15+ Nat Turner Quotes From The Enslaved Man Who Led A Rebellion
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Nat Turner was an enslaved preacher, who led a four-day rebellion to free black people in Southampton County, Virginia.
Nat Turner was born in Southampton County where there was more of a black population than white. Nat Turner conducted preaching session to his fellow enslaved people, inspiring them.
He was a deeply religious person who prayed, fasted and often read the Bible. Nat Turner was said to have visions which he thought to be messages from God.
In the February of 1831, Nat Turner thought that the atmospheric conditions were ideal enough to begin preparing for rebellion against the American white enslavers in Southampton County. He took the annular solar eclipse on 12 February, 1831 as a sign to begin the revolt.
The African rebels and free blacks at the behest of Nat Turner used knives, hatchets, axes and blunt instruments to kill American white men, women and children across the Southampton County.
The bloody African rebellion which lasted for four days was put out by Belmont Plantation.
Nat Turner was saved by going into hiding for two months after this. The southern states tightened their grip on the enslaved African black fold after the rebellion against white people, which came to known as the Nat Turner’s rebellion thereafter.
If you like these Nat Turner quotes, you can also read Lucretia Mott quotes and Harriet Beecher Stowe quotes.
Nat Turner Rebellion Quotes
Eventually, Nat Turner was found, and convicted in Jerusalem and hanged to death with 16 others for rebellion in the Southampton County. Nat Turner is looked up to as a revolutionary in the American Black history of Southampton County. Here are some Nat Turner famous quotes about slavery along with the confessions of Nat Turner quotes.
1. “Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer.”
- William Styron, ‘The Confessions Of Nat Turner’
2. “The most futile thing a man can do is to ponder the alternatives, to stew and fret over the life that might have been lived if circumstances had not pointed his future in a certain direction.”
- William Styron, ‘The Confessions Of Nat Turner’
3.
“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.”
- William Styron, ‘The Confessions Of Nat Turner’
4. “I was struck with that particular passage which says: “Seek ye the kingdom of Heaven and all things shall be added unto you.”
- Nat Turner.
5. “I discovered drops of blood on the corn as though it were dew from heaven.”
- Nat Turner.
6.
“I heard a loud noise in the heavens, and the Spirit instantly appeared to me and said the Serpent was loosened, and Christ had laid down the yoke he had borne for the sins of men, and that I should take it on and fight against the Serpent, for the time was fast approaching when the first should be last and the last should be first.”
- Nat Turner.
7. “Since the commencement of 1830, I had been living with Mr. Joseph Travis, who was to me a kind master and placed the greatest confidence in me; in fact, I had no cause to complain of his treatment of me.”
- Nat Turner.
Nat Turner Quotes On Slavery
'The Confession Of Nat Turner' is novel by William Styron. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1968. There are many such material on the Nat Turner’s rebellion which shed a light on the condition of slaves in that era. Here are some Nat Turner short quotes from 'The Confession of Nat Turner'.
8. “The manner in which I learned to read and write, not only had great influence on my own mind, as I acquired it with the most perfect ease, so much so, that I have no recollection whatever of learning the alphabet.”
- Nat Turner.
9. “It was unexpected. That's just how it was. I don't believe they were faster than us. I don't believe they had more heart or dedication. It just fell on their side. That's the reality of it.”
- Nat Turner.
10. “Like animals, glistening with sweat...they ply their hoes in unison.”
- William Styron, ‘The Confessions Of Nat Turner’
11. “When I got large enough to go to work, while employed I was reflecting on many things that would present themselves to my imagination; and whenever an opportunity occurred of looking at a book, when the school-children were getting their lessons, I would find many things that the fertility of my own imagination had depicted to me before.”
- Nat Turner.
12. “Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.”
- Nat Turner.
13. “It was unexpected. That’s just how it was. I don’t believe they were faster than us. I don’t believe they had more heart or dedication. It just fell on their side. That’s the reality of it.”
- Nat Turner.
14. “And my father and mother strengthened me in this my first impression, saying in my presence, I was intended for some great purpose, which they had always thought from certain marks on my head and breast.”
- Nat Turner.
15. “The gossip would get started...I was deeply afraid that with such feelings prevalent, our...[people] would become unsettled by the overall mistrust and lose heart for the venture or—even worse—would under this new pressure somehow give away our great secret.”
- Nat Turner.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Nat Turner quotes, then why not take a look at John Brown quotes, or Henry Wadsworth quotes.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English and Drama, Master of Arts specializing in Performance: Design and Practice
Luca DemetriouBachelor of Arts specializing in English and Drama, Master of Arts specializing in Performance: Design and Practice
Experienced in writing and sub-editing, Luca holds a Bachelor's in English Literature and Drama from the University of Birmingham, where he served as the culture editor at Redbrick Paper. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Performance: Design and Practice at the University of the Arts in London, showcasing his passion for the arts, performance, and history. With a keen interest in traveling, Luca enjoys exploring new cultures and experiencing diverse perspectives.
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