When a man cannot express his sexuality in a socially acceptable way, how does he come to terms with his desire? By comparing Wing Biddlebaum in "Hands" of Winesburg, Ohio and a "queer" man in "An Encounter" of Dubliners, this paper seeks to show that repressed sexuality, whatever the reason, tends to express itself through different media: i. e. verbal, tactile or sadistic. Both enjoy talking with the boys they encounter. Biddlebaum, a village teacher, shows tactile addiction by continually touching the boys while delivering them impassioned messages. The "josser" seems quite sadistic because he prefers whipping above all. Phenomenally, both men gratify their sexual desire because at the end of their verbal/sexual session, they look so impassioned and consummated. At their moment of physical climax, however, they are struck by guilt or "superego." Hence they live alone either at the edge of town or in a field, homeless. Biddlebaum looks like a pedophile, while the "josser" is a pervert. Can we judge their sexuality and criticize their behaviour? Their cases are not simple. First, they can`t help who they are. They are subject to their sexual orientation. Second, Biddlebaum proves a warm, nurturing teacher, and while talking to his pupils he unconsciously touches them. The "josser`s" lesson proves ambivalent, meaning sometimes he illuminates the boys at their formative age, and sometimes he does not. Third, both men are full of self-doubt. They cannot come to grips with who they are, feeling endlessly torn between "id" and "superego." Their self is unstable, they cannot know self-respect. Fourth, they have suffered for their sexuality. Biddlebaum had been discharged from his teaching, driven from the rural community, and currently leads a lonely life. The "josser" lives in the field, and comes and goes endlessly like a trapped animal. Considering all this, we come to feel compassion for the men. Personally, their case studies are tragic, but they make rich, compelling literature.