Mark Twain explores this idea of "hipness" in his novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain develops the conflict of the individual versus society through Huck Finn, who rebelliously flees his hometown to break away from the strict setting he was forced to reside in. In general, Huck rarely followed the rules of society while at home; he was neither polite nor obedient. Huck goes as far as to leave town altogether to rid himself of this suffocating culture. He says, “All I wanted was to go somewheres; all I wanted was a change” (6). However, his act of defiance truly solidifies when he disregards the biggest cultural standard of all -- the segregation of African Americans. Huck not only runs away, but agrees to help a slave escape along with him.
Living in the Antebellum South, racism was common and expected; looking down upon African Americans and viewing them as nothing more than property was customary to the white people. When Huck agrees to help Jim, the African American slave, he begins to break these overwhelming racist conformities, although he does not acknowledge it directly. As the two of them travel further down the river to flee town, Huck begins to care for Jim. After humorously playing a trick on him, Huck states, “I wouldn’t done that one if I’d a knowed it would make him feel that way” (81). Apologizing to Jim shows that Huck values something in Jim that members of his society do not; he becomes much more than just property to Huck. Eventually, Huck takes measures to ensure Jim’s safety; he promises not to turn him in and even lies to slave hunters by saying Jim’s white. The more time Huck spends on the river, the more of an individual he becomes by straying away from the traditions of society. As time passes, he doesn’t look down on Jim at all, but rather sees him as a friend and an equal. Twain portrays the individualistic ideas of the American Experience by showing Huck mature as he spends time on the river with Jim and away from town. By breaking away from society, Huck stops being a conformist and develops into an independent, well-rounded individual; he discovers his identity.
Living in the Antebellum South, racism was common and expected; looking down upon African Americans and viewing them as nothing more than property was customary to the white people. When Huck agrees to help Jim, the African American slave, he begins to break these overwhelming racist conformities, although he does not acknowledge it directly. As the two of them travel further down the river to flee town, Huck begins to care for Jim. After humorously playing a trick on him, Huck states, “I wouldn’t done that one if I’d a knowed it would make him feel that way” (81). Apologizing to Jim shows that Huck values something in Jim that members of his society do not; he becomes much more than just property to Huck. Eventually, Huck takes measures to ensure Jim’s safety; he promises not to turn him in and even lies to slave hunters by saying Jim’s white. The more time Huck spends on the river, the more of an individual he becomes by straying away from the traditions of society. As time passes, he doesn’t look down on Jim at all, but rather sees him as a friend and an equal. Twain portrays the individualistic ideas of the American Experience by showing Huck mature as he spends time on the river with Jim and away from town. By breaking away from society, Huck stops being a conformist and develops into an independent, well-rounded individual; he discovers his identity.