PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH

HANDS
by Sherwood Anderson

This short story by Anderson is about Wing Biddlebaum, the character being talked about in the story. The story has two setting, Winesburg, Ohio where Wing is currently residing as a worker and in Pennsylvania where his real name was known, Adolph Myers, a teacher who was accused of sexually abusing his male students and was driven out because of false accusations forcing him to change surname and a place to reside.
In the psychoanalytic/psychological approach, had had a psychological trauma and is face with the everyday dilemma in controlling his behavior. We can see in the story that Wing is a “touchy” person, who I inclined to caress his students in the shoulders, head, and certain parts of the body that are not private. This could be related to his id where he acts upon the unconscious and natural reaction of his individuality. These actions, though not harmful yet inspired many of his students, caused many to misinterpret his good intentions. One particular character is the boy who fantasized his teacher’s actions and resorts it to become a reality in the boy’s sphere of unconscious realm, if I understood properly, this state can be taken from the Jungian approach of individuation where the boy’s psychological perspective differed from others by think in think in g that Wing’s action towards him is special, in my opinion. The id can also be seen in the barber, where he reacted to the notion of Wing’s conduct.
The ego which represents repress or control of the id and superego is portrayed by. Biddlebaum’s ego is seen when he is with George William, his only friend in Winesburg. Wing’s actions like beating the wall or table, or stump or fence using his hands puts him at ease that he is able to feel a different sensation of physical pain rather than the urge to touch William. The superego is best seen in the last part where he, Wing, is talking with George. The conversation with George as his friend who needed enlightenment and inspiration triggered his id, ego, and superego but the ego was the victor for Wing chose not to see George as he may fall victim of Biddlebaum’s hands.
The story has many conveying words that may be related to sexual symbols or actions by the use of the character’s hands. This story also gives relation to people who are talented and skilled but lacks the self awareness of the individual’s natural reaction or mannerisms.