I need a word.......((TEN POINTS TO WHOEVER GIVES ME THE RIGHT WORD))?

Question

okay people, I'm having an issue

I have to write a paper about the themes in "Rip Van Winkle" (Washington Irving) and in "two Kinds" by Amy Tan. I've already decided that my main theme is going to be "be yourself."

I need one word to call it that fits in the follwing title

The Theme of __________ in "Rip Van Winkel" and "Two Kinds"

Help!

Ten Points to whoever gets me the word

Answer 1

being one's self  or  being yourself

Answer 2

Individuality

Answer 3

being yourself or being true to yourself or maybe yourselfness

Answer 4

Individualism or Personal Uniqueness

Answer 5

self-determination

Answer 6

individuality  

Answer 7

  " Identity "

Answer 8

verisimilitude?

Answer 9

Self-actualization. Leave out "The theme of..."

Answer 10

originality

Answer 11

serendipity

Answer 12

Selfhood? or Uniqueness?

or maybe several words like The theme of Where One Begins and Ends in....