The Many Incarnations of Nat Turner

Near the end of her comprehensive study of literary portrayals of Nat Turner and the Southampton slave revolt of 18 31, Mary Kemp Davis sums up her argument thus: "Styron 'signifies' upon Drewry's Nat Turner; Sherley Anne Williams upon Styron's Nat Turner; Mary Spear Tiernan upon G. P. R. James's Nat Turner; Pauline Bouve upon Harriet Beecher Stowe's Nat Turner; and Daniel Panger, like each of the novelists surveyed here, upon Thomas Ruffin Gray's Nat Turner, and perhaps what he had glimpsed of Styron's Nat Turner in Harper's magazine. This signi fying chain threatens to extend into infinity. And well it should" (278 ? 279). As the list suggests, Nat Turner has intrigued many writers, and Mary Kemp Davis is no exception. Her study carefully traces the development of Nat Turner as a literary figure and an historical enigma. The Southampton, Virginia slave insurrection lasted for two days in late August, 18 31 and resulted in the deaths of approximately fifty-seven whites, mosdy women and children. The event triggered widespread panic throughout Virginia and spread to most other slaveholding states as well. Twenty slaves received the death penalty for their participation in the revolt, and scores of others were put to death by whites seeking ret ribution. Turner himself, who remained at large for ten weeks, was sent to the gallows on November 11, 18 31. The exact nature of the event is . difficult to define. What motivated Nat Turner and his small band of fol