on 50-99 accounts. While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victors family because Victor is unable to do so. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. 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'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. A+ Student Essay: The Impact of the Monster's Eloquence. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. 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? Pearson, Julia. At this point Henry Clerval arrives in Ingolstadt. victor's friend who studied folklore and liked poetry and writing. Despite the similarities, in the end, Walton turns out to be more prudent and sensible than Frankenstein. Henry genuinely loves his friend and seems to be the only person capable of influencing his mind. Henry Clerval http://wordpress.clarku.edu/kasmerivanhoe/roles/henry-clerval-2/. Seeking revenge on the creature he gave life to, Victor turns into a monster himself. Denied a family, he denies his maker a family, and runs to the North Pole where he plans to die alone. Chapter 5: On a chill night of November, Victor finally brings his creation to life. Pearson, Julia. Prejudiced humanity hated the Monster for his ugliness, while the creatures only dream was to love and be loved. Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist of the novel. Accused of William's murder, Justine is the stolid martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity. It is not far-fetched to say that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein. Chapter 5. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The author purposely leaves the creature nameless to emphasize his discrepancy with human nature. Subscribe now. This presents the conflict between Romanticism and the Enlightenment, but also Shelley suggests that Romanticism may be superior. ThoughtCo. Victor finds the disappearance of his monster a source of joy and falls down in a fit of exhaustion from the release of anxiety over his creation. Justines character represents the torment of a saint in its best tradition. In a distressed mental state, Victor falls into bed, hoping to forget his creation. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. The priest convinced her that if she did not confess, she would go to Hell, but what religion on Earth would punish an innocent creature for something she did not do? He's into the "moral relations of things," a tricky phrase that means something like, "how to be a good person." PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Why does Frankenstein remain quiet during Justines trial? Ernest Frankenstein is Victors younger brother. Victors friend. 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. Big mistake. 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. Despite his outward ugliness, he turned out to be actually kind and sensitive. Out in the mountains, the monster finds Frankenstein and asks him for a female companion. Henry is fascinated with the heroes of Roncesvalles, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the knights of the Crusades. His rejection of human connection and his single-minded drive for success leave him bereft of family and love. An orphan, four to five years younger than Victor, whom the Frankensteins adopt. Their attitude turned him into a beast and made him seek revenge on his creator. In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, Victor receives compassion from his family and long-time friend, Henry Clerval. However, readers actually meet Henry in chapter five of the novel when Victor has just finished creating the monster. See all condition definitions opens in a new window or tab. Henry Clerval He loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake. 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. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Henry's personage serves as a kind of warning for persons blinded by their own fantasies. Henry Clerval Victor's dear friend from childhood. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! A family of peasants, including a blind old man, De Lacey; his son and daughter, Felix and Agatha; and a foreign woman named Safie. The doomed protagonist and narrator of the main portion of the story. Justine is blamed and executed for Williams murder, which is actually committed by the monster. Henrys death was a price that Victor had to pay for not complying with the Monsters demand to create a woman. A woman before feminism was not more than a caring mother and a devoted submissive wife. Characters: Clerval. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. Clervals story runs parallel to Frankensteins, illustrating the connection between Frankensteins outsized ambition and the more commonplace ambitions of ordinary men. Why does Frankenstein destroy the Monsters female companion? 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?. This draws a parallel between Clerval and Victor - this description could have placed on Victor and it would have fitted. Please wait while we process your payment. Also, William's death signals for the reader the end of Victor's belief that his actions can have no consequences. At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. Elizabeth describes her personality as happy and frank-hearted. Grateful for everything the Frankensteins did for her, Justine repays them with kindness and devotion. Clerval - loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger". Discount, Discount Code What he does not know is how badly Victor needs this human interaction, especially with a familiar face. My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! . 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. His temper is noble, humane and generous. During all that time Henry was my only nurse (Shelley 38). De Lacey is the Parisian-turned-blind-peasant who lives in a cottage with his son and daughter.. Felix, Safie, and Agatha What does the creature learn from this interaction? Continue to start your free trial. Want 100 or more? Our literature guides will become an irreplaceable helper in discovering and deep studying of the most renowned written works. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. The monster The creature created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt. whose work does victor pursue in his reading . He serves as Frankensteins foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, characters must reckon with the conflict between personal glory and human connection. 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 . to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. . In chapter two readers learn that Victor liked to be alone with the exception of his family and one friend, Henry. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. IvyPanda, 20 Mar. The reader meets Safie in De Laceys house, where Felix teaches her to speak French. The monster, enraged, kills Frankensteins close friends and family. His feeling of abandonment compels him to seek revenge against hiscreator. 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. Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. Contact us 1. Character Description; Victor Frankenstein: Frankenstein is the scientist who created the Monster. In the Gothic sense, Victor relates to the Mariner's isolation and fear. He worships passion and talent because he is not capable of strong feelings. Why? Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. Clerval is perceptivehe's "always quick in discerning the sensations of others" (6.15)but he respects his friend's privacy and "never attempt[s] to draw [his] secret" (6.15). Walton is the sea captain and the main narrator of the book. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? Provide at least two ways that they have contrasting attitudes or desires. 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. Purchasing For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Victor falls in an uncontrollable attack of exhaustion and stress. Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. 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. 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. William is Victor Frankenstein's s younger brother. Victors experiments were prompted not so much by the desire to make the discovery for the benefit of mankind, but by his own vanity. This depiction connects Clerval with romanticism. A+ Student Essay: The Impact of the Monster's Eloquence. Throughout the novel Victor is shown to lack empathy, whereas Clerval is the antithesis of this. 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). He devotes all his time his studies, sacrificing his health and his relationships for his ambition. ", Here Shelley contrasts God's creation of Adam to Victor's creation of the monster. His cheerfulness counters Victors moroseness. He demonstrated his irresponsibility and cowardice. On their wedding night, however, Elizabeth is strangled to death by the creature. and any corresponding bookmarks? 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). As adults, Frankenstein and Elizabeth reveal their romantic love for each other, and get engaged to be married. However, William is terrified of the ugly creature. Julia Pearson is a writer and editor who specializes in English literature and composition, creating content in partnership with CollegeBoard for CLEP study guides. (Click the character infographic to download.). Elizabeth is an orphan girl adopted by Frankensteins family at a young age. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Victor states, It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. Although tall and enormously strong, the Monster came to life helpless and confused. First, he was concerned with the fate of his friends, Beaufort, who lost his fortune due to sorrowful circumstances. (2022, March 20). Sometimes it can end up there. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/, IvyPanda. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. In other words, he's our humanities guy. The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henrysmurder. | They serve as an example of a makeshift family, dealing with loss and hardship but finding happiness in each others companionship. At the end of the novel, after hearing Frankenstein's story, Waltons ship becomes trapped by ice. Dont have an account? Henry Clerval was the friend of Victor Frankenstein. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy. When he reveals himself to them, hoping for friendship, they beat him and chase him away. When he walks into the chamber, he is overcome with horror: the lifeless form of Henry Clerval lies before him. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. "'Frankenstein' Characters." Driven by his isolation and misery, the creature turns to violence. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. He suffers from illness probably brought on from his advanced age and depression from the events that have happened. The authors characterization of Caroline suggests that she is an excellent example of virtuous womanhood. 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. Intelligent, eloquent,and sensitive, the Monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him. He is adventurous and wants to be known and famous. While Victor was able to go off and study science in college, Henrys father attempted to discourage Henry from furthering his education because he wanted Henry to remain a businessman for him. And, unlike Victor, Henry has no interest in science. The eight-foot-tall, hideously ugly creation of Victor Frankenstein. 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. One could say that Henry serves as a breath of fresh air for Victor and brings him back to reality during this interaction. Although she killed nobody, she confessed to the crime out of fear of going to Hell. Would this whole tragedy somehow been averted if Clerval had been a good enough friend to make Victor confess? Instant PDF downloads. She prioritizes the needs of others over her own. Although Elizabeth Frankenstein plays a key role in the narrative, her character seems less developed than those of the men. The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. She is a champion for the poor and underpriviledged. But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. If Clerval had stopped his comrade on time, the family history could have been happier. Characters. Why does Frankenstein destroy the Monsters female companion? He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankensteins closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. There are four children in his family, including Elizabeth Lavenza, who is Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter. The monster runs off and wreaks havoc, and Frankenstein loses control of his creation. -Graham S. A young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the age of 12. 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. Caroline is a caring daughter, a supporting wife, and a loving mother. Clerval - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart". When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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.". 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henry clerval character description