Readers of this blog will know that I have an interest in handedness , or to give its proper scientific name, laterality since it is not just about hands. And no I am not left-handed: being an economist is sinister enough.
Although my interest in the topic is primarily scientific, it can be fun spotting how handedness arises in all sorts of places. The design of tools, kitchen utensils, sports equipment, fire-arms being examples (you can’t buy a left-handed AK47 for love nor money). It’s something that us right-handers tend to be cheerfully oblivious of. It is possible to buy a wide range of goods designed for left-handers, for example this UK site.
Finding examples of handedness in the arts is a bit harder. One example that comes to mind is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird where it turns out to significant that Mr Ewell is left-handed since the man accused of attacking his daughter Mayella has a crippled right hand & couldn’t have attacked her with his right-hand. I haven’t read the book but I saw a drama based on it in which my talented friend Katie Berger played Mayella.
Last night I saw the film Moonrise Kingdom directed by Wes Anderson. Handedness plays a part here too. The lead female character, Suzy Bishop, is left-handed and her “lefty-scissors” features memorably but I won’t spoil it. I really enjoyed the film:, its whimsical, imaginative and beautifully shot. If you like something that’s a bit quirky and touching at the same time, this is for you.
