The Confessions of Nat Turner, written by Thomas Gray in 1831, tells the story of Nat Turner's motivations for leading a significant slave rebellion in American history, then was later recounted by Kenneth S. Greenberg. Nat Turner, an enslaved African American, started a violent rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, driven by his personal beliefs and a strong sense of divine purpose. However, the document is not a simple account of Turner's thoughts and actions. It also reflects the perspectives and biases of Thomas Gray, the white lawyer who recorded Turner's confession. Gray's choices and how he presented the narrative reveal his views on slavery and rebellion, which greatly influence the document's interpretation. This essay argues …show more content…
He expresses, "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'," (Greenberg page 42). These powerful words illustrate Turner's perception of the injustices he witnessed and experienced, fueling his determination to fight against the oppressive slavery system. Turner's visions were filled with powerful images that emphasized the strong emotional and psychological effect of these divine messages on him. This strengthened his determination to fight against the oppressive system. Thus, it is evident that Nat Turner's thoughts and experiences played the greatest role in shaping the source, providing a firsthand perspective on his motivations for rebellion and not Gray’s. If Gray’s version shaped it more it would have been a version of the Confessions of Nat Turner, altered so that Nat Turner was seen as more of a ruthless guy than having the basic belief that he was sent by the Heavens, God, to free the slaves and provide them with