Here's a breakdown of the conflict:
* Wing Biddlebaum's Past: He was a schoolteacher who was wrongly accused of inappropriate behavior with his students. This accusation, regardless of its truth, shattered his life and led to him becoming an outcast.
* His Present: Wing lives in isolation, haunted by the past. He constantly struggles to control his hands, which he believes betray his true nature. He fears they will reveal his secret and lead to further ostracization.
* His Yearning: Despite his isolation and fear, Wing craves connection. He desires a sense of belonging and the chance to be accepted for who he truly is.
* The Internal Struggle: The story explores the internal conflict between Wing's desire for human contact and his overwhelming fear of exposing his past, leading to his social isolation and ultimately, his tragic death.
The central conflict in "Hands" is a poignant exploration of stigma, shame, and the power of fear to shape a person's life. It's not a conflict with external forces, but rather a conflict within Wing Biddlebaum himself, making it a powerful and deeply moving story.