Story in Focus: Hands, Essay Example

Plot Summary: Wing Biddlebaum, a fat and small, old man, lives in a house in the middle of a bustling community. However, although there were so many people surrounding him, no one in the community actually knew who he was because of his aloof personality. No one but young reporter George Willard was able to create a connection with the old man. At first, it was simply odd how he kept his hands away whenever he talked to the young reporter. The story progresses as it presents the story behind Wing’s mannerism which specifically points out the possibility of developing an attitude of homosexuality. The way he keeps his hands away whenever he talks to young George was a distinct representation on how he controls his inner emotions to avoid the same disdain reaction that he got from his community in the past.

Character Analysis: Wing Biddlebaum is specifically shown in the story as somewhat in denial of his own being or his own behavior towards other men. He wanted to control himself and to do this, it was important that he kept his hands to himself. George on the other hand is an innocent individual who wants nothing but friendship from the old man. His pure desire makes him a distinct person to have driven the old man into becoming determined to make sure that he does nothing to harm the young lad.

Setting: The community where Wing lives in is specifically populated and busy. With everyone knowing each other, it was rather odd that no one actually became friends with Wing nor do they stop by just to talk with the man. Perhaps his odd behavior has served as a defining mark that made him less interesting to most members of the community.

Point of View: While the story did not utilize the term homosexuality in a direct manner, it was evident how it entails to represent the truth behind the said behavior. Using Wing as the representation of the said theme, the story tends to show how people who may be feeling odd about themselves and their gender try their hardest to make sure that they keep their feelings to themselves to avoid shame and to avoid pushing other people they love away.

Theme : Complex issues of keeping one’s homosexual identity for the sake of social acceptance was the primary theme of the story. Although Wing was aloof with the people around him, it was evident how he did not want to be criticized either.

Close Reading of a Literary Passage

Story in Focus: Hands

First impression: At the beginning of the story, it seemed that the story treaded on the manner by which a man like Wing could be a misunderstood individual who simply needed time and attention from people who are willing and who can actually understand his situation.

Vocabulary and Diction:  The words used in the story were directly conclusive of the fact that the narrator did not want to show or implicate that the main character is a homosexual individual; instead, he was hoping that the readers would be able to find out about the theme on their own.

Discerning Patterns: The narration proceeds with the ideal pattern of bringing about the truth through gaining an insight from the past; the presentation of the current situation at first part narration of the story and bringing about a sense of distinction on the situation through presenting the past issues that explains the current condition of matters regarding Wing and his attitude towards young men.

Point of View and Characterization: Through using an old man and a young man, the story is able to point out a distinct presentation on the contradiction and distance of thinking between the characters. Relatively, this specifically helps in indicating personality bridges between the two characters which the readers might be able to relate to in the process of interpreting the message of the selection.  

Symbolism, Schemes and Tropes: Wing’s attitude of keeping his hands away was a distinct symbolism on how he tends to control his feelings towards young men. While it may not insist on him being homosexual, it does point out how it was important for him to keep his hands off from those who might misunderstand his behavior and judge him because of his actions.

Importance : The story gives a compelling presentation on how homosexuals are being viewed in the community today. It also provides a distinct indication on how homosexuals themselves try to hide their true feelings to make sure that they are not shunned away by the societies they try to live alongside with. It is only through this way that they could be reconsidered accordingly as legitimate members of their communities and be respected as human individuals as well.