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Representation of Various Faces of Shame in "Shame" by Dick Gregory

How public shame can affect a person physically and mentally, the rise of public shame in the internet age, the shameful history of australia’s colonial past, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Guilt and Shame in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations

Truth coming out of her well to shame mankind: questioning the truth, cognitive behavioral therapy: a study of its application and effectiveness, suicide as an honorable choice in viking sagas, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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"On The Rainy River" by Tim O’brien Analysis

Ideologies of honour and shame in ancient greek culture, why shame won't stop obesity in america, public shame: different, but effective punishment, understanding shame: dick gregory's powerful commentary, relevant topics.

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“Shame” By Dick Gregory: What Does Gregory Mean by Shame?

Shame by dick gregory: introduction, shame (dick gregory) summary, shame by gregory: themes.

What does Gregory mean by shame in his eponymous essay? Find the answer here! Read our summary and analysis of themes in Shame by Dick Gregory.

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.

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. He illustrates through his childhood experiences what shame causes as a result of poverty and social differences. Gregory provides a glimpse of the misery by depicting his poignant experiences as a child in a community riddled with poverty, inequality and discrimination.

Dick Gregory begins the essay on an ironic note while depicting his first feeling of shame. Richard, the narrator, encountered the first feelings of shame and hatred at school. As a child, Richard is subjected to the defective nature of the educational institution.

The vice of hatred is introduced to the innocent child’s life not by his experiences in the outside world but rather by the experiences that happen at school. He asserts, “I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that” (583). Dick Gregory highlights a school system where children learn how to hate and are subjected to shame and humiliation which is detrimental to their growth and well being.

As a child, Richard’s view of the world is both innocent and frank and is not colored by aspects of social injustices prevalent at the time. When talking about his only pair of clothes, Richard declares, “I’d put them on, wet or dry, because they were the only clothes I had” (583).

He acknowledges these facts without delving into the evils of a society that allows a child to face such misery. Despite the daunting circumstances, Richard still remains ambitious and determined that his hard efforts will pay off. He makes great efforts to impress his beloved classmate, Helene Tucker, even though his social and economic level makes this especially hard.

Richard plans to shine in front of Helene when he has prepared three dollars in dimes and quarters to top her pledge as to buy his legitimacy and a “passport” for acceptance. Richard is ready to go to great ends to achieve his goals, but his hope is extinguished when the teacher disgraces him in class by pointing out his poverty and his lack of a father. She makes the boy lose hope of ever making an impression on Helene which causes him to feel a great shame for the first time.

The theme of social inequality is addressed in “Shame”. Even the eleven year old Richard is aware of this, as is evident in his relationship with Helene. He states, “if I knew my place and didn’t come too close, she’d wink at me and say hello”(583). He has hopes of building a future relationship with her and demonstrates his love and desire to protect her in different ways. Richard envisions the future with Helen and tries to impress her mother and aunts by shoveling snow off her path.

Richard contends, “sometimes I’d follow her all the way home, and shovel the snow off her walk and try to make friends with her Momma and her aunts” (585). On the other hand, one may interpret this as a metaphor for the way in which the people in the lower caste of the society are obligated to serve those of a higher status. Richard expresses his need to protect Helene and his desire to be her knight by dropping money on her porch.

Despite the fact that Helene is the one who is higher up on the social ladder and therefore has more money than Richard, who works hard for the little money he obtains, he secretly “[drops] money on her stoop late at night” (585). This is Gregory’s metaphor for the manner in which the poorer members for the society ironically end up giving their hard earned money to the richer ones despite the fact that they are the ones who are more in need of it.

In the class context, Richard is designated as a troublemaker. Gregory’s description of Richard’s seat as “the idiot’s seat”(585) highlights the fact that the teacher is not interested in trying to determine Richard’s problems but rather appears content with labeling him “an idiot” and “a troublemaker” (585) therefore absolving herself of the need to offer him any help.

Richard states that all he needs is a little attention and all the mischief he involves himself in is to get that attention. However, instead of being given attention, he is discriminated against and disgraced by being isolated in the “idiot’s” seat, where he encounters intraracial discrimination present in the classroom.

Gregory also addresses the themes of poverty and discrimination in “Shame”. Even though Richard is relatively ignorant of the vast social distance that exists between him and others in the society before the incident at school, he is aware of the poverty gap that exists. The fact that he has to do odd jobs such as shinning shoes in the tavern for money accentuates the fact that he lives in dire poverty. His family relies on welfare and wears old clothes handed down by the white people who are relatively rich.

He wishes that “the white folks’ shirt fit [him] better” (583). Describing his lack of concentration in school, Richard says that “[he] was pregnant with hunger” (584). Gregory presents a metaphorical meaning of being pregnant, but in Richard’s case his bulge his apparent because of emptiness and air in his stomach. This image alludes to the fact that he is burdened by hunger as a result of the poverty that is experienced by his family.

It is this poverty that causes the ultimate shame that Richard is subjected to. Due to his poverty, Richard has to rely on aid which is from charities and the government. The teacher forcefully brings this fact to the attention of the class when she reminds Richard that “if your daddy can give fifteen dollars you have no business being on relief” (583).

Her attack greatly shames Richard in front of his classmates, and from that point onwards, he becomes acutely aware of the differences between “his kind” and the rich people. Issues which remained inconsequential to that point, such as wearing the coat given by the welfare or going to the Worthy Boys Annual Christmas Dinner, suddenly began viewed by Richard as extremely shameful.

The theme of change is addressed by Dick Gregory when he illustrates an encounter between Richard and an old “wino” in a restaurant. The old wino is unable to pay for his meal which prompts the owner of the store to beat him badly. Richard intervenes only after the damage has already been done.

The old man refuses Richard’s help stating “you don’t have to pay for it now. I just finished paying for it” (586). Richard is greatly affected as he is reminded of the fact that he could have assisted the man earlier on when his help would have made a bigger difference.

This incident represents a society where aid is only offered when the suffering of the people has already taken place, thereby diminishing the benefit of the aid. This episode is similar to the episode of shame and humiliation Richard experiences in the class, however, Richard’s decision to help wino can be interpreted as a subconscious decision to feel important and in control over the situation. Again, he experiences shame, but this time due to his own conscience.

“Shame” describes painful experiences in the childhood of Dick Gregory which results in him having a crippling sense of shame. Gregory addresses the themes of racial divisions, poverty and social inequality. The effective progression of the essay develops from the event that shamed Richard in class to an encounter with an old wino that changes his future outlook on life.

The irony of first sentence connects with the irony of the last sentence when Gregory declares, “I was pretty sick about that. I waited too long to help another man” (586). Through structure and metaphor, “Shame” expresses the injustices that were prevalent in the society and highlights how these events can scar every member of the society, the children in particular.

Presenting this enduring emotion in a variety of contexts, Gregory successfully conveys his message concerning social and individual inhumanity. The essay portrays the damage that poverty and discrimination inflicts on Richard’s life. It is poverty that causes shame to Richard and further on results in the old wino paying the price of blood for a measly meal.

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IvyPanda. (2019, February 7). “Shame” By Dick Gregory: What Does Gregory Mean by Shame? https://ivypanda.com/essays/shame-by-dick-gregory/

"“Shame” By Dick Gregory: What Does Gregory Mean by Shame?" IvyPanda , 7 Feb. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/shame-by-dick-gregory/.

IvyPanda . (2019) '“Shame” By Dick Gregory: What Does Gregory Mean by Shame'. 7 February.

IvyPanda . 2019. "“Shame” By Dick Gregory: What Does Gregory Mean by Shame?" February 7, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shame-by-dick-gregory/.

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Shame Essays (Examples)

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Public Shame Best Remedy Or Not

Public Shame is the Best Remedy… or Is It? One of the founding principles of the nation is the freedom of speech, which is a … military men and women have made numerous sacrifices domestically and abroad (The Virginian-Pilot, 2010). Freedom of speech has granted an avenue for public shame , which remains a controversial issue depending on the matter at hand. Public shame is utilized as a means to regulate behavior in various areas. For example, public shame is used as a tool to discourage teen pregnancy as it is viewed as a powerful tool in regulating human behavior. The attempt … pregnancy generates positive behaviors by linking it to negative social norms, which in turn encourage positive behaviors among teenagers (Reeves, 2013). While public shame can generate desired outcomes in certain cases such as reduction of the rate of teenage pregnancy, it can also be damaging based on ……… [Read More]

Sexual Addiction And Treatment

… be accountable or to hold himself accountable to someone may also help: he could hold himself accountable to someone he trusts. Accountability and shame are typically linked, so the shame that he would feel about using pornography at work might serve as a negative motivator to be more resilient to the triggering impulses. …… [Read More]

Young, K., Pistner, M.,O’Mara, J., & Buchanan, J. (2009). Cyber disorders: the mental health concern for the new millennium. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 2(5), 475-479.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

... Shame Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) is a term that refers to anxiety disorders that are characterized by uncontrollable obsessions and compulsions. The condition is a chronic, long-lasting disorder in which the individual has recurring thoughts and behaviors. The obsessive and compulsive symptoms can affect all aspects of a person’s life including personal relationships, school and work. There are various kinds of obsessive-compulsive disorders with different signs and symptoms as well as treatment approaches. This paper discusses treatment recommendations for an adult patient suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder. The discussion includes analysis of medical management, community resources and follow-up plans for the patient’s condition. HPI and Clinical Impression for the Client Jane is a 38-year old individual diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, which is an obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by recurring thoughts regarding perceived flaws or defects in appearance (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). Jane developed this condition following a history of body shaming by…… [Read More]

Political Correctness In Modern Politics An Assessment Of The Trump

... Shame Introduction When Donald Trump launched campaigns for the highest seat in the land, most people – including most political analysts – did not believe he stood a chance. Here was a billionaire known for his brash language and liking for controversy. His role as a reality TV show host made him especially unqualified for politics. Due to the constant need to balance the interests of various stakeholders and ensure that no constituency feels aggrieved, politicians are largely expected to thrive on political correctness. On the other hand, TV show business thrives on controversy and suspense. As a reality TV show host, trump was all business and his direct and no-holds-bared approach endeared him to millions of viewers from across the world. He was uniquely qualified for showbiz, and not politics. In simple terms, here was an individual whose public life revolved around models, buildings, and whose language was for the…… [Read More]

One Nation Under God Documentary

… all of these challenges, the world even today has several deep-rooted traditional beliefs and fundamental viewpoints against the homosexuals as being sinful and shameful, causing a homophobic mindset which has given birth to violence against homosexuals for several years due to their identity (Dworkin, 2002). Not just …… [Read More]

People Who Do Not Socially Distance Are Considered Deviant In The

Deviance Currently, not social distancing is considered deviant. People will take pictures of others and put them on social media to shame them and they will call them names like “Covidiot” because they are not following the social distancing guidelines that the US government has …… [Read More]

Lumen. (2019). Theoretical perspectives on deviance. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/theoretical-perspectives-on-deviance/ " target="_blank" REL="NOFOLLOW">

Why Ageism Needs To Be Stopped In Society

… Thus, the first stage is the Trust vs. Mistrust stage and occurs between the ages of 0 and 2. Second is Autonomy vs. Shame occurring between ages 2-3. Third is Initiative vs. Guilt for children from 3-5. Fourth is Industry vs. Inferiority for children 5-12 and fifth …… [Read More]

Lumen. (2019). Theoretical perspectives on deviance. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/theoretical-perspectives-on-deviance/ " target="_blank" REL="NOFOLLOW">

The Rite Of The Sacraments Of Healing And Of The Sick

... Shame Oral Exam: Sacrament of Healing 1 The biblical basis for the sacrament of penance is: “Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained (John 20:22-23). The theological basis for the sacrament of penance is that it is a means of regaining grace and justice for those who had defiled their souls through mortal sin. Prior to the coming of Christ the Lord, penance was not a sacrament, nor is it a sacrament for the unbaptized. However, after rising from the dead, Christ breathed on the Apostles and sent them the Holy Ghost and gave them the power to forgive sins in the name of Jesus with the direct purpose of reconciling those among the faithful who had fallen into a state of sin since their Baptism. Such has been the teaching of the Church since…… [Read More]

… degree of conflict within the person (Van Kampen, 2019. p. 7). The discomfort associated with cognitive dissonance is usually in form of anxiety, shame or guilt (Legg, 2019). Since a person can only tolerate an inconvenient cognitive state for a period, the conflicted person attempts to reduce …… [Read More]

Van Kampen, H. S. (2019). The principle of consistency and the cause and function of behaviour. Behavioural processes, 159, 42-54. Retrieved from: https://scihub.tw/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2018.12.013

Cyberbullying

... Shame Cyberbullying Essay Outline I. Introduction A. Bullying involves an imbalance of power between the victim and the bully. B. Bullying is more than just isolated incidents of negative behavior; it requires repetitive behavior. C. Cyberbullying occurs electronically, via the internet, cell phones, and social media. II. Imbalance of power A. Bullies have some type of power over victims. B. There are different ways that bullies can exert power over victims. 1. Social power 2. Financial power 3. Sexual power 4. Group power C. Bullying cannot be mutual, but bullies and victims can switch roles over time. III. Bullying is repetitive. A. Not all mean actions are bullying. B. To qualify as bullying, behaviors have to be repetitive. C. Not all acts of bullying have to be committed by one bully to be considered part of a repetitive pattern of bullying. IV. Cyberbullying occurs electronically. A. Cyberbullying can occur several ways:…… [Read More]

Oakes, Kelly. (15 September 2019). Why Children Become Bullies at School. BBC.com. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190913-why-some-children-become-merciless-bullies . Accessed 16 July 2020.

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Essays on Shame

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Essay Samples on Shame

One of the most embarrassing moments of my life.

I walked up to the stage in staggered steps like a zombie rising from the grave. My foot hit the stage, triggering a chain of claps from the crowd which radiated off the walls in the auditorium. There it was, the grand piano in all...

Personal Experience

Crucible: Human Obsession with Reputation

Human’s are everchanging and constantly evolving people, but some things remain true even today and were also true 300 years ago. Reputation has always been something people have held very dear, even if it means discarding things or people close to them. The dignity showed...

The Crucible

How Effective Restorative Justice Actually Is

Accountability is owning up to our own mistakes. Acknowledging our wrongs, rather they are self-harm or harm to others, has a huge effect on the healing process. A simple apology goes a long way. This is something that we have learned since childhood, yet adults...

Restorative Justice

The Doctor Shaming on the Social Media Platforms

Doctor shaming is the act of humiliating someone in medical profession specifically the physicians. The shame evidently comes from initiating negative feedbacks towards the doctors. It can be done face to face interaction, and even through text based. Nowadays, hence, technology is very advanced, people...

Public Shaming

The Feeling of Being Ashamed and Being Shameless: The Nature of Being Human

Shamelessness and nakedness without shame may mean the same thing if you only look through the word itself. However they are very different as you dig dipper to its meaning. A person named Christopher West discusses this topic with a student who is majoring in...

Human Nature
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The Culmination of Public Shame and Its Effects on the Person

In 'The Price of Shame' the Lewinsky States 'In 1998, I lost my reputation and my dignity. I lost almost everything. And I almost lost my life.' (6:01). Now speaking from the present generation of children that will be the head of this world, one...

Body Guilt and Shame as Predictors of Isolation and Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is the dread of social circumstances that include association with others. The uneasiness and nervousness of being contrarily judged and assessed by others is called social anxiety. The physical symptoms of social anxiety include Muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, Stomach trouble and inability to...

Social Isolation

Slut Shaming as a Form of Public Shaming

In modern society, slut shaming has skyrocketed more and more, commonly through rumors, and it continues to be an issue. Slut shaming is the act of criticizing a woman for her presumed sexual activity or, in other words, for behaving in ways that someone thinks...

Modern Society

Best topics on Shame

1. One Of The Most Embarrassing Moments Of My Life

2. Crucible: Human Obsession with Reputation

3. How Effective Restorative Justice Actually Is

4. The Doctor Shaming on the Social Media Platforms

5. The Feeling of Being Ashamed and Being Shameless: The Nature of Being Human

6. The Culmination of Public Shame and Its Effects on the Person

7. Body Guilt and Shame as Predictors of Isolation and Social Anxiety

8. Slut Shaming as a Form of Public Shaming

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Shame Essay Examples

Shame is worth a try' and 'condemn the crime not the person' summary.

Suppose a person is driving under the influence of alcohol, what do you suppose the punishment should be? Should we shame them? Or make them feel guilty? According to the essay, 'Shame Is Worth a Try,' putting a 'DUI' sticker on the car is a...

Feeling Vulnerable is an Opportunity to Overcome Shame

Why We Feel Shame Shame is triggered by our perception of what other people think of us, we're social beings and need love, connection, and a sense of belonging to function well, indeed going back into our history it was the only way for us...

The Theme of Embarrassment in the Things They Carried by Tim O’brien

“All external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure- these things just fall away in the face of death.” This quote by Steve Jobs parallels the ideas depicted by Tim O'Brien about embarrassment in his novel. Not only do most literary characters struggle...

The Most Embarrassing Moment of My Life

The day which I was waiting with eagerness emerged – the day when I had finally received my first pay. It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon, in my beautiful home country Nepal. The sun was bright and its light made all the flowers particularly...

Memory, Shame, Communication, and the Gray Zone in Primo Levi’s the Droened and the Saved

The book The Droened and the saved was written by holocaust survive Primo Levi in 1986. Levi was sent to Auschwits concentration camp in Germany. Levi is in his mid twenties. His book is made from eight essays dealing with memory, the gray zone, shame,...

From Shame to Understanding: Openness

One of my co-bloggers wrote a super nice post about openness, which I want to do some advertising for, and discuss a little about ... The thing has been up here earlier, and will come up again. The more we talk about it - the...

Culture of Online Shaming Out of Control

December 10th, 2008 was the day Jon Ronson joined twitter. Ever since then he wrote forty four thousand tweets, nearly twenty a day. Obviously a twitter user is going to experience and see some things that will surprise you. The new book by Ronson, “So...

Reasons for Shame and Shamelessness

Shock Advertising: Manipulation of Fear, Shame and Guilt

Day by day, organisations or institutions are trying to grab our attention through Shockvertising. Also, it is observed and proven through research, people quickly and easily respond to Shockvertising, a kind of emotional appeal and pro-social advertising which is used in the commercial market. What...

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