The Fear of Alienation in Pride and Prejudice

Abstract

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice reflects the attitude of the nineteenth century
society yet its implications are obvious to the present times as well. The desires,
hopes, fears, and social psyche of a society are reflected in the socially acceptable
or unacceptable principles and practices of a society, and the way the members of
the society perceive these principles and practices. The confusion between the
socially acceptable and individually desirable exists in all societies. Sometimes it
comes into conflict with each other in the form of social issues that can be
peacefully resolved only through tolerance and understanding. For this, one has to
evaluate oneself and learn about the deeper realities of life by interacting with
others and developing a sympathetic understanding of how the others approach
life. Class differences have to be resolved, suffering of the others has to be shared
and one must step down from their high pedestal so as to understand the others
around them.