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Individual vs. society is a theme commonly found in novels all around the world. It is defined as a type of conflict where someone struggles against practices, customs, or ideas of other people. We especially see this theme in the novel, The Lost Legends Of New Jersey. Not only in literature, but also in reality one can experience this conflicting theme. It is extremely likely with most common societies being that everyone is different. In the novel, The Lost Legends Of New Jersey, Frederick Reiken uses the theme individual vs. society using violence, fitting in, irresponsible parents, and decision making.

Violence is an aspect of the novel, The Lost Legends Of New Jersey, the Frederick Reiken uses to portray the theme, individual vs. society. Anything such as a fight or physical bullying can be defined as violence, and both of these actions are shown in the novel to develop theme. Bullying evidently shows individual vs. society when Roland is being assaulted on the baseball field. “On the ball field Tommy Lange was beating up a blue-eyed math whiz named Roland Malnick… Roland was standing on home plate with about fifteen people watching”(Reiken, 95). This shows individual vs. society because Roland is helpless while society just watches as he gets pummeled. Rolan is obviously not strong or physically coordinated, and because he said the wrong thing in the bathroom at the wrong time he ha to pay the price. Scholastic.com has an article on bullying that defines exactly what happens here. “Victims of bullying are often shy and tend to be physically weaker than their peers. They might also have low self-esteem and poor social skills, which makes it harder for them to stand up for

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...e ability to reshape our brains and influence our individuality by simple behavioral choices we make each day”(Huang). This justifies the actions displayed by Anthony and the others in the car, showing how Frederick Reiken uses individual vs. society in The Lost Legends Of New Jersey.

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Ultimately, Reiken is able to develop theme in many different ways in the novel. He does so using violence a couple times. Also, fitting in is found throughout the entire novel, except it wasn't as open and obvious as violence. Irresponsible parents play a big role in the theme as well as the plot. Equally does decision making. Frederick Reiken uses the theme, individual vs. society, in The Lost Legends Of New Jersey using violence, fitting in, irresponsible parents, and decision making. Individual vs. society is common in the world and in The Lost Legends Of New Jersey.