Summary: An Identity Of Rebellion

An Identity of Rebellion America was founded upon the principle that all humans possess innate rights, given by the Creator of the universe. In 1776 when Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, he illustrated that, “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson, 1776/2014, p. 108). America was founded upon Christian ideals and morals, the belief that all people have worth, value, and deserve respect. Thus, when authority abuses power, it is not only the individual’s right, but their responsibility to disobey the established government to secure their freedom. Regardless of the resulting adversity or

In Civil disobedience, by Thoreau, he suggests “There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived” (Thoreau, 1998, para. 45). Ideally, suggesting that all people should have power over the state. Thoreau defends his belief, saying, “Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong but conscience?—in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable?” then saying, “Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator” (Thoreau, 1998, para. 4). Thoreau promotes the idea that every man should obey his own conscience, regardless of the established laws, for man is higher than the state. As such, each person has the “right” to follow their own agendas to fruition, regardless of the cost to others. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, authored by Mark Twain, the main character, Huck is caught in a crisis of deciphering between right and wrong, surrendering a runaway slave to the authorities, or hiding him until he can reach freedom. Ultimately, Huck states, “What’s the use of learning to do what’s right, when it’s troublesome to do right, and it ain’t no trouble to do wrong?”(Twain & Reichardt, 2009, p. 106). Huck displays the difficulty between what is viewed as “right” and “wrong.” When the state’s laws and regulations differed from the slave Huck was attempting to help, Huck was faced with difficult internal conflict. However, in the moment, it was not Huck’s conscience that helped guide his decision. Ultimately, Huck decided upon what