Writers use the word “hands” in literature as a versatile symbol that can depict both tangible physical actions and deeper emotional or metaphorical states. In many works, hands are shown trembling or shaking to express excitement, nervousness, or fear—as when Mary’s hands shook with delight [1] or when nervousness was revealed through trembling hands [2]. At the same time, hands also serve as instruments of agency and connection: Holmes’s rubbing of his hands with satisfaction [3] and gestures of greeting or farewell like a proper handshake [4] illustrate character and intent. In some texts, hands are emblematic of control and fate, underscoring the idea that destiny or responsibility lies “in the hands” of others [5, 6]. Thus, across a range of literary genres and periods, “hands” emerge as a powerful symbol that conveys not only physical action but also the inner life and social interactions of characters.