In Joyce Carol Oates' collection "DIS MEM BER and Other Stories of Mystery and Suspense," a haunting moment is captured when the narrator describes a fleeting encounter with their own reflection in a mirror. This moment reveals a sense of discomfort and disconnection, as the narrator quickly turns away from the image of their "flushed blurred face," indicating a deep-seated aversion to self-perception.

This reaction highlights the complexities of self-identity and the struggle with personal feelings of inadequacy. The act of looking away suggests a desire to escape from confronting one's true self, which resonates throughout the narrative, reflecting broader themes of mystery and introspection that Oates masterfully explores in her stories.