Therefore, in examining the gay experience we are brought face to face with shame because the two experiences have been fused across cultures and centuries. In this context Wei-Tung's response of hiding and lying is natural. Historical and cultural shame about homosexuality runs deep. Against this backdrop, it is easy to understand Wei-Tung's fear of discovery by his family and heterosexual friends. He feared ridicule and shame, but also feared that he would bring shame on his parents.
Shame is most likely central to the development of identity for all people, gay and non-gay alike.
When we feel shame, we feel deeply disconnected and we long to embrace ourselves once more. For the first time, he openly embraces all facets of his being. Having faced his greatest fear he is freer to redirect his energies to cope with his other identity conflict. Although he can hide his sexual orientation, he cannot hide his ethnic identity as an Asian man in a Caucasian world. Wei-Tung's mode of adaptation is that of a conformist, quickly embracing America's commonly prescribed values of competition, success, achievement, and perfection.