Hands

The underlying ambiguity of “Hands” and the portrayal of Wing Biddlebaum are central to highlighting appearance versus reality in the story. Anderson creates a dissonance between the narrator’s depiction of the protagonist and society’s view of him. This ambiguous representation underscores the complex nature of human identity and the disparity between outward appearances and inner truths.

The truth about Wing Biddlebaum’s alleged molestation of his pupils lies at the heart of the narrative. Anderson emphasizes the disconnect between the protagonist’s perception of events and the belief of his pupils’ parents that he is a pedophile. The narrator introduces further ambiguity in describing Wing Biddlebaum’s physical interactions with the boys. Although his habit of “stroking” their shoulders and “touching” their hair while talking to them is undoubtedly inappropriate, it is presented as an innocent, unconscious gesture, underlining his desire to inspire his pupils. The narrator’s declaration that “[i]t needs the poet” to accurately convey Wing Biddlebaum’s intentions clearly signals that his motivations are spiritual and not sexual (7). In this context, the pupils’ parents become philistines, unable to recognize the purity of the teacher’s actions.

The gap between appearances and reality is also emphasized in the description of the child who made the original accusation.