How much power does an individual wield?

Each individual is the guide to their own their path--basically, you are the one who lives your life. Throughout the existence of humanity, we have adapted to a system of control over a mass body of people. This is commonly known as government. From the Greeks to the Romans, New England Colonies to the United State of America, societies have formed together under a major power. Despite this overall control placed upon the average society (disregarding an anarchy), as individuals each person affects the community they inhabit. Yes, by collecting and bonding under the powers of a government each individual grants their own powers toward the government and in return the authority promises to protect the citizen. But regardless of the limitations that a governmental power places upon the individual, each individual has the power to carry out their thoughts and actions--despite any consequences. Although the consequences that an authorial government holds against individuals within society, each individual has something a higher power shall never be able to remove--their thoughts. No matter the punishment that is placed before them, the threat of disobeying, every single person has their own power to make their own chose. This theme is revealed throughout the book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, when Twain emphasizes on the issue of slavery/racism. Throughout the book, Huck is surrounded by the ignorant "morals" of the South that whites are inferior to African Americans. Eventually, Huck realizes that Jim is also just another individual. And that both, are human--capable of emotion equally. Upon coming to this realization, Huck challenges the conformed views of the community when he declares, “All right then, I'll go to hell!” Furthermore, it is important to note that Jim is the catalyst that leads Huck into this epiphany. Jim acts as the good morals and heart of the story as he guides and helps Huck. It is because of the humanity of Jim, that Huck is able to relate individuals to the bigger idea of a society itself. This demonstrates the individual influence that a person has; thus leading into a larger mass of influence that is carried out later on. If everyone conformed to the social normalities or followed the path drawn by authority, our current community would not exist. Each and every person has their own perspective,and originality--the ability to take something and make it your own is truly personal. And the actions of those before us, influence us now. The lives of those lost in the Civil War remind us that freedom is something to defend and honor, and that we as people have the right to live freely. On a completely isolated view, the individual controls their actions, emotions, and responses. It is true, we are unable to manipulate what happens to us, but we are able to control how we respond to those situations. As individuals we hold the power to influence each other. As Doctor Who once said, "You know that in 900 years of time and space,  and I've never met anyone that wasn't important".