Characterism In Sherwood Anderson's 'Hands'

Humans are social creatures that rely on others to validate their existence, and in Sherwood Anderson’s “Hands”, Wing Biddlebaum acts as an example of how other’s perceptions shape who a person is and how they live their lives. Society is prone to mob mentality ways of thinking that penalize particular people for actions that they cannot help. People choose to see what they want to see, and if they choose to see someone as a predator then that is what they will be labeled. If one sees themselves in a negative light then that perception will become their reality. Wing Biddlebaum is at a disadvantage because of his lively hands used for expressing his appreciation of man; his hands are perceived as mechanisms only capable of destruction by those around him, which causes a sense of hatred within himself. People’s perceptions of the world and of themselves

Wing Biddlebaum allows people’s perceptions of him to alter how he views himself and lives his life. Though he was a person that knew what he loved and found his calling, Wing transforms into meek, timid man afraid of expressing who he truly is. Society pushes people to conform, and when a person does not or cannot conform they are often ridiculed. Wing is an example of the effects inflicted upon a person due to the pressures and powers society possesses. By illustrating the power that people possess and how strongly people seek validation from others, the author is able to express the need for a change in society. People like Wing Biddlebaum with distinguishing features are not to be looked down upon for their differences but validated and accepted because they are still human. Allowing society to operate on a system of pass or fail acceptance does not work. People have to learn that how they perceive others may have more consequences than originally