Monday Musings: A Lingering Touch: Revisiting Pride and Prejudice

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By Amitabh Srivastava, Copy Edited By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO: The most famous of Jane Austen’s novels, , is perhaps a book that most children who attended convent schools in India have encountered at some point. Written over two centuries ago, the novel has consistently appeared in school syllabi—either in abridged versions among a collection of short stories, or as part of full-length literature courses in colleges.

Almost fifty years after first reading this classic in college, I still find myself pondering why it was ever included in our curriculum at all.

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All of Jane Austen’s novels revolve around a certain genteel class of English society, where the central occupation of women seems to be husband-hunting and of men, to look suitably aristocratic while being hunted. These tales, though charming, always felt oddly disconnected from the Indian socio-cultural and economic context—particularly in the poverty-stricken 1960s.

And yet, much like Indian cinema of the same era, perhaps the intention behind teaching Austen was to create a temporary escape. Just as film offered the illusion of romance, wealth, and resolution, Austen’s fictional world gave students a brief respite from their harsher realities—an aspirational fantasy wrapped in lace and civility.

Fast forward to 2025, and Austen is still making waves.

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Everyone is now talking about the re-release of the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy. Hitting theaters again on April 20th, the film marks its 20th anniversary with a wave of nostalgia and celebration.

Since its release, one moment in the film has captivated audiences in a way no one could have predicted: Mr. Darcy’s hand flex. It’s a brief scene—barely a few seconds long—but it has left an indelible mark on cinematic history.

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Elizabeth is stepping into a carriage. Darcy, with his usual reserve, offers a hand to assist her—a simple, polite gesture. But as soon as their hands part, he turns and walks away, subtly twitching his fingers, flexing his hand. It’s an involuntary motion, one loaded with tension and unsaid longing. Elizabeth notices it. The audience notices it. And it has since become one of the most memorable gestures in romantic cinema.

To me, that small motion is not merely a twitch—it’s a lingering touch. It’s the involuntary reaction of a man who didn’t want to let go. Critics have interpreted it as a moment of aching desire, a physical manifestation of Darcy’s inner turmoil. It is all of that—and more.

Interestingly, that now-iconic moment was never in the script. Director Joe Wright has since revealed that it was Matthew Macfadyen’s spontaneous addition, made on a difficult shooting day. What began as an unplanned gesture has now become emblematic of subtle, emotionally charged storytelling.

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Such is the staying power of Austen’s tale—that it continues to be interpreted, performed, and reimagined with fresh eyes.

In fact, the obsession with Pride and Prejudice is set to continue, with Netflix announcing a new six-part limited series adaptation. Production is expected to begin in the UK later this year, with a stellar cast: Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy, and the brilliant Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet.

Whether in print or on screen, Jane Austen’s world still finds ways to resonate across time, culture, and geography. Perhaps the dream sold to us all those years ago wasn’t so out of place after all. Maybe it wasn’t just about corsets, cravats, and country dances—but about longing, choices, and the quiet revolutions of the heart.

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Curated and Compiled by Humra Kidwai

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