Reading on the plane to Phoenix, AZ Wed 2/1/12 These are notes that I wrote on the plane, and transcribed on my laptop at Pineaire Drive.
Finished the novel, Sunday, 2/19/12 The book club meets tomorrow at noon.
My posting on GOODREADS
A gripping and multifaceted tale that contained many interesting and compelling observations. It was very curious that both the slave, Nat Turner, and his owners were Christian, and each used the bible to support their points of view. Nat found justification for armed and violent revolt in the bible, and the slave owners found a defense of slavery within the pages of the same holy book. Also, the novel forces the reader to realize just how astonishing it was that so few slave uprisings occurred in the American South, and emphasizes how psychologically toxic the institution of slavery really was. The fact that a human was denied any sort of compensation for his labor was bad, but the fact that he was robbed of all hope was much more egregious.
My only qualm was that I felt that Styron's writing style was a bit too difficult. It might have been a better approach to refer to Thomas Gray's 1831 deposition in the nineteenth century style, but contrast Nat's story using a more modern fashion of writing. However, I still loved the book, but felt a bit strained reading certain sections of the novel.
TO THE PUBLIC (italics) Written by Thomas Gray about the Confession
I. JUDGEMENT DAY Gray meets with Nat in his cell. Reeks of Apple Blossom perfume, and grimy pink gloves
Nat and the revolutionaries were on the run for ten weeks. Hark=Hercules
Discussion of 'Inanimate vs. Animate Chattle This is actually a defense of the slave owners. Only the slaves which participated the attacks will be prosecuted. The rest, will go back to being slaves
p.37 A tally of the trial results (hung, let go, etc) This is also an appeasment to The North. It shows that they did not indiscriminately prosecute everyone. They only singled out those who were really at fault, but I think it really shows that the slave is an expensive item, it it is in the owner's best interest to use him. An executed slave no longer creates income.
Fly vs. Human The 'Hell of No Choice'. The fly is a 'slave' to endless instinct. Freedom from choice, but then only forced to do one instinctive thing. Negroes do not commit suicide. The mental effort is too much. But Nat guesses that it is their awareness of the spiritual hereafter.
Nat learns that Parker is really his lawyer, and Gray is just an 'ssociate of the court', but in Grays mind, "It's all the same". And it's hard to ascertain how much of the confession is really Nat's. Gray is reading it to him, and it appears that it had been compiled on a previous occaision.
Hark claims that he can 'smell' Good and Bad White People
p. 54 Nat's ownership history. Nat is presently a wheelwright or blacksmith
Hark has never really recovered from the sale of his mother.
p.58 Nat has been thinking of violence against the state for many years, and has been looking to the bible for insiration.
First meeting with Jerimiah Cobb who will be the judge in Nat's trial. He arrives at Nat's plantation with a broken wagon axle, and begins drinking brandy.
p.63 "Black Assed" Nat's awareness that he is only merchandise
Bootlicking vs Politeness A kind of example of passive aggression. Blacks affect an over-the-top servile manner which comes across as 'smart aleck', and insults the White person. White people act excessively polite and knowledgeable to Blacks, and it really highlights the difference between the two. Also, called 'Nigger Needling'
Cobb lost his wife and two daughters to cholera, and then his stable burned to the ground. Reason for his drinking
Hark witnesses Putnam and Joel Westbrook engaging in Gay sex, and this turns Putnam against him. Hark really doesn't care what they do.Putnam is the boy owner of both Nat and Hark
p73 A bible verse which validates the institution of slavery
p78 The more badly that a slave is treated the better. However, if you allow him to hope, he will slice your throat
Hark runs away, and we learn his fear of heights. They put him up a tree. I wonder if this is just Hark 'putting one over' on the white people.
p91 Nat's only killing during the entire escapade is the single killing of Margret Whitehead- 18 years old, and it seems like she was liked by Nat, and Nat liked her as well. Gray hypothesizes that it is 'Negro Cowardice' that Nat only killed one person. And, he seems to use this as a reason that the South need not worry about a major slave revolt.
"Monads" This is kind of a 19th century 'scientific' defense of the Negro's lack of motivation. Their brains do not have enough of these 'monads'
'Characteristics of The Negro Band of Killers'
1)Nelson-50 years or older, Branded with "S"(for Slave?) His present master hit him once, and he retaliated, and it never happened again. Very odd, why wasn't he disiplined?
2)Will- Basically insane and broods about raping white women
3)Sam- Light colored skin and this earns him respect among the slaves (odd)
4)Henry- Almost deaf due to a childhood blow to the head
p115 Nat is denied a bible because Negroes are not allowed to read
p117 Gray makes the case that Nat was deluded by Christianity
SECTION TWO Old Times Past Voices Dreams Recollections p. 123
Nat is 12 years old, and a pock-marked travelling salesman is at the plantation. The man is commenting about the beautiful Springtime in Virginia. Nat is a house servant, and they are being served by him.
The man learns that Nat can spell, and he asks him to spell 'lady'. Everyone tells him to pick a harder word, so he asks Nat to spell COLUMBINE (which is a kind of flower).
Obviously this was written far before the high school shootings but it is very odd and ironic
Samuel feels that the smarter the Negro race the better for all, and Nat is his experiment
p123 Nat mentions his dream of the temple again. This was mentioned in the very beginning of the book
Nat's mother was thirteen when she was bought by Alpheus Turner, father of Samuel and Benjamin
When Nat's grandmother gave birth to his mother, she tried to tear the child apart. Loss of her freedom in Africa
Nat feels a connection to his grandmother, and is drawn to her grave.
p135 This graveyard is to be plowed over to grow yams which tends to portry the 'real' value of the Negro. As long as the Negro (dead or alive) can provide a good or service, he's OK. But, he is only valued by what he can provide. The graveyard provides nothing, so it's plowed over to make food.
Lou-Ann is the name of Nat's mother, and she died possibly of a tumor when Nat was fifteen
Nat Sr. took off when a new owner, Benjamin, 'hollered', at him, and Nat Sr. 'hollered' right back. Benjamin struck him, and Nat Sr. took off. Never seen again. Lou-Ann mentioned Philadelphia, but I don't think she has any idea
Outhouse was where the field negroes mixed or came in contact with the house negroes. Lou-Ann is insulted and feels that she is 'quality'.
Wash, who is the son of Abraham the driver, lights a stick under Nat's butt when he is sitting on the outhouse.
p140 Mr Wiseman vs Mr. Attentive. Part of this book is dropped into the narrative, and we learn later that this is the book that Nat stole. It's by John Bunyan.
Nat mentions the dullness of live as a slave. There is really nothing to do, and nothing that would interest him or someone with a high IQ. This is emphasized when Wash and Nat draw. Nat is able to recreate the sign for Jews, and Wash is unable to do anything more than just draw lines in the dirt.
Whites would believe that a Negro is capable of stealing anything, but not a bood.
Nat reveals that he has been reading the labels on the canned goods in the basement, and is able to prevent the house servants from bringing up the wrong products. LIFE AND DEATH WITH MR. BADMAN is the name of the book, and GRACE ABOUNDING is the second in the series.
SECTION TWO Old Times Past Voices Dreams Recollections p. 123
Nat is 12 years old, and a pock-marked travelling salesman is at the plantation. The man is commenting about the beautiful Springtime in Virginia. Nat is a house servant, and they are being served by him.
The man learns that Nat can spell, and he asks him to spell 'lady'. Everyone tells him to pick a harder word, so he asks Nat to spell COLUMBINE (which is a kind of flower).
Obviously this was written far before the high school shootings but it is very odd and ironic
Samuel feels that the smarter the Negro race the better for all, and Nat is his experiment
p123 Nat mentions his dream of the temple again. This was mentioned in the very beginning of the book
Nat's mother was thirteen when she was bought by Alpheus Turner, father of Samuel and Benjamin
When Nat's grandmother gave birth to his mother, she tried to tear the child apart. Loss of her freedom in Africa
Nat feels a connection to his grandmother, and is drawn to her grave.
p135 This graveyard is to be plowed over to grow yams which tends to portry the 'real' value of the Negro. As long as the Negro (dead or alive) can provide a good or service, he's OK. But, he is only valued by what he can provide. The graveyard provides nothing, so it's plowed over to make food.
Lou-Ann is the name of Nat's mother, and she died possibly of a tumor when Nat was fifteen
Nat Sr. took off when a new owner, Benjamin, 'hollered', at him, and Nat Sr. 'hollered' right back. Benjamin struck him, and Nat Sr. took off. Never seen again. Lou-Ann mentioned Philadelphia, but I don't think she has any idea
Outhouse was where the field negroes mixed or came in contact with the house negroes. Lou-Ann is insulted and feels that she is 'quality'.
Wash, who is the son of Abraham the driver, lights a stick under Nat's butt when he is sitting on the outhouse.
p140 Mr Wiseman vs Mr. Attentive. Part of this book is dropped into the narrative, and we learn later that this is the book that Nat stole. It's by John Bunyan.
Nat mentions the dullness of live as a slave. There is really nothing to do, and nothing that would interest him or someone with a high IQ. This is emphasized when Wash and Nat draw. Nat is able to recreate the sign for Jews, and Wash is unable to do anything more than just draw lines in the dirt.
Whites would believe that a Negro is capable of stealing anything, but not a bood.
Nat reveals that he has been reading the labels on the canned goods in the basement, and is able to prevent the house servants from bringing up the wrong products. LIFE AND DEATH WITH MR. BADMAN is the name of the book, and GRACE ABOUNDING is the second in the series.
p. 149 McBride rapes Lou-Ann ('Uh-Huh, Aw Right) Odd scene, and it seems that she says ok in the end, but still would be considered rape. Wash and Nat are watching unobserved.
p 151 Nat cosiders "My Niggerness" as he observes McBride
Little Morning, an old black slave(house), catches Nat with the stolen book. He is jealous of Nat because Nat is only ten, and he can read. He had previously insulted Little Morning because he was able to read the canned goods, and LM could not.
When Sam is aware that Nat can read, he is happy that his thesis is correct. Slaves can benefit from education, and they are clearly more than children or pets.Although Nat acknowledges an attraction to Sam, he feels that he is only an experiment.
p156 Nat reviews his life if he had been just a 'bright house slave'. Maybe with regard to education, half a loaf is worse than none at all
Nell and Louisa continue to tutor Nat, and call it, "riding their hobby"
Scene in which Benjamin and Samuel disagree about slavery. Benjamin feels that the Negro only has the brain of a child, and can only be controlled or inspired by 'Intimidation, Cajolery, and Threat'.
Although both men are against slavery, Ben feels that they cannot exist on their own, and Sam feels that they can, and even sam admits that it would be folly to free slaves without educating them. Benjamin suggests that he would be in favor of a machine to replace slavery. It would even be better than the present system because they would not have to care for them until they were 95 years old! During this discussion it is the first time that Nat realizes that he is a slave. He had never been referred to as a slave.
Ben maintains that Negroes can only appear to be educated because all the know is by rote. Kind of no understanding, only memorization.
Nell continues to tutor Nat, and now it is pretty much only the bible.
Months later, Ben is killed by a falling tree. He was drunk, and although there was probably no foul play, nobody went out of their way to prevent the incident.
At 14 years of age, Nat becomes very sick, passing blood and is delerious.
Notes made on the concourse at O'Hare Sunday 2/5/12 around 2pm This was the section of the novel that I read on the flight from Phoenix this morning.
From page 163 After illness, he is still a house servant, but learns that he will become an apprenticed carpenter with 'Goat'.
Emmeline is raped. The man doesn't see it like that, he acts as if he is in love. She alludes to being a whore when she was in Baltimore. The only man she ever loved was her pimp.
p191 Sam tells Nat that he will work for Bushrod Pemburton for several years. By the time that Nat is twenty-five he should earn his emmancipation(freedom). Half his wages go to Sam, and Nat gets to keep the rest.
Nat's replacement with Goat as carpenter is Willis.
Gay Sex Scene. Shock and embarrassment causes Nat to babtize both Willis and himself.
Gay relationship between King David and Jonathan?
p211 Nat learns that Willis and three other boys are sold. Sam maintains that he didn't know of any relationship between Nat and Willis, and he is just trying to keep the money coming in to keep Turner's Mill
p243 A description of a slave who could read, and after his death, he was dissected. His brain had wrinkles. Some slaves ate small pieces thinkin that it would make them smarter. KASPER HAUSER?
Master Turner and the family moves deeper into The South, and Nat is placed in the care of Reverend Eppes. A grim preacher who tries to force himself on Nat sexually. Nat is 'farmed out' to the other people who live in the tiny village of Shiloh for cash.
Nat is the only slave in the area. These people are too poor, and they treat him reasonably well.
Nat says the two words that God spoke to him were, "I ABIDE".
Nat is auctioned to Thomas Moore around 1822.
PART III STUDY WAR
A discussion of his hatred of Whites.
Scene of beautiful White woman who is lost near the town square. A Black by the name of Arnold tries to help her, but he has affected a phony negro drawl and she can't understand what he is saying. Nat is very much turned on by the encounter, and indulges in an extreme sexual fantasy.
Nat spends almost ten years with Moore
p. 263 A description of the two different kinds of Negro Character
1) Extreme servile and jocular manner. Step'n Fetchit...... Bowing and Squatting, just like a nitwit
2) Extreme arrogance or bossiness Running the kitchen or whatever job that they are doing.
ends at p. 263
p266-275 Harks run to freedom. Not bright enough to comprehend the journey. 1825-Nat hears a rumor of famine among Free Blacks. Fasts with Hark(he doesn't partake), and Nat is looking for a sign from God. Weak Black by the name of Isham who had a child that died of starvation. Ishma swore at Moore, and this terrified the slave owner.
Nathaniel France-A bloodthirsty white owner (p.286) Francis forces Will and Sam to fight a kind of 'to the death' duel. Nat is alarmed that the other Blacks find this funny.
Nat has a vision of violence, and tell the crowd 'you are not beasts'.BLACK PRIDE
Ethelred T. Brantley-'sodomite'. He wants Nat to save him from his lustful thoughts(evil).
Nat asks Margaret Whitehead's brother, who is a preacher, if he can baptize Brantley.NO!!
p.322 Margaret in aslip temps Nat, and is not aware of here sexual power over him. She doesn't see him as a sexual being.
p.325 Moore dies in a birthing accident, he's drunk
p.337 Nat hopes that his revolt will occur on The Fourth of July, but it happens in August.
p.347 Margaret says that darkies should be free.
p.359 THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST, AND THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST....Nat's group chant
p.370 The first killings
p.392 Nat kills Margaret. Stabs her and then clubs her with a log.
p.397 Nat's dream of the temple. Opening scene of the novel.
NOTES
60 to 80 slave rebels killed approx 60 Whites in August of 1831
The deposition by Thomas Gray took three days, Nov 1-3 1831 Executed Nov.
Styron was friends with James Baldwin who had written a novel, ANOTHER COUNTRY, in which the protagonist was a White woman. Critics reacted violently, but Baldwin thought Styron would get it worse when he read 'Turner'.
SOPHIE'S CHOICE Catholic at Auschwitz; Nathan-deranged American Jew; drug user; Stingo-narrator (stand-in for William Styron).
DARKNESS VISIBLE -memoir of his depression
Died of pneumonia 2006.
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