The purest definition of the word 'individuality' is a unique character which distinguishes one person from others. When the concept of individuality is thought of in this way, it becomes clear that every single human being is an individual - no person is the same in every way, we all have different life experiences, different relationships and, fundamentally different personalities.

The novel, 'You don't know me' by David Klass clearly illustrates this concept. This book is written from inside the mind of John. John is an ordinary teenager, he has no disabilities, he has no extraordinary gifts and is not perceived by those around him as an individual. However, by having an insight into his thoughts, it is obvious that he looks at life and people from a very unusual perspective. Most teenagers would not think the way John does, so he is, indeed, an individual. John does not act out his thoughts, he is able to separate his thoughts from his behaviour. In this way he appears to be like any other boy his age. Even the title demonstrates the individuality of the boy, John. He recognises his own individuality, but is very careful to guard it by hiding it behind a mask of normality.

John is very aware of the world around him. His mind is always working , and he is constantly making up names for people and things. For example, he has a crush on a girl he refers to as Glory Hallelujah. Her name is really Gloria,but to him she is like a heavenly being. John describes her as the ugliest and most stupid girl in school. She is, in fact, smart and beautiful, but John believes that if he thinks of her as the opposite, when she refuses to go out with him he won't feel as bad - he will be able to tell himself that he really did not want to go out with her anyway because she is so ugly. He comes across as being fairly vague because his mind is actually always working and he gets lost in his thoughts.

His home life is quite tragic but he makes sure nobody finds out. His unique way of thinking gives him the courage and strength to deal with his mother's abusive fiancè. As the reader knows what John is thinking, it is clear that he is very unhappy. He hates school and is unhappy at home, but to the outside world he is a normal, happy teenager who keeps to himself. He is an average student, but his thoughts reveal that he does, in fact, possess a very sharp, intelligent mind.

Individuality is a very general term, and when examined in its broadest sense, one can only conclude that every person possesses some quality which makes them an individual. The difference is that in some people the quality which defines them is very obvious, whereas in others that quality definitely exists, but is well hidden, as in the case of John in the book 'You don't know me.'