Definition essay shame

However, shame is a double edged sword and possesses the ability to have an adverse or traumatic effect on one’s emotional well being. The essay “Shame” by Dick Gregory presents a satirical commentary of the role that shame plays in shaping the lives of the people.

Shame is a fundamental human emotion that is similar to feelings of guilt and disgrace. While humanity has felt shame and discussed it at least as far back as 2,000 years ago with the Roman philosopher Seneca’s writings on the topic, it has historically not been studied in an academic setting (Van Vliet, 2008).

Shame is defined as an intense and debilitating feeling of embarrassment and it can play a vital role in the development of the human conscience. The feeling can be associated with honor and pride, thereby being an important component in shaping of a person’s identity.

The excerpt entitled "Shame" by Dick Gregory paints an accurate picture of the life of a typical black child, and how his family struggled just to survive. Gregory recalls a time in his life when he was in elementary school and the first time he felt "shame" in his life.