Society

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” However, Jan Austen's words ring most true in the confined universe in which she lived, one that she recreates for her characters in Pride and Prejudice.

Unfortunately, the majority of her society does not think in the same way. This is immediately recognizable upon meeting Elizabeth's mother, the loud and loquacious Mrs. Bennet, who is used by Jane Austen as a caricature of the many dim-witted and gaudy people that she finds so vulgar in her society.

However, Austen uses another stock character to illustrate the ridiculousness of such an attitude. Mr. Collins, a cousin of Mr. Bennet's, arrives with the purpose of seeing their home, which he will acquire through the policy of entailment. Furthermore, being a “mixture of obsequiousness [and] self-importance”, Mr. Collins even seeks to marry Elizabeth in order to add to his own happiness and “make amends for inheriting her father's estate (Austen 85-110).”

But the wealthy and high-class Mr. Darcy fears these emotions because they are towards a poor, country girl like Elizabeth. Jane Austen separates her characters in terms of their status, since the same would have occurred in her society. There, great importance is given to where a person stands on the social ladder, which depends on his wealth, family connections and breeding. Haughty and introverted, Mr. Darcy believes that “pride will always be a good regulation,” making him unpleasant and disagreeable to people wherever he goes. He “continually gives offence” through the unattractive pride he has in his status, by never mixing with those he considers low class, and consequently, by resisting his admiration for Elizabeth.

Jane Austen emphasizes the benefits of such a demeanor through Darcy's continuing love for Elizabeth as a result of her actions. So captivated is Darcy by Elizabeth's beauty and disposition that he brings himself to propose to her.

Elizabeth's refusal is strongly influenced by her loyalty towards her sister, Jane, whose relationship with Mr. Bingley was damaged by Mr. Darcy. This subplot is used by Austen to convey the harshness of her society. Mr. Bingley, a wealthy upper-class man is able to leave at any moment, while poor Jane must simply deal with being alone. But by challenging them, they have reached what is truly important in their society — marriage. A marriage formed by true love, which is universally acknowledged.

Regarding substance abuse, the CCHS found that 31% of males and females aged 12 to 17, claimed to have tried marijuana in 2000-2001; 13% had tried other illicit drugs (such as, cocaine or crack) (CIHI, 425). In the U.S.A., illegal drug use among adolescents more than doubled from 5.3% to 11.4% from 1992 to 1997 (Oman & al., p.1425). A 2005 study conducted in Thunder Bay by the Superior Points Harm Reduction Program (SPHRP) found that of the street-involved or at-risk youth surveyed, aged 24 and under, over 98% of them had used drugs over the previous ...