Angry Ghosts Resources

Inspiration for your own angry ghost poem

This summer I’m running a competition for people to write their own angry ghost poem. Click here for details.

Below are some examples of people I think would make a good angry ghost. You can use any of these or think of your own historical figure.

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, Portrait, Theoretician Physician

Angry that people blame scientists for the atomic bomb.

Emily Pankhurst

Angry that so many modern women choose not to vote.

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Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell. (1599-1658) on engraving from the 1800s. English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a stock photography

Angry about the way people celebrate Christmas.

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Top Tips

  1. Read a range of poetry to inspire you
  2. Research your chosen person (I recommend starting with Wikipedia and YouTube)
  3. Imagine yourself as that person.
  4. Think about why they are angry.
  5. Think about who they might be angry at and direct your poem at them
  6. Write a first draft
  7. Edit and polish

Good Luck

If you’re still feeling stuck, here are some other characters you could write about

Robin Hood

Angry that most of Sherwood Forest has been cut down

Shaka Zulu

Angry that people don’t love their mothers enough

Jane Austen

Angry that she never got properly paid for her novels

Vincent Van Gogh

Angry that people only appreciated his art after he died

Lady Jane Grey

Angry that she was only queen for nine days