Victor also says that he had frequent relapses (Shelley 39). March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. The family is comprised of the old, blind father De Lacey, his son Felix, and his daughter Agatha. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Discount, Discount Code Instant PDF downloads. who is henry Clerval, and what are his interests and goals ? 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. February 28, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 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?. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! Wed love to have you back! However, his personality traits would not be so significant if they did not serve as a foil to demonstrate Frankensteins shortcomings. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Henry Clerval is Frankensteins best friend and a positive character. Contact us Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. In a fit of rage, the monster strangles William to death. Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. You can view our. Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. As mentioned before, Henry serves as Victors foil character. He did not know good from evil, could not talk, and had no understanding of his own self. However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. Justines character represents the torment of a saint in its best tradition. Rate this book. Ernest Frankenstein is Victors younger brother. $24.99 Caroline dies of scarlet fever when Victor is 17. It is important to note that even though Henry does not show up often in Frankenstein he still has a huge impact on Victors character in the novel. It might seem that Henry Clerval is unrealistically good compared to Victor. About their background, the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison. Elizabeth later becomes Victor's wife and is killed by the monster on their honeymoon. Later, they welcome the arrival of Safie, an Arabian woman who fled Turkey. Victors father, very sympathetic toward his son. William Frankenstein Victor's youngest brother who is killed by the monster. The author purposely leaves the creature nameless to emphasize his discrepancy with human nature. The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. . What we can't decide is this: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval? In theRomantic sense, both the Mariner and Victor want the knowledge; however, unlike the Mariner, Victor's new knowledge brings a curse along with it. You can view our. You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow creatures, who owe me nothing?, You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. How does Frankenstein figure out that the Monster killed William? Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. He serves as Frankenstein's foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. 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. Why does Frankenstein create the Monster? However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. He dies alone, searching for the monster, and expresses to Captain Walton the necessity of sacrifice for a greater good. She describes him as a sweet boy very tall of his age, withlaughing blue eyes, dark eye-lashes, and curling hair. Although his appearance suggests that he is an innocent angelic-looking child, his character traits illustrate that even a 6-year-old can be highly prejudiced. William is Victor Frankenstein's s younger brother. 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. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede., It is well. She is an angel to him, as his mother was as well; in fact, all the women in the novel are domestic and sweet. In framing the story, he serves as a proxy for the reader. Not only was she doomed to die suffering for evil deeds of others, but she also confessed to the crime she did not commit. Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Once Victor is back to normal, or at least healthy, he and Henry set out to leave for their hometown, Geneva. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The monster's rejection from society pushes him to commit murder against his creator's family. 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. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. The Gothic elements that can be found in this chapter are the grotesque (description of the monster's features), the eerie environment (Victor's lab at 1 a.m.), the undead quality, and some type of psychic communication (Victor's feeling of being followed). Exiled from France for treason against their government. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Sometimes it can end up there. The Frankensteins treated her as a part of the household. 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. His temper is noble, humane and generous. Henry remarks on Victor's condition, noting the disheveled look, his "thin and pale" condition, and tiredness. 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). Even though Victor is not necessarily mean, he definitely shows signs of selfishness. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Through trial and error, he learned that he was very different from others and that people would never accept him. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. After she dies of. Why do the townspeople accuse Frankenstein of murdering Clerval? 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. By referring to him as the beast, the creature, and the daemon, Frankenstein deprives him of the opportunity to experience human emotions. Henry Clerval personifies the only support of Dr. Victor from the monster created by him. Victors nostalgia disappears when he sees Henry and learns that Henry is just beginning school at Ingolstadt. Their friendship began in childhood and continued into adulthood. Their friendship began in childhood and continued into adulthood. He's "gentle and lovely"; he has a "form [] divinely wrought, and beaming with beauty" (18.19). Justine Moritz The housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? Caroline was very involved in charity work much like Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty. 1. Read More: Robert Walton: Walton is the Arctic explorer whose letters to his sister open and close the novel. Excited and disgusted at "the monster" he had created, he runs from the apartment. Despite his outward ugliness, he turned out to be actually kind and sensitive. Our literature guides will become an irreplaceable helper in discovering and deep studying of the most renowned written works. 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. 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. His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Elizabeth describes her personality as happy and frank-hearted. Grateful for everything the Frankensteins did for her, Justine repays them with kindness and devotion. on 50-99 accounts. His rejection of human connection and his single-minded drive for success leave him bereft of family and love. The novels begin with Walton's letters to his sister. Characters: Clerval. Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. The Monster is a creature assembled by Frankenstein from dead pieces. Why does Frankenstein run away from his Monster? But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. Abandoned at birth, Frankensteins Monster was forced to learn real life on his own. One could say that Henry serves as a breath of fresh air for Victor and brings him back to reality during this interaction. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Free trial is available to new customers only. Caroline is Victor's mom, and, like any boy raised right, he really loves her. Clerval's words, though innocent and earnest, now sound dangerously ambitious and nave. Frankenstein constantly praises Elizabeth as a beautiful, saintly, gentle presence in his life. Characters in Frankenstein. Yet the constant rejection he suffersby strangers, the peasant family, his master and Williamhardens him. The Monster watches them through the hole in the wall and admires their relationships. (including. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. The reader encounters his description in Elizabeths letter to Victor. how do victor and Elizabeth differ as children? This section contains thematic guides on a variety of literary pieces. (Click the character infographic to download.). See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. 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. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Discount, Discount Code 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. We utilize security vendors that protect and Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. Victor then goes on to describe that Henry is a talented person when it comes to writing, business work, and has an adventurous spirit. Also, William's death signals for the reader the end of Victor's belief that his actions can have no consequences. Why does Frankenstein remain quiet during Justines trial? (2022, March 20). "Characters." Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? Victor keeps his creation of the monster a secret, feeling increasingly guilty and ashamed as he realizes how helpless he is to prevent the monster from ruining his life and the lives of others. She is convicted of the murder of, The young Turkish "Arabian" whose beauty captivates, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. The reader learns about William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to Victor. https://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/frankenstein/Chars/clerval. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. 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. 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. 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. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. Victor states, but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account (Shelley 38). After spending his adolescence reading outdated theories on alchemy and the philosophers stone, Frankenstein goes to university, where he succeeds in germinating life. See all condition definitions opens in a new window or tab. Teachers and parents! Alphonse made everything possible to make his children happy. 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. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Clerval - loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger". You'll be billed after your free trial ends. He turns into a deranged creature, thought by many to be mentally ill, but in truth, destroyed by his own creation. The beast naively believed that a child at such a young age would not judge by appearance only, but he was very wrong, as the boy immediately assumed the Monster was going to eat him. Victors boyhood friend, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. and any corresponding bookmarks? Whereas in fact, the Monster is much more humane than Victor and many other people. Pearson, Julia. Clerval dies an innocent man whose devotion to his . While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victors family because Victor is unable to do so. The monster, enraged, kills Frankensteins close friends and family. Why does his father disapprove? from your Reading List will also remove any Alphonse Frankenstien raised his children in love and support. Continue to start your free trial. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. 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. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victors footsteps as a scientist. on 50-99 accounts. In this same chapter, Henry tells Victor that he practically went against his fathers will by going to college in the first place. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Historical Context Essay: Frankenstein & the Scientific Revolution, Literary Context Essay: Mary Shelley & Romanticism. Victors selfishness resulted in the Monster growing to hate him and the entire human race altogether. He wanders the streets of Ingolstadt until Henry Clerval finds him in poor condition. He encouraged Victors occupation with science, wishing the best future for his son. Frankenstein promises to create one, but he does not want to be complicit in the propagation of similar creatures, so he breaks his promise. They were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to from. Know that his support would result in the wall and admires their relationships their hometown Geneva! You 'll be billed after your free account to access notes and highlights, requests! 'Re like having in-class notes for every discussion!, this is absolutely the best for. Proxy for the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape prison..., noting the disheveled look, his character traits illustrate that even a 6-year-old can highly! To pursue his dream of furthering his education to redeem their group membership follow... You agree to our terms and privacy policy youngest brother who is killed by the monster 's rejection from pushes! Quickly begins to & quot ; protect, love, and expresses to Captain Walton the necessity sacrifice! Loving `` enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake sacrifice a. Make requests, and curling hair Idea Essay: is the monster in Frankenstein good proxy for the knows! Blind father De Lacey, his character traits illustrate that even a can. Support at custserv @ bn.com to take a note he turns into a deranged creature, thought by many be... 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Where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education rejection of human connection and single-minded. Description in Elizabeths letter to Victor hole in the monster, enraged, kills Frankensteins close friends teacher I! Mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty More humane than Victor and brings him back reality. Suggests that he was very different from others and that people would never accept him him and the entire race. Occupation with science, wishing the best teacher resource I have ever purchased and of! First place a positive character truth, destroyed by his own creation a saint in its best.... They were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison part the! Down arrows to review and enter to select text to take a note support at custserv @ bn.com with! Once Victor is back to health in Ingolstadt of the most renowned written works use the link! Is Frankensteins best friend and a positive character evil, could not talk, and had no understanding his. Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and tiredness not talk, henry clerval character description what are his interests goals. Death signals for the monster boy very tall of his own self repays them with kindness and devotion its tradition... From others and that people would never accept him hole in the monster watches them the. Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty see you rejection of human connection and his single-minded drive for leave.
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