The Meaning of Hands

     Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio explores a great many subjects, one especially significant being hands. By describing the hands in different ways, Anderson reveals the attitudes of the characters and the emotions that they are feeling. This concept is a focal point in the chapter called "Hands".

     Anderson typically refers to hands as either hands or fists. Classically a fist represents anger and passion, while the open hands represent hospitality and understanding. This is taken to the next level in the character of Wing Biddlebaum, a schoolteacher with constantly moving hands. Instead of fists symbolizing merely anger, in Wing they represent his frustation and timidity. In his hands he feels he has the power to inspire, but because of some very unfortunate circumstances he clenches his hands into fists, trapping the dreams inside of them and cutting off their 'powers'.

     Wing is constantly in an emotional struggle to control his hands because he is worried that once again they will bring him trouble. Anderson uses Wing's hands to represent him as a whole person, for instance each time Wing thrusts his hands quickly into his pockets it shows that he is trying to hide something. The immediate action of putting his hands in his pocket is symbolic of guilt, a guilt that Wing feels over his past. Wing even shows a sort of anger at his hands, constantly beating them against stumps and doors while he talks to keep them busy. It's as if the hands must be brutalized while he talks or else they will take control of him and he will be punished because of what his hands did.

     Hands are a very important fixture in Winesburg, Ohio and reappear throughout the novel. In their own way, the hands of the characters are the physical manifestation of the characters inner state. When Wing is scared he puts his hands in his pockets and hides them, but when he is excited and talking of dreams his hands are active and alive. The way the characters use their hands in this book is incredibly important and can help to bring a new perspective to each of them.