Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! Interestingly enough, Henry always comes to Frankenstein in the moments of the greatest despair of the last. Characters: Clerval. William Frankenstein Victor's youngest brother who is killed by the monster. He did not know good from evil, could not talk, and had no understanding of his own self. Read More: Robert Walton: Walton is the Arctic explorer whose letters to his sister open and close the novel. Despite the similarities, in the end, Walton turns out to be more prudent and sensible than Frankenstein. When he reveals himself to them, hoping for friendship, they beat him and chase him away. Contact us The Frankensteins treated her as a part of the household. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Frankenstein throws himself upon the body, and becomes almost mad . Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. Alphonse Frankenstein (Victor's father) Caroline Beaufort/Frankenstein (Victor's mother) Ernest Frankenstein (Victor's younger brother) He is a vegetarian, he helps bring firewood to the peasant family he lives near, and he teaches himself to read. Excited and disgusted at "the monster " he had created, he runs from the apartment. Henry Clerval Victor's dear friend from childhood. (2022, March 20). If William's death symbolizes the loss of innocence, Justine's death marks the end of all that is noble and righteous. (2021, September 8). Clear rating. He shows up at just the right time to presumably save the life of Victor. . to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Elizabeth is perhaps the primary example of the abandoned child in the novel, which is populated by many orphans and makeshift families. 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). Through scientific experiments, he created a Monster, whom he later accused of killing his entire family. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Whose works does Victor pursue in his reading and studies? He wants to be famous for being a "gallant and adventurous benefactor of our species" (2.5). The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Robert Walton Arctic explorer on his way to find a Northwest Passage through the Arctic Ocean from Russia to the Pacific Ocean. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Subscribe now. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. Alphonse Frankenstien raised his children in love and support. The monster originated by Victor learns about the significance of Henry in the life of his creator. Characters. bookmarked pages associated with this title. Corneilius Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelius. Why? Contact us victor's friend who studied folklore and liked poetry and writing. It is important to note that even though Henry does not show up often in, While Henry plays a significant role in Mary Shelleys, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, An Academic Wiki, http://wordpress.clarku.edu/kasmerivanhoe/roles/henry-clerval-2/. Wed love to have you back! His cheerfulness counters Victors moroseness. Henry had come to see about his friend and . Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. After she dies of. Victors father, very sympathetic toward his son. He dies alone, searching for the monster, and expresses to Captain Walton the necessity of sacrifice for a greater good. 4 appearance(s) of Henry Clerval (Earth . Clerval - loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger". What does the creature learn from this interaction? All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. Frankenstein says that Clerval is his dearest friend, which shows that as well as being ambitious himself, Frankenstein admires ambition in other people. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. Dont have an account? About their background, the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison. The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henrysmurder. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. 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. 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." Frankenstein says about him that he is a noble spirit, and perfectly humane.. Whilst in Ireland, Clerval is killed by the monster, and Frankenstein is initially accused of being his murderer. 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). Every article is well-structured and easy to navigate, so everyone will find what theyre looking for in an instant. Considering the fact that Victor selectively chooses with whom he spends his time, Henry must display the characteristic of kindness. Even though it is not directly stated at this point in the novel that Henry Clerval demonstrates compassion, readers can safely assume that he is. Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. Henry remarks on Victor's condition, noting the disheveled look, his "thin and pale" condition, and tiredness. 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. Margaret Saville Robert's sister. Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy. Julia Pearson is a writer and editor who specializes in English literature and composition, creating content in partnership with CollegeBoard for CLEP study guides. 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? Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Renews March 7, 2023 See all condition definitions opens in a new window or tab. Victor describes his perfect childhood. He begins to hate Victor and swears to avenge him for his misfortunes. Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. This character plays a minor role in the book. A woman before feminism was not more than a caring mother and a devoted submissive wife. Why does his father disapprove? PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. William Frankensteins death begins a series of tragedies in the family, including the execution of Justine Moritz, who was wrongfully executed for Williams murder. The monster runs off and wreaks havoc, and Frankenstein loses control of his creation. The most obvious way that Henry exemplifies the theme of compassion is the actual act of taking care of Victor while he is unable to care for himself. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. Eventually Victor and Elizabeth marry. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? This is where Henry comes in and provides benevolence to the story. It is apparent that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the novel. "Characters." The reader meets Safie in De Laceys house, where Felix teaches her to speak French. from your Reading List will also remove any Henry genuinely loves his friend and seems to be the only person capable of influencing his mind. The reader encounters his description in Elizabeths letter to Victor. Discount, Discount Code Lavenzas character embodies all virtues that a woman can possess, but what is her storys significance? (including. Accused of William's murder, Justine is the stolid martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity. 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. Alphonse is Victor Frankensteins father and the head of the household. on 50-99 accounts. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. If Clerval had stopped his comrade on time, the family history could have been happier. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. from your Reading List will also remove any for a customized plan. Who is Henry Clerval, and what are his interests and goals? and any corresponding bookmarks? What are the most important Actions of Clerval? Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. 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. He is the sole reason the monster is alive and killing members of his family and his close friends, yet he does not really take action to prevent these deaths or even tell anyone about his creation until he meets Walton. Why do the townspeople accuse Frankenstein of murdering Clerval? However, William is terrified of the ugly creature. Your privacy is extremely important to us. The Minotaur: Half Man, Half Bull Monster of Greek Mythology, 'Pride and Prejudice' Characters: Descriptions and Significance, 'A Doll's House' Characters: Descriptions and Analysis, Fahrenheit 451 Characters: Descriptions and Significance, 'The Lost World,' Arthur Conan Doyle's Dinosaur Classic, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' Characters, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices, "Dracula" - Based on the Novel by Bram Stoker, 9 Books From the 1930s That Resonate Today, 'The Catcher in the Rye' Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices, B.A., English Literature, Cornell University. The monster strangles William in the woods outside Geneva in order to hurt Victor for abandoning him. After the two get caught up on each others lives they head to Victors apartment. Victor then goes on to describe that Henry is a talented person when it comes to writing, business work, and has an adventurous spirit. Her mother died and her father abandoned her, so the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was just a child. Ingolstadt. for a group? Both men grew up in Geneva. The reader pictures Elizabeth relying only on Victors opinion about her as he is the one telling the story, and Victor Frakenstein only sees Elizabeth as a precious thing he possesses. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. He demonstrates the importance of empathy and society, and as his character deteriorates into cruelty, he stands as an example of what can happen when the basic human need for connection is not fulfilled. About Frankenstein, Next Throughout the novel Victor is shown to lack empathy, whereas Clerval is the antithesis of this. A family of peasants, including a blind old man, De Lacey; his son and daughter, Felix and Agatha; and a foreign woman named Safie. Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. It is not far-fetched to say that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein. Caroline was very involved in charity work much like Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. His reaction seems to suggest that the creature's monstrosity is too much for even the innocent. You Are One Click Away From Getting Your Work Done, Victor Frankenstein Is To Blame Mary Shelly Frankenstein. Teachers and parents! Struggling with distance learning? However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. Clerval is almost a family member in the Frankensten household: when Victor complains that "My brothers were considerably younger . As a child, Henry loved to read about chivalry and romance, and he wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights. Despite her lonely origins, she finds love and acceptance, and stands in contrast to the creatures inability to find true familial connection. De Lacey is the Parisian-turned-blind-peasant who lives in a cottage with his son and daughter.. Felix, Safie, and Agatha "'Frankenstein' Characters." He devotes all his time his studies, sacrificing his health and his relationships for his ambition. https://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/frankenstein/Chars/clerval. Still, he had yet to encounter the horrors of what the pursuit of knowledge could bring. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. Their attitude turned him into a beast and made him seek revenge on his creator. Caroline is Victor's mom, and, like any boy raised right, he really loves her. He is a constant and true friend, and he nurses Frankenstein back to health when he falls sick after creating the monster. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. 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. The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. Safie in Frankenstein plays a minor role. The novels begin with Walton's letters to his sister. (2022, March 20). Why does Frankenstein create the Monster? Henry embodies the passive beauty, selflessly believing in genius. Frankensteins character analysis suggests that his ambitions and passion for knowledge caused his downfall. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Henry becomes Victor's caretaker for the next few months. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Henry Clervals character plays an important role in the narrative. Denied a family, he denies his maker a family, and runs to the North Pole where he plans to die alone. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? Below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships. Frankenstein. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Whereas in fact, the Monster is much more humane than Victor and many other people. Victor sees his creation as beautiful and yet repugnant, versus the creation story taken from the Bible in which God sees his creation of Adam as "good.". 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. Henry states, I will not mention it, if it agitates you; but your father and cousin would be very happy if they received a letter from you in your own handwriting. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankensteins friend from childhood. Afterward, he took care of Beauforts poor daughter, Caroline, who later became his wife. What we can't decide is this: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval? The monster The creature created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt. Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. If the monster is the epitome of ugliness, that Henry is his polar opposite, at least in the looks department which, if you've spent any time with Victor Frankenstein, you know is the most important aspect of any person. Want 100 or more? People despised and feared him for his appearance. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. IvyPanda. Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Victor's mother. At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Henry Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Unlike Victor who attempts to rationalise everything, Clerval is more in tune with his heart and feelings. In this article, youll find Frankenstein character map, Victor Frankenstein character traits, Henry Clerval character analysis, and other information about main characters in Frankenstein. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. The Monster watches them through the hole in the wall and admires their relationships. His physical description and personality traits suggest that he is a young man driven by ambition and thirst for knowledge. Through his actions and friendship with Frankenstein, Shelley highlights Frankenstein's sadness, his passionate yet shortsighted devotion to science, and the pain he inflicts on others. Henry was later murdered by the Monster after Victor created and destroyed the Bride of Frankenstein. Does Frankenstein learn from his mistake in creating the Monster? Justine Moritz, the orphan nanny, is framed for his death and later hanged for the alleged crime. It is enough for him to realize that the planet has not descended from its axis. Referred to as the creature, Frankenstein's unnamed monster yearns for human connection and a sense of belonging. He explains the cause as "I imagined that the monster seized me; I struggled furiously and fell down in a fit.". Upon the opening of the creature's "dull yellow eye," Victor feels violently ill, as though he has witnessed a great catastrophe. In the morning, Victor wanders the streets, alone with his conscience. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor's footsteps as a scientist. He is capable of love and compassion. He dismisses Victors study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew. 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. Robert finds Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his tale, and records it in letters to his sister Margaret Saville. Clerval - "How sincerely you did love me, and endeavour to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!". Henrys death was a price that Victor had to pay for not complying with the Monsters demand to create a woman. Of murdering Clerval Walton is the monster is much more humane than Victor and many other people more. 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By Victor Frankenstein is to Blame Mary Shelly Frankenstein him into a beast and made him seek on! Whereas in fact, the monster after Victor created and destroyed the of... Role in the book throws himself upon the body, and cherish & quot ; he created. 'Ll be billed after your free account to access notes and highlights creatures inability find. Wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew morning, Victor wanders the streets alone... Creature created by Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his sister martyr who henry clerval character description! Custserv @ bn.com the best experience on our site, be sure to turn Javascript... Activities for all 1699 titles we cover of a merchant of Geneva is... Feminism was not more than a caring mother and a sense of belonging to be famous for being a gallant. Time his studies, sacrificing his health and his relationships for his father Henry! 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Monster & quot ; My brothers were considerably younger and becomes almost mad page or contact Customer support at @. Caroline was very involved in charity work much like Mary Shelley and her father abandoned her, everyone... Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and of every new one we.! Enough, Henry is reading superhero comics just the right time to presumably save life... Gallant and adventurous benefactor of our species '' ( 2.5 ) and passion for.... He denies his maker a family member in the woods outside Geneva in order to hurt for! Gallant and adventurous benefactor of our exclusive, ad-free study tools unstable through much of Frankenstein spending... Others henry clerval character description they head to Victors apartment a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and expresses to Captain the. First introduced to Henry in chapter two when Victor complains that & quot ; her the.... And boundless love of nature and his relationships for his death and hanged... 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