Introduction and Context
- And about this time I had a vision — and I saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle, and the sun was darkened – the thunder rolled in the Heavens, and blood flowed in streams – and I heard a voice saying, "Such is your luck, such you are called to see, and let it come rough or smooth, you must surely bear it." - from the Confessions of Nat Turner, 1831
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Nat Turner and the motivations behind his actions have been interpreted and reinterpreted by historians. Some contend that Nat Turner's actions were in part a search for racial justice and in other ways a bizarre and unrelated violent religious conviction. Despite the varied interpretation, it could be argued that no other moment in history defined the fears of slave owners in the South as did the slave insurrection led by Nat Turner.
On August 21-22, 1831, over a short time frame of about thirty-six hours, a band of slaves conspired and murdered over 50 unsuspecting whites who were targeted by Turner and his cohorts. Nearly all of the slaves involved in the insurrection were executed for their crimes, including Nat Turner. Turner was the last of the conspirators to be captured and arrested, over two months after the event. Following his arrest, Turner was interviewed in jail by Thomas Ruffin Gray, a wealthy South Hampton lawyer and slave owner. |
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The result of the interview was the "The Confessions of Nat Turner, The Leader of the Late Insurrection in South Hampton, VA.," and this document was used against Turner during his trial. The "Confession," recorded by Gray is in the first person and appeared to be the words and testimony of Turner. However, because Gray had full control of it, some of the wording is attributable to Gray and not Turner. Despite this fact, the important elements of the story remain factual and reliable, corroborated by witness testimony.
Nat Turner was not the first slave to think about rebelling against his slave owners. In fact, many anti-slavery advocates prophesied the justified potential of a slave revolt and Nat Turner fulfilled that prophesy. The repercussions of the rebellion in the South were severe because many slaves who had no involvement in the rebellion were punished out of suspicion or revenge. The insurrection of Nat Turner was monumental in two ways: slaveholders in the South tightened the constraints on their slaves because of their heightened fear of slave revolt and slaves who managed to escape from slavery gained a template for writing a narrative of experience to expose the slave institution of the South.
Nat Turner was not the first slave to think about rebelling against his slave owners. In fact, many anti-slavery advocates prophesied the justified potential of a slave revolt and Nat Turner fulfilled that prophesy. The repercussions of the rebellion in the South were severe because many slaves who had no involvement in the rebellion were punished out of suspicion or revenge. The insurrection of Nat Turner was monumental in two ways: slaveholders in the South tightened the constraints on their slaves because of their heightened fear of slave revolt and slaves who managed to escape from slavery gained a template for writing a narrative of experience to expose the slave institution of the South.
Document - from The Confessions of Nat Turner, the Leader of the Late Insurrection In Southampton, VA.
...and then again I had the same revelation, which fully confirmed me in the impression that I was ordained for some great purpose in the hands of the Almighty. Several years rolled round, in which many events occurred to strengthen me in this my belief. At this time I reverted in my mind to the remarks made of me in my childhood, and the things that had been shewn me--and as it had been said of me in my childhood by those by whom I had been taught to pray, both white and black, and in whom I had the greatest confidence, that I had too much sense to be raised, and if I was, I would never be of any use to any one as a slave. Now finding I had arrived to man's estate, and was a slave, and these revelations being made known to me, I began to direct my attention to this great object, to fulfill the purpose for which, by this time, I felt assured I was intended.
Knowing the influence I had obtained over the minds of my fellow servants, (not by the means of conjuring and such like tricks--for to them I always spoke of such things with contempt) but by the communion of the Spirit whose revelations I often communicated to them, and they believed and said my wisdom came from God. I now began to prepare them for my purpose, by telling them something was about to happen that would terminate in fulfilling the great promise that had been made to me...
...And about this time I had a vision--and I saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle, and the sun was darkened--the thunder rolled in the Heavens, and blood flowed in streams--and I heard a voice saying, "Such is your luck, such you are called to see, and let it come rough or smooth, you must surely bare it..."
...On Saturday evening, the 20th of August, it was agreed between Henry, Hark and myself, to prepare a dinner the next day for the men we expected, and then to concert a plan, as we had not yet determined on any. Hark, on the following morning, brought a pig, and Henry brandy, and being joined by Sam, Nelson, Will and Jack, they prepared in the woods a dinner, where, about three o'clock, I joined them.
Q. Why were you so backward in joining them.
A. The same reason that had caused me not to mix with them for years before.
I saluted them on coming up, and asked Will how came he there, he answered, his life was worth no more than others, and his liberty as dear to him. I asked him if he thought to obtain it? He said he would, or loose his life. This was enough to put him in full confidence. Jack, I knew, was only a tool in the hands of Hark, it was quickly agreed we should commence at home (Mr. J. Travis') on that night, and until we had armed and equipped ourselves, and gathered sufficient force, neither age nor sex was to be spared, (which was invariably adhered to.) We remained at the feast until about two hours in the night, when we went to the house and found Austin; they all went to the cider press and drank, except myself.
On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe, for the purpose of breaking it open, as we knew we were strong enough to murder the family, if they were awaked by the noise; but reflecting that it might create an alarm in the neighborhood, we determined to enter the house secretly, and murder them whilst sleeping...
Knowing the influence I had obtained over the minds of my fellow servants, (not by the means of conjuring and such like tricks--for to them I always spoke of such things with contempt) but by the communion of the Spirit whose revelations I often communicated to them, and they believed and said my wisdom came from God. I now began to prepare them for my purpose, by telling them something was about to happen that would terminate in fulfilling the great promise that had been made to me...
...And about this time I had a vision--and I saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle, and the sun was darkened--the thunder rolled in the Heavens, and blood flowed in streams--and I heard a voice saying, "Such is your luck, such you are called to see, and let it come rough or smooth, you must surely bare it..."
...On Saturday evening, the 20th of August, it was agreed between Henry, Hark and myself, to prepare a dinner the next day for the men we expected, and then to concert a plan, as we had not yet determined on any. Hark, on the following morning, brought a pig, and Henry brandy, and being joined by Sam, Nelson, Will and Jack, they prepared in the woods a dinner, where, about three o'clock, I joined them.
Q. Why were you so backward in joining them.
A. The same reason that had caused me not to mix with them for years before.
I saluted them on coming up, and asked Will how came he there, he answered, his life was worth no more than others, and his liberty as dear to him. I asked him if he thought to obtain it? He said he would, or loose his life. This was enough to put him in full confidence. Jack, I knew, was only a tool in the hands of Hark, it was quickly agreed we should commence at home (Mr. J. Travis') on that night, and until we had armed and equipped ourselves, and gathered sufficient force, neither age nor sex was to be spared, (which was invariably adhered to.) We remained at the feast until about two hours in the night, when we went to the house and found Austin; they all went to the cider press and drank, except myself.
On returning to the house, Hark went to the door with an axe, for the purpose of breaking it open, as we knew we were strong enough to murder the family, if they were awaked by the noise; but reflecting that it might create an alarm in the neighborhood, we determined to enter the house secretly, and murder them whilst sleeping...
Questions for Discussion and Document Based Analysis
- According to the first paragraph, what "purpose" did Nat Turner believe that he was fulfilling?
- Based on the text, why did Nat Turner believe that he had influence over the other African Americans?
- How does Nat Turner remove himself from the other conspirators? Why do you think he does this?
Sources Referenced
Anthony Santoro, "The Prophet in His Own Words: Nat Turner's Biblical Construction," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 116, No. 2 (2008): 114-149
Mary Kemp Davis, "William Styron's Nat Turner as an Archetypal Hero," The Southern Literary Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Fall, 1995): 67-84.
William Styron, "The Confessions of Nat Turner," Litigation, Vol. 26, No. 2, TOMORROW (Winter 2000): 67-69, 72.
Mary Kemp Davis, "William Styron's Nat Turner as an Archetypal Hero," The Southern Literary Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Fall, 1995): 67-84.
William Styron, "The Confessions of Nat Turner," Litigation, Vol. 26, No. 2, TOMORROW (Winter 2000): 67-69, 72.