The Gothic John Clare

Gothic literature is often described with words such as "wonder" and "terror.” These senses, to which must be added the suspension of disbelief, are important to Gothic writing of all kinds, perhaps saving when it is parodied.

Notwithstanding the occasional melodrama, gothic writing is typically played straight, in a very serious manner. All that is required is that the imagination of the reader is willing to accept the idea that there might be something "beyond that which is immediately in front of us."

The Gothic often uses scenery of decay, death, and morbidity to achieve its effects . Nearly two centuries after Clare penned most of  these poems they maintain a dark and mysterious appeal.

 Soft as creeping feet can fall

 Still the damp green stained wall

 As the startled ghost flits bye

 Mocking murmurs faintly sigh

 Minding our intruding fear

 Such visits are unwelcome here

 Seemly then each hollow urn

 Gentle steps our steps return

 Ere so soft & ere so still

 Check our breath or how we will

 Listning spirits still reply

 Step for step & sigh for sigh

 Murmuring oer ones wearied woe

 Life as once was theirs to know

(Solitude, lines 281-294)