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Nat Turner's Rebellion Analysis

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Nat Turner 's Rebellion was a slave revolution which consisted of the murder of at least 60 whites in Southampton County, Virginia in August of 1831 over the period of a few days. Historians have held different viewpoints about this event and how it has been presented in various texts throughout time. Some early articles produced directly after the revolt held an abolitionist perspective which was later challenged by William Styron 's work in the mid-1900s. More recent publications have since criticized his work outwardly for his poor portrayal of Nat Turner. Many writings about this topic have come to be controversial among historians and readers alike.
William Lloyd Garrison published the article "The Insurrection" in the anti-slavery newspaper …show more content…

Presented as a secondary analysis of the revolution, it was intended to be a fictional mediation on Nat Turner. The novel received raving reviews from critics who saw it as a unique take on the event. However, it received horrible reviews from historians and African Americans who saw it as a cliché misrepresentation of Nat Turner 's life. Styron was a middle-aged man from the south which most likely influenced his opinion on the 1831 Rebellion quite a bit. The resurrection of this topic created an explosion of interest in slave narratives and African American works during the late 60s. This novel completely changed the direction that the discussion was previously …show more content…

It is written by Kenneth S. Greenberg in 2004 and has a series of essays woven together which provides new information about the revolt as well as the authenticity of Nat Turner 's Confession. Greenberg is considered a distinguished professor and author with a focus on African American history and slavery - specifically Nat Turner. These essays summarize the main ideas of several readings and make connections between understanding Nat Turner and slavery 's place in America. They are organized so that the reader is first introduced to Turner, the text of the rebellion, Turner 's Confession, and finally the events of the revolt. Additionally, it also focuses on the essays in a much larger context as well as Styron 's Confessions of Nat Turner and the surrounding controversy. It is reflective of the years of debate on the revolt with the events being explored from a variety of angles. Historians appear to be receptive to this presentation of the history as it presents it more accurately than previous accounts and does not only portray one single vision of Nat Turner or his

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