Exploring Pride and Shame

In ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, there have been many quotes that lead us, as the reader, to question the definition of pride and shame. I do not mean this as if they are wrong but as if what does it really mean. In my opinion I would define pride as the feeling one can get after they know they accomplished something personally and and that i makes them feel they did something right. Shame would be they feeling someone would get after they avoid an action that they could have done that could benefit others in a good way. you would just stand there with people pointing at you saying ‘why didn’t you do anything?’ or you would be saying it to yourself and you are left with the emotion of guilt.

In order to gain that feeling or pride you must first build the courage to speak up or act. You will not be able to accomplish anything unless you can have the courage, be able to tell yourself you can do this, to do what you want or think you should do.  In ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’,  Atticus says ‘I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what’. Atticus was stating what it means to have courage by saying you do not have to point a gun at someone but merely finish whatever your trying to do even though you know it will not be easy. Knowing that you build the courage to complete any task no matter the difficulty, you will gain the feeling of accomplishment which in turn would lead to self pride.

On the other hand, just standing there feeling like that you missed an opportunity to do something that benefits you and others can lead to self shaming. If you know you did something wrong and there are people around to witness it, they themselves will point out the shame that has fell upon you. In time like when ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ is set, and even now, pride and shame are a big part in our lives. It helps define who we are, are we the kind people that gets up and does something or just stands there as the world passes by? People will notice what kind if people we are: pride or shame, accomplishment or guilt, honour or self pity.