Individuality

in·di·vid·u·al·i·ty

  [in-duh-vij-oo-al-i-tee]

noun, plural in·di·vid·u·al·i·ties.

1.

the particular character, or aggregate of qualities, that distinguishes one person or thing fromothers; sole and personal nature: a person of marked individuality.

2.

individualities, individual characteristics.

3.

a person or thing of individual or distinctive character.

4.

state or quality of being individual; existence as a distinct individual.

5.

the interests of the individual as distinguished from the interests of the community.

There is nothing more important than being yourself, a unique individual. As defined by the dictionary, individuality is basically a character that distinguishes one person from another. An individual is a person or thing of individual or distinctive character. As seen throughout The Power of One by written by Bryce Courtenay, protagonist Peekay finds it necessary to conform and hide behind a camouflage in order to become a functional member of society. Peekay strugles to find his true identity and become an individual. From the start Peekay's conformance to the South African culture shows his need for a camoflauge, hiding away his true identity and individuality. The fact that we never learn Peekay's real name throughout the whole novel shows how much he has hidden his true identity lacking individuality. True individuality comes from a person of a distinctive, unique, and individual character. The interests of the individual are distinguished from the interests of the community. Although Peekay does face several obstacles throughout the novel keeping his true identity from society, Peekay does not take much interest in who he should be as an individual as opposed to who he feels he truly is as an individual in society and the purpose he serves in society. As the novel progresses, Peekay aims to stop seeking a camouflage and become the best thing you can be in society, an individual. Unaware of it, Peekay has developed a new camouflage. This camouflage forfeits his individuality and turns him into someone who constantly wins and always feels the need to be the best. He believes that people like winners so that is what his camouflage turns him into so he can be accepted by his peers.  Peekay strives to be the best at everything he does and eventually does achieves this goal towards the end of the novel. As Peekay grows older throughout the novel, he finally realizes the existence of his new camouflage and tries to destroy it so he can follow his life guided by the morals, ideas, and values that make up individuality which is what he has been seeking throughout the entire course of the novel. Peekay just wants to be accepted by society for who he is and in order to do this he must destroy the camouflage he has created for himself and find his true individual identity. Courtney surrounds Peekay with very distinguishing characters each with an expressive vivid individual identity in hope that Peekay may act like a sponge and soak up an identity. Several of the characters which surround Peekay during the course of the novel have an important lesson to teach Peekay and regardless of the lesson they have to teach and its importance/impact which it holds Courtenay has placed her characters around Peekay in order to show that he basically takes different components from each of the different characters in the novel to almost create his own true identity. Courtenay does a good job of characterizing her main characters in the novel, most of them being of good moral and character they all provide their own special component to the individual identity that is Peekay. Peekay teaches an important lesson that one can overcome their camouflage and reveal their true identity to society, most of the time one just needs support and time. Throughout the novel The Power of One Peekay struggles to find his true identity but with help from others and time he finds his true identity and is accepted by society for who he truly is.