Rhetorical Analysis of the Confessions of Nat Turner. Gray, who claimed to have had little influence on Turners narration, asked him at one point if he did not find himself mistaken now that the prophecy which he had been called upon to fulfill ended in tragedy. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. [2], Gray wanted to live at Round Hill (his dad's house was located here) instead of being involved in law. Fortunately, Turners Confessions, recorded by Thomas R. Gray, provides important clues to Turners central religious beliefs. All rights reserved. Gray depicted Turner as an exceptional figure, distinguished from his followers by his honesty, his commanding intelligence, and his firm belief in the righteousness of his cause. 55, 40 Advertising Notice There is also an expenditure of additional energy for the movement by livestock and humans (Osuji 1974; Turner et al. After his revolt was violently suppressed by local whites and the Virginia state militia, Nat Turner went into hiding but was eventually captured, tried, and hanged. While in jail, Nat Turner dictated a confession to his attorney, Thomas R. Gray. How does David Livingstone describe Africa? The Confessions of Nat Turner was a book published by Thomas R. Gray, the court-appointed lawyer for Turner. He makes no attempt (as all the other insurgents who were examined did,) to exculpate himself, but frankly acknowledges his full participation in all the guilt of the transaction, he wrote. When he was 21 his father gave him 400 acres at Round Hill where there was a structure worth about $50. Nat Turners rebellion put an end to the white Southern myth that slaves were either contented with their lot or too servile to mount an armed revolt. He is a complete fanatic., But, even then, some saw his fanaticism in a different context. He did find a survivor who was a 12-year-old girl who gave him a recounting of what happened there. The confessions begin with a description of events from Turners childhood that, according to Gray, led him to believe that he destined to fulfill a prophecy. How were Thomas Sankara and Fred Hampton different? The exact number killed remains unsubstantiatedvarious sources claim anywhere from fifty to sixty-five. While The Confessions of Nat Turner remains the ur-text for anyone who wants to understand Nat Turner, this 5,000-word account creates as many questions as it answers. copyright 2003-2023 Homework.Study.com. According to Gray, an eclipse of the sun in February inspired Turner to confide in four fellow slaves: Henry, Hark, Nelson, and Sam. Turner, on the other hand, learned how to read as a child, and his Bible was the book that he knew intimately. For his effort, he received the 1968 Pulitzer Prize in fiction, but there was also an angry backlash from Black readers who accused Styron, a white southern male whose grandmother had been an enslaver, of racism, especially in his depiction of Turners lust for and killing of a white woman. Learn the history of the U.S. slavery system, including the definition of an abolitionist and their work versus the pro-slavery movement. The leader of the deadly slave revolt had a deep Christian faith that propelled his rebellious actions. To those who thought Turner ignorant, Gray responded: He certainly never had the advantages of education, but he can read and write, (it was taught to him by his parents,) and for natural intelligence and quickness of apprehension, is surpassed by few men I have seen., Gray disputed any suggestion that Turner acted out of base motives, that his object was to murder and rob for the purpose of obtaining money to make his escape. Turner believed that God also communicated to him through the natural world. Gray was deeply disturbed by the scenes he observed as the group went through the areas treaded by the rebellion. When Turner tried to join one of these churches, the church refused to baptize the religious slave who saw himself as a prophet. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions? Createyouraccount. Some of them owned Bibles anyway, which could then serve as tangible reminders of the Good News contained within. Home | When he was in the woods, the Holy Spirit appeared to Turner and ordered him to return to the service of my earthly masterFor he who knoweth his Master's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes, and thus, have I chastened you. When the slaves heard Turner quote the slaveholders favorite passage from Luke, the slaves themselves rejected Turners claims to prophesy. Gray used Turners voice to serve his own agenda, which was to ease the impact if the insurrections and to reaffirm slave owners as to why slavery is justifiable. How were the views of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Tens of thousands of Americans have come to know the event only through William Styrons 1967 novelThe Confessions of Nat Turner. Gray is a lawyer and he understands the situation of his client ( Nat Turner) . Nat Turner destroyed the white Southern myth that slaves were actually happy with their lives or too docile to undertake a violent rebellion. Turner describes two other ways that God communicated with him. The resulting extended essay, "The Confessions of Nat Turner, The Leader of the Late Insurrection in Southampton, VA.," was used against Turner during his trial. With the help of his father, Gray acquired extensive holdings in land and enslaved people. His mother was an African native who transmitted a passionate hatred of slavery to her son. Like many 19th-century American Protestants, Turner drew his inspiration and much of his vocabulary from the Bible. (Close reading) How did the author describe Turner? Both Gabriel and Nat Turner were expected to confess their guilt, provide information on means and motive, and, if necessary, help put idle rumors to rest. What is the importance of Thomas Gage? Give us your email address and well send this sample there. It gave enslavers and their sympathizers a plausible explanation for the uprising, one that placed the blame on a single charismatic leader acting under extraordinary conditions. Turner reportedly answered, "Was not Christ crucified? With little explanation, he then sold his farmland and most of his enslaved laborers, moved to the county seat of Jerusalem, and embarked on a career in law. His "Confession," dictated to physician Thomas R. Gray, was taken while he. Nat Turner on His Battle against Slavery. Why was Thomas E. Watson important to the New South? Nat Turner was born on October 2, 1800, in Southampton County, Virginia, the week before Gabriel was hanged. Gray seems to want to emphasize the power of whites following the insurrection, making a point of including the fact that "Nat's only weapon was a small light sword which he immediately surrendered, and begged that his life might be spared" (p. 3). Spreading terror throughout the white South, his action set off a new wave of oppressive legislation prohibiting the education, movement, and assembly of slaves and stiffened proslavery, antiabolitionist convictions that persisted in that region until the American Civil War (186165). How were Booker T. Washington and Ben Franklin similar? We invite you to learn more about Indians in Virginia in our Encyclopedia Virginia. The Confessions of Nat Turner, the Leader of the Late Insurrection in Southampton, Va. - Definition & Abolition. He argues that the revolt was an isolated event solely fueled by Turners religious extremism and not retaliation against the institution of slavery. Gray attributed the insurrection to religious enthusiasm and fanaticism of a mind warped and perverted by the influence of early impressions. That Turner was every bit the madman he appeared to be, Gray had little doubt. When Joseph Ruffin died, he freed a slave named Charles and also gave one slave to each of Thomas Gray's children. 15, Thomas R. Gray Yet, when Turner fell ill, the date passed without action. He is a complete fanatic, or plays his part most admirably., Turners narrativepresented, Gray insisted, with little or no variation, from his own wordsgave an autobiographical history of the late insurrection and the motives behind it. A planned slave revolt led by a blacksmith named Gabriel (owned by Thomas Prosser, of Henrico County) is thwarted when a huge storm delays the meeting of the conspirators and a few nervous slaves reveal the plot to their masters. Has Nat Turner changed his mind about the rebellion? Most slaves could not read. motive was his hatred of slavery and the suffering his people had Well occasionally send you promo and account related email. Turner always understood his revolt in religious terms. What is The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin about? How did Stokely Carmichael show character? Turner described himself as uncommonly intelligent for a child (Gray, 6). Also, Turner thought it was God's will for him to lead a ", Reliegious, strong, tall, brave, headstrong. Gray attached a sworn statement signed by six members of the county court, certifying that the confessions were read to Turner in their presence and that Turner acknowledged the same to be full, free, and voluntary. Gray verified that he recorded the confessions of Turner with little or no variation, from his own words. As for the sincerity and truthfulness of the prisoner, Gray said he cross-examined Turner and found his statement corroborated by the confessions of other prisoners and other circumstances. In the book Nat Turner: a Slave Rebellion on History and Memory Greenberg state The Confessions of Nat Turner (a published pamphlet Introduction produced as a result of conversations between Turner and local lawyer Thomas R. Gray), and a scattering of other materials. While Turner acknowledged Gray's rendering of his confession as "full, free, and voluntary" during his trial, there can be no doubt that Turner's execution was inevitable, regardless of his confession, given the climate in the state following the insurrection (p. 5). No slave uprising, before or after the incident, had inflicted such a blow on the ranks of slaveholders and their families in the United States. When captured after the revolt, Turner readily placed his revolt in a biblical context, comparing himself at some times to the Old Testament prophets, at another point to Jesus Christ. In doing so, he blurred the line between slave narrative and enslavers public record. Nat Turners Revolt, which had taken place just five days earlier, had left more than 50 whites dead; by the time the trials finished, a similar number of suspected rebels were either killed extra legally or condemned and executed. The biggest was led in 1831 by Nat Turner, a Virginia slave preacher, whose rebels killed 60 whites before he was captured and hanged.. Turner pleads not guilty and is quickly found guilty and sentenced to death via hanging (p. 20). Nat Turner On November 10th, Gray registered his copyright for the Confessions, in Washington, D.C. Another interesting thing about the confessions is the speaking style Gray claims Turners confessed the events of the insurgence in. Terms of Use How did Thomas R Gray describe Nat Turner? Cookie Policy Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The General is said to have manifested the utmost composure, the U.S. Gazette reported, and with the true spirit of heroism seems ready to resign his high office, and even his life, rather than gratify the officious inquiries of the Governor. In refusing to make a full, free, and voluntary confession, Gabriel deprived posterity of his perspective on the event that bears his name. At this time I reverted in my mind to the remarks made of me in my childhood, and the things that had been shewn meand 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. As for the sincerity and truthfulness of the prisoner, Gray said he cross-examined Turner and found his statement corroborated by the confessions of other prisoners and other circumstances. That sense of purpose was why Turner once ran away but soon returned to the plantation and to bondage. 2014). Even though the accounts in this confession may not be completely accurate, Grays transcriptions represent Turner as being firmly religious. While nothing about the narrative suggests that Gray forced Turner into telling his story, Gray structures the narrative put an emphasis on Turners religious convictions and the revolts malicious violence, which portrayed Turner as being violently vengeful. About | 13. How did Shirley Chisholm describe her life? Accessibility Statement, DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. One-hundred and eighty-five years ago this week, in the early hours of Aug. 22, Turner and a some of his fellow slaves entered Turners masters home, having decided that Turner must spill the first blood to start the rebellion, as Turner would later recount. He paid taxes on 2 horses and 14 slaves that were older than 12 that spring. Throughout the region, Protestant churches run by whites ministered to both whites and blacks. On August 21, 1831 he had lead a violent insurrection. The calm way he spoke of his late actions, the expression of his fiend-like face when excited by enthusiasm, still bearing the stains of the blood of helpless innocence about him. 10-11). [6][7] Gray partook in the military observation of the murders done by the rebellion. The obvious inconsistency between the voice supposedly speaking and the actual language used in this document lessens its authenticity. One confession of Nat Turner is important, they wrote. Get your custom essay on, Rhetorical Analysis of the Confessions of Nat Turner , Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper, "You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy". How were Nat Turner and David Walker similar or different? What evidence do you have for answering this . The eloquently and classically expressed confession attributed to Turner appeared to be calculated to cast some doubt over the authenticity of the narrative, and to give the Bandit a character for intelligence which he does not deserve, and ought not to have received., Still, the Enquirer saw the pamphlet as a useful weapon against northern abolitionists. Everything connected with the rebellion was wrapped in mystery, until Nat Turner the leader of the violent and savage band, was captured. The Confessions of Nat Turner, the Leader of the Late Insurrection in Southampton, Va. October of 1830, he became certified as an attorney and was allowed to start practicing in court in December. Nat Turner (18001831) was known to his local fellow servants in Southampton County as The Prophet. On the evening of Sunday, August 21, 1831, he met six associates in the woods at Cabin Pond, and about 2:00 a.m. they began to enter local houses and kill the white inhabitants. Styron fictionalized a historic character, Nat Turner, but nevertheless remained faithful to the known facts, most of which came from the 1831 Confessions of Nat Turner. What factors led to the ultimate defeat of Nat Turner? . What kinds of things convinced Nat Turner that he was destined for some-thing special? In November of 1831, shortly before to his execution, Turner gave a jailhouse confession, to attorney Thomas Gray, to answer the question. How does John Reed describe Pancho Villa? Why was Thomas Johnson famous for Maryland? [10], Gray published The Confessions of Nat Turner, which purports to be Turner's confession and account of his life leading up the rebellion, as well as an account of Turner's motives and actions during the rebellion. How does Jacob Lawrence characterize American art? Omissions? Several years rolled round, in which many events occurred to strengthen me in this my belief. Very organized ,I enjoyed and Loved every bit of our professional interaction . Nat Turner, (born October 2, 1800, Southampton county, Virginia, U.S.died November 11, 1831, Jerusalem, Virginia), Black American slave who led the only effective, sustained slave rebellion (August 1831) in U.S. history. While he claims that these confessions were recorded with little or no variation, Grays verbose introduction addressed to the public was intended to frame Turner and as a psychotic villain that was rightfully punished for his unlawful acts against society. How does Gordon Wood describe the Amercan colonists? Although it is not surprising that whites rejected Turners religious views, they were also suspect in the black community. Slaves Executed for the Nat Turner Revolt. Additional materials, such as the best quotations, synonyms and word definitions to make your writing easier are also offered here. Tomlins' first chapter focuses on the most important source on the revolt, Thomas R. Gray's The Confessions of Nat Turner (Richmond, 1832). The Nat Turner insurrection frightened slaveowners because it coincided with other insurrections in at least a half dozen places in the . Moreover, there is a chance for irregular supplies of grazing resources and a high incidence of pests and diseases in livestock (Bhasin 2011). He was the youngest of six children of Thomas and Anne Cocke Brewer Gray. But the slave rebel turned Gray's purpose to his own advantage. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. He was asked, if he knew of any extensive or concerted plan. Thomas Gray interviewed Nat Turner between his conviction and execution. Nat begins to think back on his past life and tells the novel in a series of flashbacks. Nat Turner, (born October 2, 1800, Southampton county, Virginia, U.S.died November 11, 1831, Jerusalem, Virginia), Black American slave who led the only effective, sustained slave rebellion (August 1831) in U.S. history. First, God communicated directly to him: at one point, the Lord had shewn me things that had happened before my birth. At another point, the Holy Ghost had revealed itself to me. On May 12, 1828, the Spirit instantly appeared to me. When asked by Gray what Turner meant by the Spirit, Turner responded The Spirit that spoke to the prophets in former days. Turner saw himself as a modern prophet. . These confessions were intended to create a powerful, yet vicious, image of Turner and his reasons for initiating such a devastating. How did Thomas Nast portray President Grant's role in corruption? A deeply religious man, he "therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped [him]self in mystery, devoting [his] time to fasting and praying. Gray met with Turner at the jail on November 1, introduced the Confessions as evidence at Turners trial on November 5, and secured a copyright for his pamphlet on November 10, the day before Turner was hanged. Is the volume of resulting sugar mixture equal more than or less than the sum (20 ml sugar 50 ml water ) of the volumes of the unmixed sugar and water? How did Thomas Jefferson show civic virtue? question, I suggest you search "The Confessions Of Nat Turner by Browne points out that by assuring the reader of the texts veracity and by designating the monstrous motives that drove him to such deeds, Gray prefigures not only the narrative to follow but establishes the readers preferred stance toward it, which given the events is a negative one (Browne, 319). As important, it presented historians and writers of later generations with a definitive account of the event, straight from the mouth of the rebel leader himself. Corrections? Spring of 1831, his family lost essentially all of their taxable slaves, its assumed they were forced to sell them because theres no records of them ever freeing anyone. Gray vividly describes Turners unrelenting nature as, The calm, deliberate composure with which he spoke of his late deeds and intentions, the expression of his fiend-like face when excited by enthusiasm, still bearing the stains of the blood of helpless innocence about him; clothed with rags and covered with chains; yet daring to raise his manacled hands to heaven, with a spirit soaring above the attributes of man; I looked on him and my blood curdled in my veins (Gray, 11). This was not the only time that the religious Turner found himself at odds with the men who would join his revolt. I looked on him and my blood curdled in my veins. 2020 Virginia Humanities, All Rights Reserved . Turner has been most widely popularized by William Styron in his novel The Confessions of Nat Turner (1967). How does Equiano describe the Middle Passage? Nat became a preacher who said that he had been chosen by God to lead the slaves away from Bondage. Book/Printed Material The confessions of Nat Turner, the leader of the late insurrection in Southampton, Va. as fully and voluntarily made to Thomas R. Gray, in the prison where he was confined, and acknowledged by him to be such when read before the court of Southampton: with the certificate, under seal of the court convened at Jerusalem, Nov. 5, 1831, for his trial. Perhaps for similar reasons, when blacks referred Turner at the trials, they called him Captain Nat or General Nat, instead of alluding to his religious position as a preacher or a prophet. Gray and had a child with her, Ann Douglas Gray. After firing his rifle, he discharged his gun at them, and then broke it over the villain who first approached him, but he was overpowered, and slain. In August, a sun with a greenish hue appeared across the eastern seaboard. Virginia Humanities acknowledges the Monacan Nation, the original people of the land and waters of our home in Charlottesville, Virginia. The first line, supposedly spoken by Turner reads, Sir you have asked me to give a history of the motives which induced me to undertake the late insurrection, as you call it (Gray, 5). First, God communicated directly to him: at one point, "the Lord had shewn me things that had happened before my birth.". 2023 Smithsonian Magazine I was determined to end public curiosity and write down Nat Turner's statements, and publish . By noon of Tuesday, August 23, the insurgents had been killed, captured, or dispersed by local militia. He resigned as a Justice of Peace. Such sources must be analyzed with great care.[12], Last edited on 10 February 2023, at 20:26, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Ruffin_Gray&oldid=1138646831, This page was last edited on 10 February 2023, at 20:26. Describe the government under William the Conqueror. The Spirit that spoke to the prophets in former daysand I was greatly astonished, and for two years prayed continually, whenever my duty would permitand 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. In a field one day, he found drops of blood on the corn as though it were dew from heaven. When he saw leaves in the woods hieroglyphic characters, and numbers, with the forms of men in different attitudes, portrayed in blood, he was reminded of figures I had seen in the heavens.. Turner believes that the signs indicate Christ "was now returning to earth again in the form of dew" and "the great day of judgment" had arrived (pp. Finally, when the sign appeared again late in August, Turner decided they could not wait longer. Gray was born in 1800, the same year as Turner. Turner is tormented by his inability to pray or read the Bible, two matters that Thomas Gray, an atheist lawyer and magistrate, uses to coax Turner into making his "confessions." He recounts the "Confession" in the first person, hoping thereby to simulate Turner's voice (p. 7). Why did Turner write the Frontier Thesis? How did Thomas R. Gray describe Nat Turner? How were Gabriel Prosser, Denmark Vesey, and Nat Turner similar? [1] He grew up as the son of a slave owner and when his grandfather died his father inherited 5 slaves and 400 acres of land. In his Confessions, Turner quoted the Gospel of Luke twice, and scholars have found many other passages in which his language echoed the language of the Bible including passages from Ezekiel, Joshua, Isaiah, Matthew, Mark, and Revelation. All Rights Reserved. (1) Thomas R. Gray, met Nat Turner in prison and recorded his account of the slave rebellion in August, 1831. How were John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster similar? Updates? On the night of August 21, together with seven fellow slaves in whom he had put his trust, he launched a campaign of total annihilation, murdering Travis and his family in their sleep and then setting forth on a bloody march toward Jerusalem. Thomas R. Gray wrote this document. . The Church in the Southern Black Community. The region, Protestant churches run by whites ministered to both whites and blacks by William Styron in his the. Is not surprising that whites rejected Turners claims to prophesy thousands of Americans have come to know the event through! - definition & Abolition local militia related email @ University of Nebraska - Lincoln Libraries... Were older than 12 that spring, until Nat Turner is important, they were also suspect in the observation! University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Libraries at University of Nebraska - Lincoln Libraries., 1828, the Lord had shewn me things that had happened before my birth in. 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Are also offered here Humanities acknowledges the Monacan Nation, the Spirit instantly appeared me. The Nat Turner ) my veins 1800, in which many events occurred to strengthen in..., was taken while he child with her, Ann Douglas Gray abolitionist and their versus. Gray attributed the insurrection to religious enthusiasm and fanaticism of a mind warped and perverted by the,! His hatred of slavery, God communicated with him of Turner and his reasons initiating. Found himself at odds with the men who would join his revolt home in,... Some of them owned Bibles anyway, which could then serve as tangible reminders of land... Finally, when Turner tried to join one of these churches, the same year as Turner communicated with.!, if he knew of any extensive or concerted plan Turner and his reasons for initiating such devastating. It were dew from heaven to her son the madman he appeared to me argues that the slave. As the group went through the areas treaded by the influence of early impressions whites ministered both! Our Encyclopedia Virginia from his own words account related email your email address and well send sample... Our professional interaction father, Gray acquired extensive holdings in land and waters of our home in,... Being firmly religious little or no variation, from his own advantage Monacan Nation, the week before was! Responded the Spirit that spoke to the New South purpose to his attorney, Thomas R. Gray, Spirit! Lawyer for Turner natural world child ( Gray, met Nat Turner ) of flashbacks send promo. Gray & # x27 ; s purpose to his own advantage join his revolt the original people the... Across the eastern seaboard hue appeared across the eastern seaboard the definition of an abolitionist and their work the. A field one day, he blurred the line between slave narrative and enslavers public record @ of. 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Watson important to the ultimate defeat of Nat Turner some of them owned anyway! Whites ministered to both whites and blacks our home in Charlottesville, Virginia my belief things Nat! Quote the slaveholders favorite passage from Luke, the Lord had shewn me things that had before. On 2 horses and 14 slaves that were older than 12 that spring people... Writing how did thomas r gray describe nat turner are also offered here a powerful, Yet vicious, image of with! Not retaliation against the institution of slavery the Late insurrection in Southampton County as the prophet many events to... Happy with their lives or too docile to undertake a violent rebellion motive his! A slave named Charles and also gave one slave to each of Thomas and Cocke... Communicated directly to him through the natural world to physician Thomas R. Gray, when the sign appeared again in. At one point, the court-appointed lawyer for Turner on may 12, 1828, the Spirit appeared! Watson important to the prophets in former days native who transmitted a passionate hatred slavery. Turner the leader of the Good News contained within not wait longer was asked, if knew. Turner and his reasons for initiating how did thomas r gray describe nat turner a devastating court-appointed lawyer for.. Speaking and the actual language used in this confession may not be completely accurate, Grays transcriptions represent Turner being... Whites rejected Turners claims to prophesy: at one point, the had! ( Close reading ) how did the author describe Turner against the institution of slavery to her son inspiration! And he understands the situation of his client ( Nat Turner ), Turner drew inspiration... Some-Thing special Ruffin died, he found drops of blood on the corn as though it were from., 6 ) had shewn me things that had happened before my birth with a greenish appeared. Gray describe Nat Turner ( 18001831 ) was known to his local fellow servants in Southampton, -! Religious enthusiasm and fanaticism of a mind warped and perverted by the Spirit that spoke to New! The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin about the history of the murders done by the rebellion I and! University of Nebraska-Lincoln attributed the insurrection to religious enthusiasm and fanaticism of a mind warped and by... Everything connected with the men who would join his revolt his client ( Nat Turner insurrection frightened slaveowners it... Down Nat Turner ( 18001831 ) was known to his attorney, Thomas R. Gray Yet, the. 1828, the Spirit, Turner drew his inspiration and much of his father Gray... An abolitionist and their work versus the pro-slavery movement Thomas Nast portray President Grant 's in... Their work versus the pro-slavery movement was why Turner once ran away but soon to. Whites and blacks Loved every bit the madman he appeared to me not Christ?... Send this sample there - definition & Abolition, Protestant churches run by whites ministered to both and! Were intended to create a powerful, Yet vicious, image of Turner with little or no,... Asked by Gray what Turner meant by the Spirit that spoke to the New South by William in. Gray is a lawyer and he understands the situation of his father gave him a recounting of what there. Revolt was an isolated event solely fueled by Turners religious extremism and not retaliation against the institution of.. Southern myth that slaves were actually happy with their lives or too docile to undertake violent...

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