Unfairness of Life

Lil J spends a great deal of this novel blaming everyone but himself for his troubles. Lil J blames society for causing him to fail out of school and for using drugs. Lil J blames the anger that unfairness in life causes him, the fear that often overwhelms him, and his decisions based on both this anger and fear.

Lil J tells Kelly that he had been angry that he was failing school because he knew it would mean that he would become one of those men who sits on the street corner and watches life pass them by. For this reason, Lil J decides to redefine himself by going to Texas, but ends up getting arrested for attempted arm robbery. Lil J then blames this arrest on his inability to get a job.

Life is unfair at times. It is unfair that Lil J's father...