"The Hand" is a short story by Colette that was first published in 1948. The story centers on a woman named Laurence who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her hand in a tragic accident. Laurence is deeply traumatized by the loss of her hand, and she becomes obsessed with the idea of getting a prosthetic replacement.
Despite the efforts of her husband and friends, Laurence becomes increasingly isolated and obsessed with her missing hand. She spends her days obsessively staring at her empty sleeve and longing for the return of her hand. Laurence's husband, Pierre, becomes worried about her mental health and tries to distract her with trips and activities, but Laurence remains fixated on her missing hand.
As Laurence's obsession with her missing hand grows, she becomes more and more distant from her loved ones. She starts to see her missing hand as a symbol of her own worth and identity, and she becomes convinced that she will never be whole again without it. Despite this, Laurence's husband and friends remain supportive and try to help her come to terms with her loss.
Eventually, Laurence's husband takes her to see a renowned doctor who specializes in prosthetics. The doctor shows Laurence a variety of prosthetic options, but Laurence is disappointed to find that none of them feel like her real hand. She becomes even more despondent and begins to believe that she will never be able to regain the life she had before the accident.
In the end, Laurence's husband takes her to see a hypnotherapist who helps her come to terms with her loss. Through hypnotherapy, Laurence is able to confront her grief and accept that her missing hand is a part of her past, but it does not define her. She learns to move on and embrace her new life without her hand.
"The Hand" is a poignant and powerful story about loss and acceptance. It touches on themes of grief, identity, and the importance of support from loved ones. Colette's writing is evocative and deeply moving, and "The Hand" is a must-read for anyone who has experienced loss or struggled with grief.