Although society often stresses the importance of rugged individualism, Pay It Forward stresses the importance of human similarity in the face of apparent differences. One of the ways the book demonstrates the commonality of humankind is through the problems that arise out of individualism. In Reuben’s case, he routinely sees how different he is in comparison to other characters: he is one of the few, if not the only, black characters living in Atascadero, and he is badly disfigured. In order to counteract what he assumes are people’s negative reactions to his differences in appearance, Reuben isolates himself. This isolation demonstrates the emotional toil that can arise as a result of eschewing connection and community.

However, it is only when Reuben recognizes himself in other characters that he begins to change from a selfish curmudgeon into a productive member of society:“He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen himself in someone else. It changed him, this simple observation, like being jostled off the edge of a tall building, causing him to wonder if it was too late to get his old isolation back” (89). At first, this realization terrifies Reuben; he finds isolation, although it is emotionally painful, to be easier than recognizing human commutability.