In Salman Rushdie's "Shame," the experience of migration is portrayed as a profound transformation that compels individuals to leave their past behind. Migrants attempt to bring their memories and belongings with them, but on their journeys, these items lose their significance and essence. The act of migration strips them of their previous identities and histories, leading to a sense of disconnection from their origins.

This loss forces migrants into a vulnerable position, where they encounter unfamiliar societies that seem to possess a sense of belonging they lack. Surrounded by what Rushdie describes as "the brocades of continuity," they often feel exposed and marginalized, as if standing naked among those who have deep roots and a clear sense of their own identities. The stark contrast highlights the emotional toll of leaving one’s homeland and the struggle for belonging in a new environment.