In C.S. Lewis's "Till We Have Faces," a character expresses their feelings of shame regarding their humanity. Despite a friend’s reassurance that there’s nothing to be ashamed of, the character reveals a deeper struggle; they feel ashamed simply for being mortal. This reflects the complexity of human emotions, where shame can stem from aspects of ourselves that are beyond our control.
The dialogue highlights a painful truth about the nature of shame. Often, the things we feel most ashamed of are not our choices or our actions but rather qualities inherent to our existence. This notion invites reflection on how societal perceptions can shape personal feelings of inadequacy, making us question our worth for just being who we are.