Penny Dreadful2014

[Vanessa and John Clare speak about life and God]

John Clare:
Is it not this, Miss Ives, the glory of life surmounts the fear of death. Good Christians fear hellfire, so to avoid it, they are kind to their fellow man. Good pagans do not have this fear, so they can be who they are, good or ill as their nature dictates. We have no fear of God, so we are accountable to no one but each other.

Vanessa Ives:
That's a profound responsibility.

John Clare:
And why you do this, no doubt. Helping those in need.

Vanessa Ives:
I came here for selfish reasons. Do you truly not believe in heaven?

John Clare:
I believe in this world and those creatures that fill it. That's always been enough for me. Look around you. Sacred mysteries at every turn.

Vanessa Ives:
But no exaltation in life beyond this?

John Clare:
[John quotes William Blake] To see a world in a grain of sand / And a heaven in a wild flower / Hold infinity in the palm of your hand / And eternity in an hour

Vanessa Ives:
With respect to Blake, I see no wild flowers here, only pain and suffering.

John Clare:
[Mr. Clare smiles] Then you need to look closer.