Continuing commentary: Revitalizing Shame: Some Reflections on `Changing Idioms of Shame: Expressions of Disgrace and Dishonour in the Narratives of Turkish Women Living in Denmark'

Abstract

Throughout many studies, shame is approached not solely as a personal or individual sentiment or emotion, but also as a collective social and cultural preoccupation. Many studies also have asserted that shame is best understood in terms of its assumed opposite, honor, for example, as represented in so-called `honor/shame' complexes of certain regions such as the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Critical responses to these studies have included efforts to represent more balanced, multiple voices and perspectives concerning shame and related sentiments: for example, emphasis of women's viewpoints and more transcultural contexts. Mirdal's article contributes to these efforts. This commentary discusses some challenges of placing shame in wider contexts of broader concerns in cultural theory, moving toward more nuanced, processual and dynamic portrayals of cultural and social practices. Shame needs to be analyzed in terms of both intimate and subjective sentiments, on the one hand, and politics and domination, on the other. More nuanced analysis yields insights into modernity, thereby detaching analysis of shame from some previous tendencies to associate this sentiment solely with tradition and the past. This commentary also argues, however, that there remain semantic and pragmatic problems of intentionality and agency. Fundamental to understanding shame, therefore, is detailed analysis of its nuanced meanings, as well as its effects in different social encounters.