Loser

Describe the theme shame and include a quote for that theme?

IN Loser

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Shame is one of the major themes in Loser. With every misstep and humiliating incident, Zinkoff encounters instances in which most people would feel ashamed of themselves. However, Zinkoff is rarely ashamed, often laughing along with the people who laugh at him as though the joke had not been at his expense. Even people who are supportive and encouraging, such as his parents, attempt to shame Zinkoff. When Zinkoff vomits in his father's mailbag, merely trying to contain the vomit as his mother instructed him to, Zinkoff's father cannot help but get angry with his son. Similarly, Miss Meeks, who has difficulty understanding Zinkoff's unique personality, tries to make him feel ashamed for laughing too often and disrupting class. However, the "I know I can behave" button she pins to his shirt has an inverse effect, leading Zinkoff to feel pride, not shame. Zinkoff remains impervious to shame until Field Day, when the other students call him "Loser" for losing the one-leg race. The shame stays with Zinkoff until the following year's Field Day, which he skips to avoid ruining things for his teammates. Zinkoff only shakes off his shame after he goes missing while searching for Claudia. The encouragement and warmth he receives from friends and family upon his safe return restore his sense of self-worth and Zinkoff is impervious to the shame Bonce and the other boys try to instill in him while picking teams at school.