In Peter S. Beagle's "We Never Talk about My Brother," the protagonist grapples with haunting feelings of despair as the narrative delves into inner struggles with identity and self. The mention of "hungry shadows" symbolizes the consuming thoughts and fears that threaten to overwhelm one's essence, accentuating the battle against darker impulses that crave entry into one's spirit.

This vivid imagery conveys a deep sense of vulnerability. The idea of being reduced to "nothing but skin" suggests a loss of self, evoking the fear of becoming just an empty vessel, akin to the very shadows that lurk within. The quote encapsulates the tension between the desire for connection and the dread of losing oneself amid those connections.