the feeling that Wing is a sinner; that he belongs to the federationJ. Why is it that Wingalways looks forward to these times? What are they doing? It gives us the ideathat they are doing something every time George comes to his house. And that something isn't that nice tomention. The suspicion is worsened by the fact that Wing would only come alivewhen George is around. Hmmm isn't that fishy?? JJ.We are told that Wing's hands are quick and skillful; he is talented. Thequestion is 'in what way?'
If Wing is a sinner, the ravine inwhich he lives so close to can be seen as hell. Through his action, Wing hasbrought himself closer to hell, and while he hasn't yet made the plunge downthe ravine, his surrounding would indicate that he has not made anyimprovements by changing his thoughts and/or behavior. He lacks the courage tochange. Wing's actions support this as he is always nervous and frantic. Hegoes out and stands on the fence, looking down the road for George, and thehurries back to his house, frightened or coward. Because he has not trulyrepented and changed, he is stuck near the ravine and cannot continue on thejourney of life. 
Symbolism In Hands By Sherwood Anderson FoundationAs Wing looks out towards thepublic highway, we are shown a boy and a maiden from the berry wagon who areobviously flirting. This is to show us and Wing how things are meant to be:boy/girl and man/woman, not man/boy. 
In the flashback to the time whenWing was the school teacher known as Adolf Myers, we are given multipledescriptions of how Wing would stroke the shoulders and touch the hair of theboys he was teaching. These images tell us that something inappropriate isgoing on which, as mentioned, caused why he transferred to Ohio. The lastparagraph of the short story tells us that Wing hasn't change. It was mentionedin the paragraph that 'he still hungered for the presence of the boy, who wasthe medium through which he expressed his love of man'. With this sentence allsuspicions are being confirmed. Wing is a sinner. He indulged and is indulginginto something that a real man should not be doing. This also confirms that hehas done something to his students in Pennsylvania and the accusation of thepeople there are all true. He used George to satisfy his needs and to expresshis love not towards a woman but towards a man. This last paragraph of theshort story answers all questions that is formulate din the minds of thereader. 