Society's expectations can be burdensome from "summary" of The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
In the village of Anhwei, the weight of society's expectations presses down upon the shoulders of its inhabitants like the oppressive heat of the summer sun. Wang Lung, a simple farmer, feels the burden keenly as he struggles to meet the demands placed upon him by tradition and custom. His days are consumed by toil in the fields, his nights by the cares of providing for his family. There is no room for individual desires or dreams in this world where duty reigns supreme. Wang Lung's marriage to O-Lan is not a union of love, but one of necessity. She is chosen for him by his father, a woman who can work the fields and bear him sons. O-Lan, too, is weighed down by the expectations placed upon her as a wife and mother. She labors tirelessly to keep the household running smoothly, sacrificing her own needs and desires for the sake of her family. As Wang Lung's fortunes change and he rises from humble farmer to wealthy landowner, the expectations placed upon him only grow heavier. His wealth attracts attention and envy from those around him, who expect him to be generous with his riches. Wang Lung finds himself torn between his desire to hold onto his wealth and the pressure to be a benefactor to those less fortunate. Even his own children are not exempt from the burden of society's expectations. His sons are expected to carry on the family name and honor, while his daughters must be married off to suitable suitors. The weight of tradition hangs heavy over them, dictating their every move and decision.- Wang Lung finds himself trapped by the expectations of society, unable to break free from the cycle of duty and obligation that has defined his life. The earth itself becomes a symbol of this burden, as he toils endlessly to extract its riches, only to find himself ultimately unfulfilled. In the end, he realizes that the expectations of society have cost him dearly, leaving him with a hollow sense of achievement and a longing for something more.
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