dead hand

Question

Hello everyone,Is “dead hand” in this context a metaphor? Does it mean undying institutions?…they have acquired that character of restlessness, that impatience of forms, that disdain of the dead hand, which now broadly marks them. (Source: The American Language (1919), by H. L. Mencken)Thanks.

Enoon · Accepted Answer

It's a http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/dead%20hand, Anglicized "http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/mortmain". (Take that, spellchecker.) It is the oppressive influence of the past on the present.

Clive · Answer

Is “dead hand” in this context a metaphor? Yes, quite a common one. A fuller phrase is 'the dead hand of the past'.

Does it mean undying institutions? Mencken is speaking of the English, as compared to Americans. In an earlier sentence, he says of the English that "their whole lives were regulated . . . by a regard for precedent". 'Dead hand' refers to the way that the English permit the past to influence and control their present actions.This happens through traditions, which include traditional institutions.

…they have acquired that character of restlessness, that impatience of forms, that disdain of the dead hand, which now broadly marks them. (Source: The American Language (1919), by H. L. Mencken)

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for telling me this, enoon.
I learn something new with each visit to the forum.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks Clive, for your explanations. I'm now able to truly understand that sentence. And I feel happy.
Thank you very much.

dead hand

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