Social contraints kill people (sometimes literally)

Social delicacies and morals constrain us so much. It's almost ridiculous. For example one of my best friends likes my younger brother but she won't act upon it because she is one grade older and she's afraid to see how her friends will react. I personally don't mind but I guess other people would probably look at her differently. I used to feel really restrained like that too, well, I still do but I've managed to get past the worst of it. Has anyone ever read "Ethan Frome?" It's such a sad story of love. Ethan loves Mattie but is unable to act upon his love for her because he is married and feels guilty that he wants to leave his wife Zeena. So him and Mattie try to commit suicide to stay together. It doesn't work out though. It's one of Edith Wharton's best novels, you should read it sometime.