John Clare Research Paper

Defined as a ‘a Northamptonshire Peasant’ , John Clare did not possess the advantages that other Romantic poets did. Facing a class divide that did not want him to succeed, Clare pushed and ultimately succeeded in becoming a recognised Romantic poet in the 20th Century. Looking at his poetry, one can see how he utilises his struggle to be recognised as a poet. This essay will focus on a selection of his poetry that discuss his struggle to be recognised for his work and maintain his background in peasantry. Focusing on three of his poems: I Am , The Nightingale’s Nest and The Peasant Poet , one can begin to decode how he brings his struggles of becoming a recognised poet whilst being a peasant with little education. John Clare succeeded in
breaking the class boundaries and becoming a great writer. He used his struggles to escape these boundaries to fuel his poetry. His desire to write overpowered any struggle he faced and used it to inspire his poetry as a direct communication with those who did not believe in his writing ability.