Quote by Pearl S. Buck: “You cannot make yourself feel something you do not feel.”

This statement points to the raw honesty and authenticity of human emotions. It means that you can't force yourself to genuinely experience a feeling that isn't naturally present within you. True emotions arise organically, and trying to fake them is ultimately futile and often leads to inner conflict.

The early 20th century saw evolving understandings of psychology and personal authenticity, though societal pressures often dictated emotional expression. In *Sons*, Buck continued to explore the complex inner lives and emotional landscapes of her characters, often in conflict with external expectations.

American writer and novelist who spent much of her life in China. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her novel "The Good Earth" in 1932 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, becoming the first American woman to win both.