hand of glory - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Cloud · 22nd August 2006, 10:04 PM

Ever notice how many characters in SF/F have lost their hands or had them shriveled up or otherwise incapacitated?

Darth Vader; Luke Skywalker; Albus Dumbledore; Wormtail; Lex Luthor; Captain Hook; (hero in I Robot); Thomas Covenant; Roland Deschain; Harry Dresden; Frodo (okay, he only lost a finger, but still. .. ); etc.

Lots of 'em! (and others in other genres, e.g., the one armed man in The Fugitive). But I can't determine if there is a single archetypal symbolism in all this or what. Both heros and villains are susceptible. Do you think it matters which hand? Some of the things suggested to me are a loss of humanity or a loss of leadership, but that doesn't seem to fit.

Loner · 23rd August 2006, 03:02 AM

I think it symbolizes a loss of control...
It harks back to the fairytale of the Handless Maiden.

Cloud · 23rd August 2006, 04:25 AM

I'm not familiar with The Handless Maiden tale. I think loss of control would be a result ipso facto, but I just wonder why it's such a recurring theme

Cloud · 23rd August 2006, 04:28 AM

okay I looked the folk tale up. The Handless Maiden lost both her hands because of her father's greed and is a metaphor for wounded souls.

But I'm thinking the loss of a hand is more of a sacrifice--these heroes (and villains) sacrifice part of themselves to reap a larger reward.

22nd August 2006, 10:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cloud Rahvin's Grammy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 405	hand of glory Ever notice how many characters in SF/F have lost their hands or had them shriveled up or otherwise incapacitated? Darth Vader; Luke Skywalker; Albus Dumbledore; Wormtail; Lex Luthor; Captain Hook; (hero in I Robot); Thomas Covenant; Roland Deschain; Harry Dresden; Frodo (okay, he only lost a finger, but still. .. ); etc. Lots of 'em! (and others in other genres, e.g., the one armed man in The Fugitive). But I can't determine if there is a single archetypal symbolism in all this or what. Both heros and villains are susceptible. Do you think it matters which hand? Some of the things suggested to me are a loss of humanity or a loss of leadership, but that doesn't seem to fit.

23rd August 2006, 03:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Loner Bernard Black wannabe Join Date: May 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 356	Re: hand of glory I think it symbolizes a loss of control... It harks back to the fairytale of the Handless Maiden.

23rd August 2006, 04:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cloud Rahvin's Grammy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 405	Re: hand of glory I'm not familiar with The Handless Maiden tale. I think loss of control would be a result ipso facto, but I just wonder why it's such a recurring theme

23rd August 2006, 04:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cloud Rahvin's Grammy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 405	Re: hand of glory okay I looked the folk tale up. The Handless Maiden lost both her hands because of her father's greed and is a metaphor for wounded souls. But I'm thinking the loss of a hand is more of a sacrifice--these heroes (and villains) sacrifice part of themselves to reap a larger reward.

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