Pride and Shame

The narrator's pride prevents him from asking for help. He can't ask the editor for an advance. He can't tell his friends what dire straits he's truly in. He can't tell the truth of his situation to the police when he stays overnight in the jail as homeless. He constantly lies and makes up stories to try to appear in a better situation than he's in, even to the pawnbroker to whom he sells his last article of any value.

The narrator's pride is intertwined with a feeling of shame. He is ashamed of his own situation and feels that he should be above it. Part of this feeling of shame comes from the narrator's belief in his own ability. He has writing ability. The editor who buys his first article recognizes the narrator's talent. Even the grocer who reads his letter applying for the bookkeeping...