Introduction to Our Project

In approaching this project, we wanted to discuss both the background of the rebellion and the implications of Baker’s artistic decisions within these panels. We considered a variety of questions about four themes: the art itself, religion, education, and broader impact. We thought a blog would be a great multimedia format for exploring our questions in a way that like the graphic novel goes beyond words.

• How did Baker use the graphic novel genre to interpret Nat Turners rebellion?
• What role did Christianity play in the lives of slaves? 
• How did religion influence Nat Turner as a leader and a rebel?
• What was the educational context of Nat Turner’s rebellion?
• Despite Turner’s educational and religious strength, why did the rebellion disintegrate? 
• If Baker chooses to juxtapose Turner with Moses’ historic rebellion, then what were some of the wider consequences of Turner’s rebellion?

Panels we chose to examine

Interpretation of Bakers Artistic Style

The artistic drawings in graphic novels has to be one of the most interesting and important elements in this particular style of storytelling. It is important because it adds that second dimension to the story. Instead of making all the visual action happen within the reader’s imagination it brings the story to life with great detail. The pictures are almost more important than the actual words themselves. One can see the true meaning of “a picture is worth a thousand words” when reading a graphic novel.

The story of Nat Turner is told using many different shades of black and white. The author and artist, Kyle Baker, uses shades of black to show great evil anger and sadness.  He uses white to contrast the black showing positive influences.  The page our group chose to examine also has an interesting style of art. It starts off showing pictures of the bible with Nat reading them. As the panels progress Nat’s profile continues to grow within the frame till it ultimately climaxes with a huge portrait of Nat and a bible scene in the background. As I said before, a picture is worth a thousand words. These four panels really emphasize Nat’s reaction to his realization that it is actually possible to be freed from slavery and the graphic novel tells this entire story without words.       

Religion in Slave Life

          Baker highlights the importance of religion in the lives, education, and community of slaves.  Historical evidence suggests that slave owners were uncertain of whether to convert their slaves to Christianity, but those who did made an effort to use religion to prevent insurrection or questions of authority.  Makungu Akinyela, a professor of African American Studies, points out that preachers focused on parts of the bible which encouraged loyalty to one’s master, while ignoring stories of the Israelites’ liberation or the compassion of Jesus.  Despite legal restrictions and a lack of biblical literacy among many slaves, Christianity helped the slaves develop a sense of community, particularly by adapting the African tradition of oral storytelling to the stories of the bible.  The power of religion in the slave community became even more pronounced when educated religious leaders, such as Nat Turner, began to encourage the slaves to embrace the liberation, compassion, and salvation which Christianity promises.

"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves"  Leviticus 25:44 (New International Version)

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ"  Ephesians 6:5 (New International Version)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery"  Galatians 5:1 (New International Version)

The first passage from Leviticus was used to legally and morally justify slavery.  The two other passages offer an example of what parts of the bible white preachers would include and exclude from their ministry to slave congregations.