Pride & Shame

These two emotions couldn't feel more different, yet pride and shame are linked by how we see ourselves—and how we want others to see us. This collection explores texts that navigate the emotional terrain of pride and shame.

Publication year 1827

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Romance, Italian Literature, History: World

The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi), published in 1827 and revised in 1842, is a historical novel by Italian author Alessandro Manzoni. The novel follows two young lovers, Renzo and Lucia, in 1600s Lombardy; their courtship is derailed by a jealous plot to prevent their marriage, ultimately leading them to the plague-stricken city of Milan, where they face many struggles. The Betrothed is heralded as one of the most important and widely read Italian novels. This... Read The Betrothed Summary


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Literature

Tags Romance, Sports, Relationships


Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Masculinity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Children's Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Urban Development, Drama / Tragedy


Publication year 2024

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Flora/plants, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction


Publication year 1985

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Society: Immigration, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Gender

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Fantasy


Publication year 2007

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Disability, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Tags Psychology, Mental Illness, Health / Medicine, Psychology, Biography


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Midlife, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, Mystery / Crime Fiction


Publication year 2003

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Disability, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags History: World, Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: European, Politics / Government


Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure

The Compound is a 2008 young adult novel by S.A. Bodeen. Much of the story is set in what appears to be a post-apocalyptic setting: a compound built by the narrator’s father, which houses the main characters after a nuclear attack destroys much of humanity. However, the characters begin to suspect that the world outside the Compound may exist, and that their father has been lying to them. Bodeen examines themes of family, shame, survival... Read The Compound Summary


Publication year 1912

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Lyric Poem, Satire, Science / Nature, Technology, Class, Edwardian Era


Publication year 1904

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Classic Fiction, Humor, American Literature, Education, Education, Historical Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Music, Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Tags Magical Realism, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Race / Racism, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness, Fantasy


Publication year 1987

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Tags Action / Adventure, Immigration / Refugee, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Children's Literature, Poverty, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Gary Paulsen’s The Crossing is a young adult novel published in 1987. This realistic work of fiction highlights the hope and opportunity Manny, a Mexican teenager, envisions waiting for him in America, and the desperation that propels him to attempt the border crossing from Mexico into the United States.Paulsen (1939-2021) was a celebrated author of middle grade and young adult fiction, best known for writing the award-winning Hatchet series. His work often depicts wilderness settings... Read The Crossing Summary


Publication year 1979

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Religion / Spirituality, Relationships, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy

The Dead Zone (1979) is a science fiction thriller novel by Stephen King. King’s story about a man who sees visions of the future after awakening from a years-long coma explores themes of missed opportunity, belief, and the sacrifices inherent in moral action. The novel was nominated for numerous awards, including the 1980 Locus Award, and has been adapted for film (1983) and television (2002-07). Please be advised that The Dead Zone includes mention of... Read The Dead Zone Summary


Publication year 1846

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Mental Health, Society: Class, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Classic Fiction, Russian Literature, Psychology, History: World, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Marriage

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Gender / Feminism, History: World, Regency Era


Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Race, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: Immigration, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Education, Education, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1837

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Tags Classic Fiction, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Scandinavian Literature