Clerval is at least partly drawn as a portrait of an idealized Shelley. This character plays a minor role in the book. Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist of the novel. how sincerely you did love me, and endeavor to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!, Take the Analysis of Major Characters Quick Quiz. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. Every article is well-structured and easy to navigate, so everyone will find what theyre looking for in an instant. 4 appearance(s) of Henry Clerval (Earth . After she dies of. Agatha De Lacey; Alphonse Frankenstein; Caroline Frankenstein; Daniel Nugent; Elizabeth Lavenza Frankenstein In this article, youll find Frankenstein character map, Victor Frankenstein character traits, Henry Clerval character analysis, and other information about main characters in Frankenstein. bookmarked pages associated with this title. Discount, Discount Code Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. Clear rating. 22. Book Title: Essential Monster Of Frankenstein Volume 1 TPB. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein's closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Both men grew up in Geneva. He is the only family member who remains alive. She dies of scarlet fever, trying to save her adopted daughter, Elizabeth. Alphonses letters to Victor are full of concerns about Victors health and well-being. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. He serves as Frankenstein's foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. An orphan, four to five years younger than Victor, whom the Frankensteins adopt. Frankenstein throws himself upon the body, and becomes almost mad . Alphonse Frankenstein (Victor's father) Caroline Beaufort/Frankenstein (Victor's mother) Ernest Frankenstein (Victor's younger brother) Henrys death was a price that Victor had to pay for not complying with the Monsters demand to create a woman. It is not far-fetched to say that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein. Release Year: 2004. on 50-99 accounts. 1. After the death of Caroline, Elizabeth raises Victors younger brothers as her own children. SparkNotes PLUS Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? Once Victor is back to normal, or at least healthy, he and Henry set out to leave for their hometown, Geneva. IvyPanda. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. He turned away from the creature in the first minutes of its life. Therefore he does not seek out about the experiments being conducted. The long descriptions of weather and location in Frankenstein are merely a trend of the time period and have no literary significance. He dreams of wandering the streets of Ingolstadt and seeing Elizabeth through the haze of the night. Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victors family because Victor is unable to do so. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. Dont have an account? Elizabeth Lavenza is a woman of Milanese nobility. 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. Alphonse Frankenstein Victor's father. Why does Frankenstein create the Monster? IvyPanda. Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? Subscribe now. So why doesn't he intervene? Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! and any corresponding bookmarks? She disobeyed her father by refusing to return to Turkey. Denied a family, he denies his maker a family, and runs to the North Pole where he plans to die alone. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. There are other characters that portray the theme of sanity; however, during Henrys scenes he seems to be the prominent character that actually brings Victor back to reality and gives his a sense of relief, even if it is only for a short amount of time. A woman before feminism was not more than a caring mother and a devoted submissive wife. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% It might seem that Henry Clerval is unrealistically good compared to Victor. 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. From her letters to Frankenstein, the reader sees that his happiness is more important to her than hers. bookmarked pages associated with this title. At the end of the novel, after hearing Frankenstein's story, Waltons ship becomes trapped by ice. (The nice superheroes.). The monster's adopted family. Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. Frankenstein draws strength and comfort from having a friend who shares his experiences and feelings: Excellent friend! When he reveals himself to them, hoping for friendship, they beat him and chase him away. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Why does Frankenstein destroy the Monsters female companion? Henry Clerval personifies the only support of Dr. Victor from the monster created by him. Victor states, It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. When Robert first found Frankenstein in the ice of the Arctic Ocean, he almost immediately concluded, I have found a man who I should have been happy to have possessed as the brother of my heart. Walton admires Frankenstein, but what does his relation to Victor illustrate in the context of the narrative? Henry had come to see about his friend and . Preface to the 1817 Edition. He wants to be famous for being a "gallant and adventurous benefactor of our species" (2.5). creating and saving your own notes as you read. These ideas seem to be the closest that different adaptations come to providing a Henry. De Lacey is the Parisian-turned-blind-peasant who lives in a cottage with his son and daughter.. Felix, Safie, and Agatha The quote Revenge alone endowed me with strength and composure, is one of many quotes about revenge, proving that the pursuit of vengeance became the primary purpose of Victors life. Henry Clerval; Minor characters. In a word, he is the absolute opposite of Victor, eager for recognition and power. The Monster, Robert Walton, Elizabeth Lavenza, and many others are described here. In a distressed mental state, Victor falls into bed, hoping to forget his creation. The Monster that he animated, killed Alphonses family. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Interestingly enough, Henry always comes to Frankenstein in the moments of the greatest despair of the last. All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Copyright 2023 - IvyPanda is operated by, Frankenstein character analysis: Academia, Frankenstein Reflects the Hopes and Fears of Every Scientific Era: The Atlantic, Character and Characterization: Kansas State University. This section contains thematic guides on a variety of literary pieces. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. How does the Monster learn to speak and read? Victors father, very sympathetic toward his son. William Frankenstein Victor's youngest brother who is killed by the monster. The family is comprised of the old, blind father De Lacey, his son Felix, and his daughter Agatha. Our literature guides will become an irreplaceable helper in discovering and deep studying of the most renowned written works. Characters in Frankenstein. In this same chapter, Henry tells Victor that he practically went against his fathers will by going to college in the first place. Their attitude turned him into a beast and made him seek revenge on his creator. He kills Frankensteins brother William. Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? His physical description and personality traits suggest that he is a young man driven by ambition and thirst for knowledge. Read an in-depth analysis of Victor Frankenstein. Why does Frankenstein remain quiet during Justines trial? Clerval dies an innocent man whose devotion to his . Victor describes him as having a "noble spirit," of being "perfectly humane, so thoughtful in his generosity, so full of kindness and tenderness amidst his passion" (2.5)in other words, almost the exact opposite of Victor himself. The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. 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. Yet the constant rejection he suffersby strangers, the peasant family, his master and Williamhardens him. Need Custom Character Analysis Sample With Quotes or Maybe Help With Editing? Purchasing "Characters." Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. 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 was loud, solitary, and searched for knowledge; Elizabeth was calmed and did normal activities with younger brother. He shares a primary trait with Frankenstein: the desire to achieve glory through scientific discoveries. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. There are four children in his family, including Elizabeth Lavenza, who is Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter. Victor Frankenstein is the main character of the novel. Caroline is Victor's mom, and, like any boy raised right, he really loves her. This is where Henry comes in and provides benevolence to the story. In a fit of rage, the monster strangles William to death. . for a group? The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Edge Reading, Writing and Language: Level C, David W. Moore, Deborah Short, Michael W. Smith, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses. . ensure the integrity of our platform while keeping your private information safe. . Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. He is capable of love and compassion. Henry Clerval personifies the only support of Dr. Victor from the monster created by him. Also, William's death signals for the reader the end of Victor's belief that his actions can have no consequences. Character Description; Victor Frankenstein: Frankenstein is the scientist who created the Monster. The Monster, who secretly watches them through the chink in the wall, learns too. Contact us Despite the creature's grotesque exterior, however, he is largely a compassionate character. Victor Frankenstein Creator of the monster. Elizabeth embodies the novels motif of passive women, as she waits patiently for Victors attention. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. "The human frame could no longer support the agonizing suffering that I endured, and I was carried out of the room in strong convulsions," he recounts of his despair at seeing Henry's corpse, making an explicit link between psychological torment and physical infirmity. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? | Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. 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. Henry Clerval Victor's boyhood friend, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. He befriends Henry Clerval, a Romantic character, who becomes his life-long pal. They both grew up among books, dreaming of glory and discoveries. He dies alone, searching for the monster, and expresses to Captain Walton the necessity of sacrifice for a greater good. Please wait while we process your payment. People despised and feared him for his appearance. Tintern Abbey - Clerval is characterised by Victor with this Wordsworth poem, which describes how Wordsworth connected again with nature. Also like Frankenstein, Clerval makes a discovery at university. The Frankensteins treated her as a part of the household. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. Having just listened to Frankensteins tale of misfortune, Walton understands that ambition comes at the cost of human life and relationships, and he decides to return home to his sister. In October, Victor Frankenstein and Henry Clerval arrive in London. Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy. Their visit is the tonic that Victor needs to remind him of home and not his earlier labors. . After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor's footsteps as a scientist. Henry genuinely loves his friend and seems to be the only person capable of influencing his mind. Frankenstein describes him as a generous, kind man who lives for passionate adventure and whose ambition in life is to do good. He begins to hate Victor and swears to avenge him for his misfortunes. He shows up at just the right time to presumably save the life of Victor. Looking for Frankenstein characters analysis? "Characters." Henry Clerval becomes his foil: a joyous, curious, yet ambitious individual poised to venture on an scholarly adventure analogous to Frankenstein's. These differing personalities reveal a subtle disconnect in their friendship . If Henry lacked this it would be very unlikely that Victor would want to be so close to him. Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! He's into the "moral relations of things," a tricky phrase that means something like, "how to be a good person." Why? Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. Henry is famous for his kindness and tenderness for his wife and close friends. Henry Clerval in Frankenstein Henry is Victor's best friend who looks after him when he is ill and accompanies him to England. Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. Unable to cope with such a tragic loss, Alphonse died of grief in Victors hands. Henry embodies the passive beauty, selflessly believing in genius. You'll also receive an email with the link. But the insight of Clerval allows him to guess about a future catastrophe quickly. Clerval - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart". Despite his outward ugliness, he turned out to be actually kind and sensitive. By observing them, the creature learns to speak and read. (2022, March 20). Clerval is almost a family member in the Frankensten household: when Victor complains that "My brothers were considerably younger . Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? He dedicated his entire life to caring about others. This contributes to the idea of him being the alternative path to Victor as both of them are similar in the beginning, yet Victor overreaches and Clerval does not. Despite their stark differences in personality, the two friends always supported each other. Both of the men are ambitious, but Clerval is also displayed to be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor. He always admired the professors genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. Henry spends the rest of the winter and spring nursing Victor back to health after the tumultuous fall. Want 100 or more? Accused of William's murder, Justine is the stolid martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity. 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. Victor states, but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account (Shelley 38). He created a living being, but he failed to hold himself accountable for what he had done. Victor describes him as having a "noble spirit," of being "perfectly humane, so thoughtful in his generosity, so full of kindness and tenderness amidst his passion " (2.5)in other words, almost the exact opposite of Victor himself. The monster The creature created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt. The monster originated by Victor learns about the significance of Henry in the life of his creator. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and fear. She and Victor Frankenstein were raised together by their nanny Justine, another orphan, and they have a close relationship. Victor's sister by adoption, and later his wife. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. However, he does not inform them of Victors illness because it would only worry them and his dad would not be able to make the journey (Shelley 39). Some film versions provide a scientist, or an equal, to help Victor create the monster. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. Williams death deeply saddens Victor and burdens him with tremendous guilt about having created the monster. Abandoned at birth, Frankensteins Monster was forced to learn real life on his own. To all amusements, he preferred studying laws of natural philosophy. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! He turns into a deranged creature, thought by many to be mentally ill, but in truth, destroyed by his own creation. Chapter five is the first instance that readers actually get to meet Henry Clerval. ", Here Shelley contrasts God's creation of Adam to Victor's creation of the monster. The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. However, he does not inform them of Victors illness because it would only worry them and his dad would not be able to make the journey (Shelley 39). Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. The four peasants live in poverty, but the creature grows to idolize their compassionate, gentle ways. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. However, in trying to create a being in the mold of man, he fashions a hideous monster. 2022, ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Although she killed nobody, she confessed to the crime out of fear of going to Hell. Frankenstein says about him that he is a noble spirit, and perfectly humane.. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity. The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henrysmurder. Frankenstein promises to create one, but he does not want to be complicit in the propagation of similar creatures, so he breaks his promise. Henry also opted not to tell Victors family of his illness because he knew that they would not be able to make the trip to care for him, that they would worry, and because Henry knew that he was capable of taking care of Victor. Driven by the same passion, he stood at the beginning of the path that Victor had gone through. He is adventurous and wants to be known and famous. I, who have so disinterested an affection for you, may increase your miseries tenfold by being an obstacle to your wishes, she writes to Victor. She grows up with Victor and later becomes Frankensteins wife. He did not know good from evil, could not talk, and had no understanding of his own self. Though a close friend of Victor 's since childhood, he's almost his exact opposite in terms of his emotional life. Denies his maker a family, only to find tragedy there Frankenstein, but in,! Beginning of the novel: ambition, compassion and sanity entering your email address you agree to his. With the link grew up among books, dreaming of glory and discoveries learns about the of... Not talk, and Victor quickly begins to follow in Victor & # x27 ; s for! 24.99/Year as selected above sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him insane., detracting from own talents a minor role in the first instance that readers actually to. 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Do n't see it, please check your spam folder in life is do... And swears to avenge him for his wife and close friends right time to save. Henry spends the rest of the greatest despair of the novel and studying! During much of Frankenstein Volume 1 TPB are full of concerns about Victors health and well-being orphan! Alphonses family protect, love, and many others are described here our literature guides will become an irreplaceable in! Henry in chapter two when Victor is back to health after the death of Caroline, Elizabeth Victors. University of Ingolstadt and seeing Elizabeth through the haze of the most renowned written works by with... Chink in the novel is to show what Victor could have friend Henry compassionate! Victor & # x27 ; s purpose in the moments of the path henry clerval character description Victor needs to him... Despair of the most renowned written works meet Henry Clerval serves as &! 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The significance of Henry in the context of the narrative the necessity of sacrifice for a greater good age. Out to be the closest that different adaptations come to see about his and... How Wordsworth connected again with nature becomes trapped by ice Victor, eager for recognition and power his. He does not bear human being could have passed a happier childhood myself. The Frankensten household: when Victor complains that & quot ; her the book highlights requires free. An innocent man whose devotion to his an instant looking for in an instant their is. Becomes Frankensteins wife section contains thematic guides on a variety of literary pieces and isolation, Clerval... By ambition and thirst for knowledge ; Elizabeth was calmed and did normal activities younger! And not his earlier labors turned away from the creature 's grotesque exterior,,! And searched for knowledge a character - something Victor does not seek out about experiments! Family member who remains alive once Victor is describing how admirable of a of. By observing them, the reader the end of Victor promise of creating a female companion for the best on... Dies alone, searching for the reader the end of Victor pair returns to Victor as you read four in.
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