Lefthandness in fictional characters

[Kvetch]

I am lefthander, and hence keep an eye out for lefthandeness in books. recently I have started compiling a list, and I have noticed that Nathaniel Whaler and Lucius are both lefthanded.

what I wish to know is, are there any other Modesitt characters that are natural lefthanders? (that includes others that are noted as training themselves to be lefthanded (like Lorn?))

Also, does this imply the author is lefthanded?

also, does anyone know of other sinistrals in books?

lefthanded smiley -
righthanded smiley -

[Aunflin]

Interesting, I've paid attention to such details from time to time yet hadn't really thought about it that deeply.

Maybe we could turn this into a Poll: who's left-handed, right-handed--or both?

Personally, I can use either hand equally well, though perhaps that is because I broke my right arm three times as a youngster and was forced to acquire numerous left-handed tendencies. I'm also left-eye dominant, the revelation of which greatly improved my aiming skills...

[MidasKnight]

I'm left handed and right eye dominant (though neither eye can see very well).

I don't think I remember paying attention to any clues that would have led me to believe one of Modesitt's characters were left or right handed.

[Aunflin]

Well, I know for certain Alucius [Corean Chronicles] was left-handed...

The only other left-handed character I recall is non-Modesitt: Prince Josua Lack-hand in Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy.

[MidasKnight]

oh, and the elven lord that had his hand stuck in a cliff ... he became left-handed

(Silmarillion)

[Aunflin]

Yeah, I know the one...can't recall his name for the life of me!

[Darb]

You're thinking of Maedhros.

Morgoth captured him and hung him by the wrist from the heights of Thangorodrim. Fingon rescued him, at great risk to himself, but Maedhros lost his right hand in their escape.

Do I get a Sherlock Point for that ?

- Ye Tolkien Geek

[KiltanneN]

Do I get a Sherlock Point for that ?

- Ye Tolkien Geek

I would say yes - but you will need to get MK & aunflin to agree...

Snowballs anybody?

kilt

[Aunflin]

Sounds cool to me--if MK agrees.

[Ghost]

I’m right handed and left eye dominate, the opposite of MK. I always thought I would make a good pirate / swashbuckler (pistol in my left hand and a sword in my right).

Oh yeh, I also like country music, maybe I’m an Anti-MK.

[Ghost]

MK, sorry I missed read you post we have the same physical characteristics (left eyed/right handed) different likes (music).

oops

[Darb]

Changelings are often depicted in folklore as being sinistral.

As for myself - I'm decidedly lefty (and left eye dominant) for certain tasks (writing, chef work, archery, riflery, throwing, and power punching). However, for many other things I'm nearly ambi ... swords, knives, pistols, dialing the phone, etc. I'll use my right hand for those if required, convenient, or if it gives me an edge.

Being lefty is often an advantage in a fight - we're totally acclimated to fighting left-brained righties, but most righties can't claim the reverse

[KiltanneN]

The Guardian of the Egg of the Phoenix in RAH's Glory Road is fully ambidextrous - and switches mid sword fight from right to left - most disconcerting to a normal righty.

Also, both Wesley aka the Dread Pirate Roberts & the Evil Prince Humperdink in The Princess Bride were able to switch hands from right to left in the middle of a Sword fight.

kilt

[Aunflin]

Well, according to the tests I've taken (for my own amusement), I'm both-brained, which is considered unusual for men, though it is considered fairly normal for women.

/me sighs: the Fates gifted me with a woman's brain...

P.S. Ghost: I do believe you read MK's post correctly the first time.

[Ghost]

Good that is a relief.

[jweb]

I believe Gerswin (from the Forever Hero) was effectively (if not naturally) ambidextrous.

Also, Ryba and the guards of Westwind carried dual shortswords, and some of them were proficient in using both simultaneously.

[torybear]

Relyn from fall of angels becomes left handed after he gets his hand lopped off.

[Darb]

MK: you owe me a sherlock point - pay up, ya deadbeat

[NancyH]

i don't think it counts if you're actually a righty and have converted due to the loss of your right hand! i don't think i'd notice such things, personally. so that's all i have to add

[Darb]

Disagree ... handedness by process of elimination (i.e., severing or paralysis) is perfectly legal IMNSHO

If it looks like a duck, and acts like a duck, then for all intents and purposes it is indeed a duck

[KiltanneN]

(that includes others that are noted as training themselves to be lefthanded (like Lorn?))

For the purposes of Kvetch's question I don't think [s]he cares whether or not they are forced to learn to be a southpaw...

kilt

[jweb]

Here's a thought:

Since the Angels (and probably the Demons, too) were apparently "translated" to an alternate reality, we don't really know whether the physical laws of symmetry are the same or not. Technically, if the symmetry were reversed, all of the "lefties" in the Recluce universe (and/or in the original universe) might really be "righties", and versa-vice.

[Kvetch]

I am interested in naturals, and those lefthanded by circumstance, although I whish to know which are which.

for the translation bit, would that also mean the internal organs are reversed too?

[Ean143]

Well, according to the tests I've taken (for my own amusement), I'm both-brained, which is considered unusual for men, though it is considered fairly normal for women.

Hmmmm, well this is an interesting thread- okay, I'm left-brained (which is considered unusual for a woman I think), left-eye dominant, left-footed, but right-handed. Makes me wonder if I'm just a forced right-hander although I kind of doubt it- so perhaps I'm just lop-sided

ean

[lmodesitt]

I do tend to think about handedness, but that may be because I'm left-handed.

Then, according to what I've read in various places, while something like 10% of the population is "naturally" left-handed, close to half of all fiction writers are.

Maybe that's why the "establishments" of the world tend to frown on writers.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.