Abstract This paper is about the NatTurner's slave rebellion, known as the only successful such revolution. It deals extensively with William Styron's novel, "Confessions of NatTurner," comparing it to the primary source written by Thomas Gray, of the same name. It also discusses numerous newspaper accounts of the event, analyzing the evolving story, and the different biases in reporting. The paper examines critiques of Styron's novel, "Ten Black Writers respond...", and Styron's defenses. Finally, the paper compares Turner's role as a villain to that of modern-day "villains."
From the Paper "The Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines the word "history "as "a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events ." It is often in this explanation that historians will differ. When all presented with similar primary sources, each must chose their own way to understand and explain the unrecorded reasons behind certain actions. Occasionally these explanations will be based on one's own biases or agendas. Often primary sources themselves, though externally objective, may attempt to influence their readers toward a specific point of view. Similar disputes frequently recur over time, when similar historical situations occur. How one understands Nat Turner and his role in the Southampton slave revolt occurring in 1831, given its connections to such sensitive topics as race and religion, may largely be based on such predispositions. Additionally, cases like that of Turner seem to take place during each generation, leading to similar recurring disputes."
Abstract This paper discusses the book, "The Fires of Jubilee: NatTurner's Fierce Rebellion" by Stephen B. Oates, which recounts the life and times of NatTurner as he led the 1831 slave rebellion in Virginia. A background is provided about the author. The book is summarized thoroughly, presenting all the central characters and the main points of the historical account. The writer offers a personal critique and evaluation of the book.
From the Paper "The author also discusses the plight of Nat's mother, Nancy who was born in Africa and lived through the Trans Atlantic voyage known as the middle passage. Nancy was taken from Africa when she was only a teenager. The book was graphic in describing the voyage and the plight of the Africans aboard and the way that they were treated by white Europeans. Nancy was very opposed to slavery and taught her son that people should be free. The lessons that Nancy taught Nat stayed with him for the rest of his life."
Abstract This paper takes a look at a slave uprising as documented in Stephen Oat's book Fires of Jubilee: NatTurner's Fierce Rebellion. It analyzes the main character of the book, NatTurner and how his seemingly small scale revolution set the wheels in motion for the eventual abolishment of slavery.
From the paper:
"Stephen Oates, in his book Fires of Jubilee: NatTurner's Fierce Rebellion, crafts a compelling story. The story of this slave rebellion is indeed so compelling a one that it would be hard to imagine a telling of it that was not fascinating. But in the end Oates, despite his credentials, does a disservice both to Turner and to the larger forces at work in the decades before the Civil War. In order to assess Oates's treatment of Turner, it would be useful to examine what is generally known and agreed to about Turner. He was born on a plantation in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1800 and was from a very early age a popular religious leader among his fellow slaves. In part due no doubt to whatever had motivated him to become interested in preaching and in part because he was so popular with other slaves who came to listen to him talk about God, Turner became convinced that he had been chosen by God to lead his people to freedom."
Abstract This paper examines Stephen B. Oates's book, "Fires of Jubilee: NatTurner's Fierce Rebellion," in an attempt to determine who NatTurner really was and why he did what he did. The paper includes some first-hand observations about this region of the country during the last part of the 20th century. The paper contends that the historical record presented by Oates shows that NatTurner reacted by engaging in a series of violent acts that reflected the violent nature of the times.
From the Paper "During the 1500's and 1600's, the colonization of the New World by Europeans resulted in the rapid expansion of slavery; however, changing moral attitudes about slavery helped to bring about its decline during the 1800's. According to Stephen B. Oates, Nat Turner is the most famous and most controversial slave rebel in American history. Turner's portrayal in William Styron's novel, The Confessions of Nat Turner, as "a celibate bachelor given to masturbating about white women" has only served to fuel the controversy. Stephen B. Oates provides a thorough examination of who Nat Turner really was, and why he did what he did in this book, including some first-hand observations about this region of the country during the last part of the 20th century."
Abstract In this paper, the writer looks at the book "The Confessions of NatTurner" which is described as a novel of historical fiction. The writer notes that Styron writes the novel in first person and the story is ostensibly told by NatTurner himself, forcing the reader to look at the complex issues that led to the rebellion. The writer maintains that the reader is forced to see NatTurner as a complex and conflicted human being. Further, the writer discusses the ideas of slavery and freedom within the novel. The writer concludes that as a whole, the book gives the reader an in-depth view of what it might have been like to be an angry slave during the time depicted.
From the Paper "Although the book is divided into four parts, the parts do not follow a sequential structure. The images we get of Nat Turner and his thoughts are fragmented and shift between time periods. This adds to the credibility of Styron's fiction. A person under the kinds of stress Nat Turner was in prison would not calmly recall his life in an orderly and sequential way. Instead, images, events or comments would trigger a wave of memories. Only gradually can the reader piece together the sequential events of Nat Turner's life.
Inevitably, the book deals with the idea of freedom. Nat Turner is quite taken with the young white woman Miss Margaret, whom he occasionally drives from place to place. Miss Margaret claims to be an abolitionist, reads poetry to Nat and listens to him recite psalms."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that NatTurner lead the largest and one of the most successful slave rebellions in American history in 1831, long before the American Civil War took place. However, the writer points out that most of the other facts about Turner's life remain elusive in the eyes of writers and historians alike. The writer discusses that to flesh out the myths and legends surrounding Turner's complicated theology, rebellion, and psychology, 19th century American historian Stephen Oates attempts to provide a speculative history as to the context of the plantation life in which Turner was reared as a slave. The writer looks at how Turner came to view himself as a prophetic figure and lead the fierce rebellion of the title. The writer notes that Oates suggests that Turner was both an extraordinary figure, a man whose rebellion changed the South, but also an ordinary man, who showed amazing courage, intelligence, and brutality in the face of history.
From the Paper "In his book, Oates portrays slavery and the slave community as a totally enclosing institution, with heavy white control upon slave mobility, intellectually and geographically. This partially explains why more blacks did not rebel with Turner, he surmises. He also examines the empowering nature of slave religion, which originated as an instrument of white control upon slaves, but which also acted as a tool of empowerment for some slaves like Turner, who believed that his visions gave him prophetic status and the right to free his people. Religion and Christianity was a double-edged sword for slaves, preaching meekness when transmitted in the voices of slave-owners, but also a gospel of judgment, where the mighty would be brought low by the oppressed, in the name of justice."
A review of the book "Maus I and II" by Art Spiegelman, "The Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez and "The Confessions of NatTurner" by William Styron and how they relate to history.
2,244 words (approx. 9 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 69.95
Abstract This paper examines how in "Maus I and II", Art Spiegelman, uses the comic book genre to explain the complex and un-comical of one Holocaust survivor's tale and the transmission or testimony of this tale to the son. It looks at how "The Hunger of Memory" is Richard Rodriquez's autobiographical story of growing up and achieving success in white America and how it has affected his relationship with his own culture. It also looks at how in "The Confessions of NatTurner", William Styron has written a story taken from an actual event in American history and digs deep into the psychology behind NatTurner's 1831 slave revolt. It analyzes how all three books a slice of time is explored in a sort of first person narrative and how each looks at the human side of historical events and how the times and the events shaped their lives.
From the Paper "Art Spiegelman uses the comic book format for telling his story of his family's experiences during the Holocaust. His use of cats (the Nazis), mice (the Jews), pigs (the Poles) and other national stereotypes is designed to focus the reader's mind on the complex issues that occurred during the Holocaust. The use of the comic book genre is intended to amplify the process of compression, simplification and devaluation not merely of the Nazi's practices before and during the Holocaust, but the reduction and simplification present in many responses to the Holocaust as well. Spiegelman moves through several different historical subject-positions and narrated events to tell his story. Not only is there the pre-holocaust, the Holocaust, and the post holocaust, but also, within one time frame, there can be other times and places co-present as well."
Abstract This paper presents the views of a lawyer who is looking to make a successful appeal in the NatTurner case. This case refers to the "NatTurner rebellion", where a slave lead his fellows in an uprising in the town of Southampton in which fifty- seven whites were killed and the community buildings seriously impacted. This case is considered to be one of the most dramatic events towards abolition, for it demonstrated that the slaves in the United States were no longer content to remain as slaves.
Abstract This paper examines the story of NatTurner's rebellion and its effect on slave resistance. The paper explains that Turner's story is significant because it meant different things for many people in America. For blacks, Turner was a symbol of hope and resistance, and to Southern whites, he represented their greatest fear, that the oppressed blacks would not tolerate their conditions much longer. The paper looks at how Turner's "confession" helped to galvanize the anti-slavery movement in the North. The paper then points out that it is important that Americans acknowledge the slave rebellions because they meant so many different things to many different people. The paper also suggests that knowing that slaves fought courageously for their natural rights might inspire modern-day African Americans and replace some of the defeatist attitude that is evident in some black cultures. It would also make white America acknowledge their sins of the past and come to terms with them. The writer believes that by understanding and acknowledging America's dark past, the country can make a better effort to atone for the mistakes of the past by helping many African Americans bring their standard of living up to that of other American ethnic groups.
From the Paper "Before he died, he told his story to Thomas Gray, who turned it into the book, "The Confessions of Nat Turner". Gray manipulated much of Turner's story to portray the rebellious slaves not as people pushed to their limits and fighting for their natural rights, but as savages bent on bloodthirsty revenge. This story sent shockwaves throughout the divided country. Many Southerners used it as justification to commit violent crimes against blacks and to enforce stricter slavery laws."
Turner's story is significant because it meant different things for many people in America. For blacks, Turner was a symbol of hope and resistance. He was a spiritual man who was doing what God had told him to do. To Southern whites, he represented their greatest fear, that the oppressed blacks would not tolerate their conditions much longer. His "confession" helped to galvanize the anti-slavery movement in the North."
Abstract This research constructs a narrative of the slave revolt led by NatTurner in 1831, with reference to documents produced at the time of the event. The research sets forth the context in which the Turner rebellion occurred and then discusses the motivation of Turner, the causes of the revolt and the goals of the rebels.
From the Paper "By the time Nat Turner and other slaves killed more than 50 white people in and around Southampton, Virginia, in August of 1831, the slaveholders of the South had little experience that might have prepared them for the realization that the institution of slavery could place their lives in jeopardy. A conspiracy led by Denmark Vesey, a free Negro living in Charleston, North Carolina, had emerged in 1822, partly out of public discourse over the Missouri Compromise (1821), which settled the geographical boundaries of slavery in the territory of the Louisiana Purchase. When a "faithful retainer" revealed the plot, Vesey and 35 others were hanged, and another 34 were exiled (Wiltse 71). By 1831, public discourse of slavery and antagonistic North-South debate had heightened with the appearance of Garrison's abolitionist newspaper The Liberator. Nevertheless, Nat Turner's slave rebellion was not anticipated, and this fact is supported by the commentary that contained a good deal of speculation about the revolt's causes and Turner's motives."
A review of the book "The Fires of Jubilee: NatTurner's Fierce Rebellion," by Stephen B. Oates that sets the stage for the slave rebellion that shook Southampton County in Virginia on August 22, 1831.
Abstract This paper discusses the book "The Fires of Jubilee: NatTurner's Fierce Rebellion," by Stephen B. Oates, a tale of what it was to be a slave in the South in the 1800s, and how it drove some blacks to violence and hatred. It analyzes the historical value of the book which is part novel and part biography and looks at the qualities of the main character Nat which make him a leader.
From the Paper "From the opening paragraph, historian and biographer Stephen B. Oates sets the stage for the slave rebellion that would shake Southampton County in Virginia on August 22, 1831. The author shows in graphic detail the abject poverty of the slaves, the cruelty of their owners, and the utter hopelessness of the slaves' situation, from the "pungent" outhouses, to the ramshackle houses of the poor. He is carefully setting the stage to introduce the main character of the book, Nat Turner, famous for fathering a slave rebellion, and for the "justice" meted out after he was caught. The early portion of the book lays the foundation for the rebellion, by explaining how oppressed the blacks were, and how they felt they had no other option than to take the law into their own hands, and revolt. Oates succeeds in laying this foundation well ? making us understand the desperation and disgust that led to these rash measures."
Abstract The paper examines Oates' "Fires of Jubilee," an account of the slave rebellion of NatTurner in 1831. The paper describes the slave experience and has the theme of injustice throughout the paper. The paper also includes the religious context of the book.
From the Paper ""In The Fires of Jubilee" Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion: Stephen Oates gives an account of the brief but deadly slave revolt in and around Southampton, Virginia. His controlling theme is that of religion and the profound influence that it had on the development of Nat Turner's charismatic persona and his rationale for engaging in a project of deliberate murder of people who had at least in the context of slavery as a given of Turner's experience, treated him quite decently."
Abstract This paper looks at three non-white individuals of the early 1800's Tecumseh, NatTurner, and Frederick Douglas and the impact they had on history by resisting the white establishment.
From the Paper "On the other hand the Indian tribes viewed the American cause as incomprehensible and outrageous. Even as a young boy, Tecumseh was exposed to the fighting and loss of family members due to the American expansion. In the 1780?s, "he was already forming the belief that guided his life: the Indians" only real and permanent security would come from resisting the white invasion and forcing a recognition of Indian territorial rights? (Nash 157). Therefore he had no other choice but to fight for his land. From the Indian point of view, land was a gift from above and not to be bought or sold by anyone. Treaties made with Congress were invalid due to the fact that one tribe had signed away another tribes land. As for siding with the British in the war, the Indians were not guilty of any crime. "
Abstract This paper explains similarities in the NatTurner revolt and the Muslim uprising of 1815 in Bahia. Both revolts involved (1) a thoughtfully strategized method of procuring change within societies built on slave trade, (2) deadly and violent consequences for their leadership, (3) highly publicized and documented by the press and government, and (4) caused a panic, which influenced ideas and changes that made the future happen. The author points out that the NatTurner revolt was smaller in regards to organization and mob than the Bahia uprising, but it had a more defined influence upon American Southern society. The paper relates that the Bahia uprising remained local, yet was still impressive. Because slavery did not have as far-reaching influences for Brazil as it did for the American South, it was easier for the culture to adjust.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The NatTurner Revolt of 1831
Slavery in the Region
Who was NatTurner?
The Revolt
The Aftermath
The Muslim Uprising of 1835 in Bahia
History of the Region
The Indians
Brazil's Natural Resources
Slavery in the Region
The Uprising
The Aftermath
Conclusion
From the Paper "This now was the most dangerous part of their trajectory with the sea to the left and high cliffs to the right, the men had to pass the Quartel of the Calvary and the Calvary was ready. The Males charged, scattered, chased and hunted down by mounted soldiers, and this effectively was the end of the Male Revolt. It was also the beginning of the repercussions. It is important to note that during the three hours of the revolt itself, not a single citizen who was not a part of the constabulary or armed forces was harmed. There was no looting, no wanton violence. With the exception of one house set fire to by the slaves escaping it, nothing was damaged. Still, to protect the innocent from mass hysteria, soldiers were ordered to destroy property and plunder the area."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the book 'The Fires of Jubilee: NatTurner's Fierce Rebellion' that recounts the events that led up to the slave uprising in Southampton Country, Virginia, in August 1831. The writer notes that, taking the reader back into the history of American slavery, historian and author, Stephen B. Oates, describes Turner's ethnic roots, his childhood, and the manner in which his religious convictions led him to the belief that God was instructing him to lead an uprising against the oppressive white slave-owners. The writer points out that the author then gives a detailed report of the horrific and bloody insurrection that followed. The writer notes that the book ends with the death of NatTurner, and the political and social consequences in the aftermath of the uprising.
From the Paper "Nat Turner's childhood was spent on a small, but prosperous, cotton plantation that was situated in Virginia. He was raised in an oppressive atmosphere that never allowed him to forget that he was owned, and was a regular witness of injustice and indiscrimination. His mother, a native African, could remember their homeland, which meant that Nat's childhood was filled with her passionate hatred of slavery, and probably tales of her previous life in Africa. Nat could also remember his father attempting to run away, and the obligatory punishment that he would have received upon his capture. Surviving under the most strictest and harshest of conditions, he often saw indescribable acts of violence that could not have failed to have scarred his young mind."
