About their background, the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison. Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. Removing #book# Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? 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. Book Title: Essential Monster Of Frankenstein Volume 1 TPB. 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. However, his personality traits would not be so significant if they did not serve as a foil to demonstrate Frankensteins shortcomings. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Victor states, It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. 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. Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? 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?. De Lacey is the Parisian-turned-blind-peasant who lives in a cottage with his son and daughter.. Felix, Safie, and Agatha PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Clerval is first described as a boy who loved "enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake." Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. In this article, youll find Frankenstein character map, Victor Frankenstein character traits, Henry Clerval character analysis, and other information about main characters in Frankenstein. Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. The family is comprised of the old, blind father De Lacey, his son Felix, and his daughter Agatha. He shares a primary trait with Frankenstein: the desire to achieve glory through scientific discoveries. Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. Our literature guides will become an irreplaceable helper in discovering and deep studying of the most renowned written works. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. Describing her appearance and personality, Mary Shelley often uses elements of divine nature sanity soul, living spirit of love, celestial eyes. Such representations go along with how the role of a woman was understood back then. Caroline Frankenstein is Alphonses wife and Victors mother. A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. Characters. The creature longs to live with them, but when he reveals himself to the peasants, they drive him away out of terror. This depiction connects Clerval with romanticism. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Other characters serve to reinforce the importance of community. He dismisses Victors study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Clerval dies an innocent man whose devotion to his . 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! He was passionate about human relationships and art. Victors father, very sympathetic toward his son. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. Henry Clerval He loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake. Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. Sometimes it can end up there. Victors friend. The reader has to sense the significance of Henry in chapter five. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein's closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. 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." Unlike Victor who attempts to rationalise everything, Clerval is more in tune with his heart and feelings. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? | She disobeyed her father by refusing to return to Turkey. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. (Click the character infographic to download.). Thus, the creature is a complicated antagonisthe is a murderer and a monster, but he began his life as a compassionate, misunderstood soul searching for love. His temper is noble, humane and generous. on 50-99 accounts. In the 1931 version of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein the creator of the monster is named, Henry Frankenstein. A woman before feminism was not more than a caring mother and a devoted submissive wife. 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. The long descriptions of weather and location in Frankenstein are merely a trend of the time period and have no literary significance. Victor states, This was the commencement of a nervous fever, which confined me for several months. This character plays a minor role in the book. During his journey to the North Pole, Robert writes letters to his sister. Unlike Victor, from early childhood, he was not interested in science. He is fascinated with science. He befriends Henry Clerval, a Romantic character, who becomes his life-long pal. In the Gothic sense, Victor relates to the Mariner's isolation and fear. Henry Clerval in Frankenstein Henry is Victor's best friend who looks after him when he is ill and accompanies him to England. 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. He grew up in a prosperous Swiss family, surrounded by love and care. Despite the similarities, in the end, Walton turns out to be more prudent and sensible than Frankenstein. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victors story. Rate this book. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. He shows up at just the right time to presumably save the life of Victor. If only Victor shared his secret with Clerval, many of the following tragedies could have been avoided. Unlike other children, he did not want to spend time on entertainment. Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. Clerval serves as Victor's guiding light throughout Frankenstein, selflessly helping Victor but never prodding him to reveal his secrets. Along with getting an understanding of what love and care are, he learns to read and speak the language. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. He dedicated his entire life to caring about others. Big mistake. Read an in-depth analysis of Elizabeth Lavenza. His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. If Henry lacked this it would be very unlikely that Victor would want to be so close to him. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Why doesn't he keep Victor from creating a murderous monster? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219. Victor also says that he had frequent relapses (Shelley 39). Victor describes his perfect childhood. A professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt. 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. Alphonses letters to Victor are full of concerns about Victors health and well-being. He nurses him when Victor is ill, supports him when he is lost, and accompanies him to England. Youre in the right place! ThoughtCo, Sep. 8, 2021, thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219. New York: Dover Publications, 1994. On her wedding night, the Monster murders her. Lavenzas character embodies all virtues that a woman can possess, but what is her storys significance? Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. Henry was later murdered by the Monster after Victor created and destroyed the Bride of Frankenstein. A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. Alphonse is Victor Frankensteins father and the head of the household. At this point Henry Clerval arrives in Ingolstadt. They serve as an example of a makeshift family, dealing with loss and hardship but finding happiness in each others companionship. Alphonse Frankensteins character is an embodiment of the importance of family ties, which he valued above all. 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. But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. When he reveals himself to them, hoping for friendship, they beat him and chase him away. Henry advises Victor to write home, as a letter had recently arrived from his family in Geneva. 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. Dont have an account? Victor states, but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account (Shelley 38). Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. How does the Monster learn to speak and read? He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. In chapter two readers learn that Victor liked to be alone with the exception of his family and one friend, Henry. Victor, unlike his father, did not value family connections and, though unwillingly, sacrificed them to his own glory. Why does Frankenstein create the Monster? Provide at least two ways that they have contrasting attitudes or desires. With Waltons letters, Frankensteins narrative begins and ends. (one code per order). After Victor had created his monster and fled into the woods, Henry found his friend and nursed him back to health and broke the news to Victor that his brother William Frankenstein had been murdered. Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. Both go to university but Clerval makes a discovery about colonialism and man, rather than pushing beyond man like Victor. The monster learns how to speak and interact by observing them. Seeking revenge on the creature he gave life to, Victor turns into a monster himself. Victors youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family. This section contains thematic guides on a variety of literary pieces. Removing #book# Both men are drawn to danger and hardship, in a spirit of adventure. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. These ideas seem to be the closest that different adaptations come to providing a Henry. Robert finds Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his tale, and records it in letters to his sister Margaret Saville. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = (Shelley 39). Interestingly enough, Henry always comes to Frankenstein in the moments of the greatest despair of the last. Excited and disgusted at "the monster" he had created, he runs from the apartment. She is a champion for the poor and underpriviledged. With time, such seemingly positive character traits as curiosity and love of science turned into a real madness, as Frankenstein became obsessed with the idea of creating a living creature from a dead matter. Once Victor is back to normal, or at least healthy, he and Henry set out to leave for their hometown, Geneva. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victors footsteps as a scientist. Read More: Robert Walton: Walton is the Arctic explorer whose letters to his sister open and close the novel. 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. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." However, in trying to create a being in the mold of man, he fashions a hideous monster. Henry Clerval plays an important role in Frankenstein by acting as a foil to Victor Frankenstein himself. This draws a parallel between Clerval and Victor - this description could have placed on Victor and it would have fitted. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. 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