Of Life and Happiness: Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Abstract

It is a fact universally acknowledged that humankind struggles to live an honourable and happy life. However, the concept of happiness and honour varies from person to person; community to community; and generation to generation. These phenomena of “true” happiness are as much social as psychological. The Collins, Mary, Mr. Weston and the like are “happy” in their lives and with themselves as much as Elizabeth, Darcy and their kind are happy with themselves and their lives. The perception of true happiness among characters in Pride & Prejudice is divergent. Some of Austen’s characters learn from life as they experience ups and downs in lives due to the choices they make. Others continue to perpetuate the misery that has become their lot due to the compromises they make. The likes of Elizabeth and Darcy face numerous problems in the beginning in finding their soulemates. Once they find one, the remaining part of their lives become productive, peaceful, and prosperous. They go through the mill of power, social, and sexual politics of their society but emerge successful since they and choose wisely. The others, like the Collins and the Charlottes, choose their partners on the prevailing standards of their society; thus, the duality in their beliefs and deeds undo them. They opt for short-cuts in making choices, and end up having lives full of challenges, boredom, and indifference to the wellbeing of each other. Such lives have their prices and consequences.