Comparison Of Wing Biddlebaum And Doctor Reefy In Winesburg, Ohio

A Painful Past
Sympathy can be expressed in many forms, but instances where one wrongly suffers is remembered greater than other instances. Similarly, in Winesburg, Ohio, by Sherwood Anderson, there are two characters that the readers empathize with: Wing Biddlebaum and Doctor Reefy. Wing Biddlebaum is described as a timid individual who is misunderstood by society for expressing his love for children, whereas Doctor Reefy isolates himself from society after the death of his wife. In both cases the readers are able to connect with the characters, but the connection is even greater with Wing Biddlebaum. Wing Biddlebaum evokes greater sympathy from the readers due to being misrepresented by society whereas Doctor Reefy is a victim of the circumstances

When Biddlebaum speaks to George Willard “ a look of horror swept his face. With a convulsive movement of his body, Wing Biddlebaum sprang to his feet and thrust his hands deep into his hands deep into his trousers pockets. Tears came to his eyes. ‘I must be getting along home. I can talk no more with you,’ he said nervously” (30). Wing Biddlebaum’s past events results in him to associate his hands with homosexuality. which originates from his beating for allegedly raping a child: “‘I’ll teach you teach you to put your hands on my boy [half witted child], you beast,’ roared the saloon keeper, who, tired of beating the master, had begun to kick him about the yard” (32). Biddlebaum’s fear of his hands have come from the actions of one unreliable child, and these actions results in the destruction of Wing Biddlebaum’s standing in society and inhibits him from expressing his alacrity for expressing love. However, this affection should not be mistaken for homosexuality. When Biddlebaum taught at the schoolhouse, he had a soothing nature with children and not a pedophillic intent: “He was one of those young men in whom the force that creates life is diffused, not centralized: (32). Biddlebaum’s caring nature shows that he does not deserve to be treated as a pedophile for his love for children. The illusion that many of the characters have of Wing Biddlebaum’s pedophillic nature is merely a misunderstanding, and this misunderstanding results in Wing Biddlebaum to be fearful of