Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson is made up of many short stories describing figures which share similar histories of a failed passion in life. Many are lonely outcasts who struggle with a burning fire which still glows inside of them. "Hands" is a touching story in this novel which describes the lonesome, dreary life of Wing Biddlebaum. Once a normal person, Wing had a beautiful gift, he could use his hands to heal and to make people happier. He spoke dreamily, and with his hands and voice tried to convey that dream into the hearts of the young boys he taught. However, a traumatizing event forces him to become a "grotesque," lonely person, as many other characters in the book. There is a recurring theme of solitude and shattered dreams throughout the story that causes the reader to commiserate with the main character.
Wing Biddlebaum's story is a heartbreaking one. It is of the extreme consequences of a shattered dream. He had the "gift" of teaching people how to follow their dreams. As a teacher, Wing would persuade his students to pursue their dreams, and never give up until they had accomplished it. However, Wing's friendliness and love towards
Because of the fact that Wing didn't want to use his hands ever again, he grew to be an exceptionally lonesome man. Wing's hands had once been his way of expression like a pen or typewriter is a writer's manner of expression. Wing's hands are described as quick and skillful; he is brilliant in this way. But his skill is tainted and feared therefore not allowing Wing to communicate his brilliance in the way that he needs to, to be a happy person. At the beginning of the story Anderson describes both his house and his personality in one sentence, "Upon the half decayed veranda... a fat little old man walked nervously up and down.". The half decayed veranda suggests that he doesn't receive many visitors in his house. Since the house is also a reflection of him, this image projects the idea that his loss of confidence has caused him to become apathetic. The author's description of Wing would make one picture him as an unattractive man that lacks self confidence and is always insecure of his actions. He has lived in Winesburg for a long time, but he "did not think of himself as in any way a part of the town". He is a lonely individual who probably has a lot to
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