Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Victor also says that he had frequent relapses (Shelley 39). I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night.. His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. for a customized plan. Why does his father disapprove? Chapter five is the first instance that readers actually get to meet Henry Clerval. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. 4 appearance(s) of Henry Clerval (Earth . Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. 1. But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein's closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Free trial is available to new customers only. Alphonse is Victor Frankensteins father and the head of the household. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. Alphonse Frankenstein (Victor's father) Caroline Beaufort/Frankenstein (Victor's mother) Ernest Frankenstein (Victor's younger brother) . However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. Once the two friends are in Victors apartment, Victor becomes extremely ill. Henry, proving to be the great friend that Victor has described, ignores his studies and nurses the scientist back to health. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, characters must reckon with the conflict between personal glory and human connection. The monster's adopted family. Also, this chapter builds fear in the reader, another big part of Gothic writing. See all condition definitions opens in a new window or tab. He turns into a deranged creature, thought by many to be mentally ill, but in truth, destroyed by his own creation. on 50-99 accounts. I was indifferent, therefore, to my schoolfellows in general; but I united myself in the bonds of the closest friendship to one among them (Shelley 19). Among many of his quotes about love, there is one in which he explains to Victor how from a sensitive creature, he turned into a beast, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! When terrible circumstances make it look like she killed a little boy, she can not come up with a reasonable alibi and has no one to stand up for her. He awakes from the nightmare and goes directly to the laboratory to see his creation. Continue to start your free trial. Clerval also accompanies Frankenstein on his travels to England and Scotland, where they separate. I was unable to remain for a single instant in the same place; I jumped over the chairs, clapped my hands, and laughed aloud (Shelley 38). Henry Clerval Clerval's story runs parallel to Frankenstein's, illustrating the connection between Frankenstein's outsized ambition and the more commonplace ambitions of ordinary men. Clerval is almost a family member in the Frankensten household: when Victor complains that "My brothers were considerably younger . Read an in-depth analysis of Robert Walton. Their friendship began in childhood and continued into adulthood. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. The first time is when Victor falls ill after creating the monster for two months and he nurses him back to health, but he is also there when Victor makes the journey to England. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Clerval serves as Victor's guiding light throughout Frankenstein, selflessly helping Victor but never prodding him to reveal his secrets. Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! An orphan, four to five years younger than Victor, whom the Frankensteins adopt. Henry Clerval was the friend of Victor Frankenstein. You can view our. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Contact us Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. If Henry lacked this it would be very unlikely that Victor would want to be so close to him. This did not happen, though, because Frankenstein was too scared and proud to discuss the matter, and Henry was too gentle and too considerate to ask. Henry Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself. In the 1818 edition of the novel, Elizabeth is Victors cousin, the child of Alphonse Frankensteins sister. Kenneth Oppel (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating 11,570 ratings published 2011. add/edit characters. The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. The Monster, Robert Walton, Elizabeth Lavenza, and many others are described here. Justine Moritz, the orphan nanny, is framed for his death and later hanged for the alleged crime. He serves as Frankensteins foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Contexts: Percy Bysshe Shelley. Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. Henry Clerval Friend and schoolfellow of Victor and Elizabeth from childhood; murdered by the Creature. Henry is fascinated with the heroes of Roncesvalles, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the knights of the Crusades. He is capable of love and compassion. Safie in Frankenstein plays a minor role. What's the deal with that? (2022, March 20). Throughout the novel Victor is shown to lack empathy, whereas Clerval is the antithesis of this. for a group? Offended by the professor, Frankenstein kills the scientist's brother named, taking revenge for his humiliation. Felix and Safie fall in love. He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henrysmurder. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Victors experiments were prompted not so much by the desire to make the discovery for the benefit of mankind, but by his own vanity. All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. It is not far-fetched to say that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein. Because Victor never tells him. He is a loyal and caring friend, supportive companion, obedient son of his parents, and enthusiastic altruist. Still, all the tragic events that he witnessed due to Victors scientific experiments brought him to an unfortunate death. Although Frankenstein is presented in the book as a positive character, many of his actions demonstrate that he turned out to be more of a villain than the Monster he created. The similar character traits between him and Victor and the fact they are both ambitious suggest that he represents the alternative path that Victor could have taken. The monster The creature created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. . Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Teachers and parents! Henry Clerval personifies the only support of Dr. Victor from the monster created by him. And if Victor really loves the guy so much, then why were we a lot sadder when we saw the monster crying over Victor's body, than when Victor sees Henry's drowned and bloated corpse? Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219. As a child, Henry loved to read about chivalry and romance, and he wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights. Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. However, his personality traits would not be so significant if they did not serve as a foil to demonstrate Frankensteins shortcomings. Victor, unlike his father, did not value family connections and, though unwillingly, sacrificed them to his own glory. Victor and Henry Go to England. Henry Clervals character plays an important role in the narrative. Elizabeth Lavenza is a pure representation of an angel whose love and devotion to the family are absolute and limitless. Henry Clerval Victor's dear friend from childhood. Frankenstein draws strength and comfort from having a friend who shares his experiences and feelings: Excellent friend! Want 100 or more? Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankensteins closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. What we can't decide is this: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval? The reader meets Safie in De Laceys house, where Felix teaches her to speak French. Character Description; Victor Frankenstein: Frankenstein is the scientist who created the Monster. Therefore, this definitely says a lot about Henrys character. He turned away from the creature in the first minutes of its life. This Dark Endeavor (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein, #1) by. While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victors family because Victor is unable to do so. This character plays a minor role in the book. Walton and Frankenstein have a lot in common. In other words, he's our humanities guy. The hero is not interested in science, trying to do the right things. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. His doom knocks the professor out of a rut, showing him the value of a lost friend. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Robert writes to her detailing the events that transpire on the voyage and Victor's story. In the morning, Victor wanders the streets, alone with his conscience. Accused of William's murder, Justine is the stolid martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity. Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Victor's mother. He and Elizabeth got along perfectly, though she favored poetry while he longed to unravel the "physical secrets" of life, including the "hidden laws of nature." An early hint at Victor's dangerous ambition, and his innocent belief that man is powerful and wise enough to comprehend nature. Henry and Victor return to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. As mentioned before, Henry serves as Victors foil character. Clerval is first described as a boy who loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake. Like Walton, Clerval shares Frankensteins desire to achieve great things at any cost. Frankenstein throws himself upon the body, and becomes almost mad . About their background, the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison. Along with getting an understanding of what love and care are, he learns to read and speak the language. Walton is the sea captain and the main narrator of the book. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. He demands that Frankenstein should create a female creature so that the pair can live away from civilization peacefully, and have the solace of each other. Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone? from your Reading List will also remove any The reader encounters his description in Elizabeths letter to Victor. 'Frankenstein' Characters. Justine Moritz The housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. He is confronted with a choice (which happens to parallel the thematic crossroads faced by Frankenstein): go ahead with his expedition, risking his own life and those of his crewmen, or return home to his family and abandon his dreams of glory. His short-sightedness leads to sad consequences. From what you have read, explain how Henry Clerval is a foil to Victor's character. You can view our. The reader learns about William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to Victor. Given that Henry only shows up in a few select scenes in the novel, it is easy to omit his role when this story is transferred into a motion picture. The monster now begins to take shape, and Victor describes his creation in full detail as "beautiful" yet repulsive with his "yellow skin,""lustrous black, and flowing" hair, and teeth of "pearly whiteness." Clerval is described as loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger", drawing a parallel between him and Victor. Both of the men are ambitious, but Clerval is also displayed to be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor. Book Title: Essential Monster Of Frankenstein Volume 1 TPB. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Caroline was very involved in charity work much like Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty. Henry genuinely loves his friend and seems to be the only person capable of influencing his mind. "Characters." creating and saving your own notes as you read. To be taking care of your friend for such a long period of time, then think that he is finally better, only to realize that he is still sick. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. He is incredibly sympathetic and in touch with he emotions, and was able to "elevate" Victors mind. A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. Henry Clerval in Frankenstein Henry is Victor's best friend who looks after him when he is ill and accompanies him to England. kindness and tenderness amidst his passion, always quick in discerning the sensations of others, a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. Caroline is Victor's mom, and, like any boy raised right, he really loves her. She is an angel to him, as his mother was as well; in fact, all the women in the novel are domestic and sweet. He serves as Frankenstein's foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. for a group? Renews March 7, 2023 Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Character List Victor Frankenstein Creator of the monster. This note of happiness sends Victor into a fit of joy, knowing that his creation is no longer there. Victor falls in an uncontrollable attack of exhaustion and stress. Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? The creature longs to live with them, but when he reveals himself to the peasants, they drive him away out of terror. By referring to him as the beast, the creature, and the daemon, Frankenstein deprives him of the opportunity to experience human emotions. This section contains thematic guides on a variety of literary pieces. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. I had rather be with you in your solitary rambles, than with these Scotch people whom I do not know; hasten the, my dear friend, to return, that I may again feel myself somewhat at home, which I cannot do in your absence. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Shelley layers into the novel a passage from Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which makes a reference to a person who wanders the streets with a demon or fiend following him. Release Year: 2004. He is a constant and true friend, and he nurses Frankenstein back to health when he falls sick after creating the monster. This draws a parallel between Clerval and Victor - this description could have placed on Victor and it would have fitted. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankensteins friend from childhood. Through scientific experiments, he created a Monster, whom he later accused of killing his entire family. Frankenstein suggests a parallel between Clervals discovery and his own creation of the Monster when he argues that colonialism is the work of ambitious men like him. Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? Henry had come to see about his friend and to enroll at the university. Frankenstein says about him that he is a noble spirit, and perfectly humane.. Removing #book# on 50-99 accounts. He is the only family member who remains alive. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. He dismisses the alchemists conclusions as unfounded but sympathizes with Victors interest in a science that can explain the big questions, such as the origin of life. Character: Henry Clerval Cameo, Berserker A RoBoT, The Master Villain, VICTOR Frankenstein Flashback . Why do the townspeople accuse Frankenstein of murdering Clerval? Every article is well-structured and easy to navigate, so everyone will find what theyre looking for in an instant. The reader has to sense the significance of Henry in chapter five. As a child, Henry loved to read about chivalry and romance, and he wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights. Driven by his isolation and misery, the creature turns to violence. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed?. Our literature guides will become an irreplaceable helper in discovering and deep studying of the most renowned written works. The monster runs off and wreaks havoc, and Frankenstein loses control of his creation. On her wedding night, the Monster murders her. Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. It would take someone with dedication and sincere kindness to stick with a person through this difficult journey, and Henry does just that without much hesitation, it seems. Clerval - "How sincerely you did love me, and endeavour to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!". JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Without ambition, he says, America would have been discovered more gradually; and the empires of Mexico and Peru had not been destroyed., Frankensteins friendship with Clerval also shows the importance of companionship in the novel. Frankenstein is well composed as they conduct him toward the room in which the body has been laid; he has an unassailable alibi for the time that the body was found. How fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting! In this way, Walton applies the lessons that Shelley wishes to impart through the novel: the value of connection and the dangers of scientific enlightenment. Once the two friends are in Victors apartment, Victor becomes extremely ill. Henry, proving to be the great friend that Victor has described, ignores his studies and nurses the scientist back to health. She writes of him, He isfull of activity and spirit. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Though a close friend of Victor 's since childhood, he's almost his exact opposite in terms of his emotional life. Clervals story runs parallel to Frankensteins, illustrating the connection between Frankensteins outsized ambition and the more commonplace ambitions of ordinary men. Despite her lonely origins, she finds love and acceptance, and stands in contrast to the creatures inability to find true familial connection. Elizabeth is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably pure girl whom Victor's mother adopts. What are the most important Actions of Clerval? https://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/frankenstein/Chars/clerval. See, he wants to be famous, too, but not for discovering the secret of life. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. Henry had come to see about his friend and . Removing #book# Frankensteins character analysis suggests that his ambitions and passion for knowledge caused his downfall. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Frankenstein describes him as a generous, kind man who lives for passionate adventure and whose ambition in life is to do good. He is adventurous and wants to be known and famous. Though he had selected the creature's parts because he considered them beautiful . A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. Despite the creature's grotesque exterior, however, he is largely a compassionate character. and any corresponding bookmarks? It is noteworthy that the creature Frankenstein managed to animate through a mysterious chemical experiment does not have a name. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. First, he was concerned with the fate of his friends, Beaufort, who lost his fortune due to sorrowful circumstances. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Occasionally, Victor, in his delirium, talks about the monster, causing Henry to think that the stress is causing him to be incoherent. Still, he had yet to encounter the horrors of what the pursuit of knowledge could bring. Henry remarks on Victor's condition, noting the disheveled look, his "thin and pale" condition, and tiredness. Other characters serve to reinforce the importance of community. A professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt. 20% Henrys death was a price that Victor had to pay for not complying with the Monsters demand to create a woman. Would this whole tragedy somehow been averted if Clerval had been a good enough friend to make Victor confess? Through trial and error, he learned that he was very different from others and that people would never accept him. Email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are henry clerval character description the age 13! Would want to be mentally ill, but in truth, destroyed by his own.... Father of caroline Beaufort main narrator of the household Lavenza, and he nurses Frankenstein to! 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