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The Hand

Written by Jerry Sohl

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Science FictionShort storiesHuman-alien encounters

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About this book

"The Hand" by Jerry Sohl is a science fiction short story published in the early 1950s. Set against the backdrop of a rural American farm, the narrative explores themes of alien encounters and the consequences of human actions. The story begins with the protagonist, Alice McNearby, discovering a severed human hand brought home by her dog, Dobie, and quickly escalates into a tense interaction with extraterrestrial beings in search of the hand. The tale revolves around Alice's tumultuous relationship with her husband, Mac, and their encounter with an alien who claims the severed hand belongs to one of his crew members. After Mac carelessly discards the hand, believing it to be worthless, he becomes increasingly hostile towards the alien. Tension mounts as Alice pleads for understanding, while Mac remains obstinately violent. In a tragic turn of events, Mac's cruelty culminates in him suffering a similar fate as the alien when his own hand is severed, emphasizing the story’s themes of empathy, greed, and the repercussions of one's actions in the face of the unknown.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Hand, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 1 hours
  • intermediate
  • tense
  • cautionary
  • mysterious

Jerry Sohl's "The Hand" is a chilling 1950s science fiction short story that explores the dark side of human nature through an alien encounter on a rural American farm. The narrative centers on Alice McNearby, who discovers a severed hand brought home by her dog, leading to a tense confrontation with an extraterrestrial seeking its lost crew member's limb. Her husband, Mac, dismisses the alien's pleas with violent hostility, carelessly discarding the hand and escalating the conflict through his xenophobia and greed. The story culminates in a tragic, karmic twist, as Mac suffers the same fate he inflicted, underscoring themes of empathy, the repercussions of prejudice, and the dangers of human cruelty in the face of the unknown.

“"It's just a hand, Alice. Worthless."”

Key themes

Empathy vs. Xenophobia/Intolerance
This is the core conflict of the story, explored through Alice's attempts at understanding and Mac's violent rejection of the alien. The narrative highlights the dangers of fear and prejudice against the unknown and the vital importance of compassion.
Consequences of Actions / Poetic Justice
The story strongly emphasizes that one's actions, particularly cruel and prejudiced ones, will inevitably lead to repercussions. Mac's fate is a direct, mirrored consequence of his own lack of empathy and violence, illustrating a karmic principle.
The Unknown and Fear of the Other
The alien represents the ultimate 'other' – an unknown entity from beyond human experience. Mac's response is driven by primal fear and an inability to cope with something he cannot understand or control, leading to aggression.

Worth discussing

How does Sohl use the alien encounter to comment on human nature, specifically xenophobia and empathy?

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