In Margaret Atwood's "Alias Grace," the author explores the human tendency to fear the unknown, particularly regarding death. This sentiment stems from the discomfort of leaving behind the familiar, even if it is not desirable. Many individuals find solace in the known, which creates anxiety when faced with the prospect of death and the uncertainties that accompany it.

This fear is reflective of a broader human experience where the transition from what we know to what we do not can provoke apprehension. Atwood highlights that this trepidation may contribute to people's reluctance to confront mortality, as the unknown afterlife remains one of life's greatest mysteries.