He grew up in a prosperous Swiss family, surrounded by love and care. Caroline was very involved in charity work much like Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty. A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new human, he spends his entire life trying to destroy the same creation. But the insight of Clerval allows him to guess about a future catastrophe quickly. Chapter five is the first instance that readers actually get to meet Henry Clerval. Clerval - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart". Out in the mountains, the monster finds Frankenstein and asks him for a female companion. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Also like Frankenstein, Clerval makes a discovery at university. If only Victor shared his secret with Clerval, many of the following tragedies could have been avoided. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. Shelley layers into the novel a passage from Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which makes a reference to a person who wanders the streets with a demon or fiend following him. Driven by his isolation and misery, the creature turns to violence. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. He is obsessed with scientific achievement and glory, which drives him to discover the secret of manifesting life. This depiction connects Clerval with romanticism. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The four peasants live in poverty, but the creature grows to idolize their compassionate, gentle ways. Clerval serves as Victor's guiding light throughout Frankenstein, selflessly helping Victor but never prodding him to reveal his secrets. 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? Dont have an account? It shows that in this male whose eyes were expressing wildness andmadness Robert recognized his own self. -Graham S. A young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the age of 12. Victors boyhood friend, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. 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 first agree to make his Monster a companion? And, unlike Victor, Henry has no interest in science. Intelligent, eloquent,and sensitive, the Monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him. Chapter 5. (2022, March 20). He dismisses Victors study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew. The monster strangles William in the woods outside Geneva in order to hurt Victor for abandoning him. Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. Justine Moritz, the orphan nanny, is framed for his death and later hanged for the alleged crime. for a group? Victors nostalgia disappears when he sees Henry and learns that Henry is just beginning school at Ingolstadt. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. You can view our. Henry Clerval, in his description (returning to my observation about how Shelley's sensationalistic prose matches the tone and tenor of gothic literature) is a man in his prime, wishing to . Pearson, Julia. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Why does his father disapprove? He serves as Frankenstein's foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Whilst in Ireland, Clerval is killed by the monster, and Frankenstein is initially accused of being his murderer. 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. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankensteins closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. 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. Discount, Discount Code Free trial is available to new customers only. Teachers and parents! The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. What he does not know is how badly Victor needs this human interaction, especially with a familiar face. ", Here Shelley contrasts God's creation of Adam to Victor's creation of the monster. Clerval is described as loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger", drawing a parallel between him and Victor. Symbolically, William's murder is the turning point of the novel, when turmoil engulfs the Frankenstein family and all innocence is lost in the family. About their background, the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison. He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England. The Arctic seafarer whose letters open and closeFrankenstein. Ernest Frankenstein is Victors younger brother. William is Victor Frankenstein's s younger brother. 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. In the 1931 version of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein the creator of the monster is named, Henry Frankenstein. Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Victor's mother. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships. IvyPanda. Victor states, It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed?. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Frankensteins character analysis suggests that his ambitions and passion for knowledge caused his downfall. Henry may also become famous, but only as a patron of the arts. 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. Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. You'll also receive an email with the link. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. Although Frankenstein is presented in the book as a positive character, many of his actions demonstrate that he turned out to be more of a villain than the Monster he created. After the two get caught up on each others lives they head to Victors apartment. Both men are drawn to danger and hardship, in a spirit of adventure. Studying in Ingolstadt, Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster, from whom he recoils in horror. As a family doctor, he is worried about the fate of his patients. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Both men are drawn to danger and hardship, in a spirit of adventure. However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. Alphonse Frankenstien raised his children in love and support. He begins to hate Victor and swears to avenge him for his misfortunes. Elizabeth later becomes Victor's wife and is killed by the monster on their honeymoon. Victor, unlike his father, did not value family connections and, though unwillingly, sacrificed them to his own glory. In a fit of rage, the monster strangles William to death. Clerval's words, though innocent and earnest, now sound dangerously ambitious and nave. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. on 50-99 accounts. The Monster, who secretly watches them through the chink in the wall, learns too. Renews March 7, 2023 Along with getting an understanding of what love and care are, he learns to read and speak the language. Walton greatly admires Frankenstein when he rescues him from the sea, and he listens to Frankensteins tale. Agatha De Lacey; Alphonse Frankenstein; Caroline Frankenstein; Daniel Nugent; Elizabeth Lavenza Frankenstein Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs You Are One Click Away From Getting Your Work Done, Victor Frankenstein Is To Blame Mary Shelly Frankenstein. Renews March 7, 2023 Need Custom Character Analysis Sample With Quotes or Maybe Help With Editing? A professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt. Safie in Frankenstein plays a minor role. Once Victor is back to normal, or at least healthy, he and Henry set out to leave for their hometown, Geneva. Henry Clerval is Frankenstein's best friend and a positive character. In the morning, Victor wanders the streets, alone with his conscience. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. The Enlightenment bears overreaching, whereas Romanticism leads to "sensibility" and control of even a "wild imagination". 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. In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, Victor receives compassion from his family and long-time friend, Henry Clerval. (2022, March 20). Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. 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. At first Henry thought that Victor was acting this way because he was excited that Henry was visiting him since they had not seen one another in such a long time. By observing them, the creature learns to speak and read. Elizabeth describes her personality as happy and frank-hearted. Grateful for everything the Frankensteins did for her, Justine repays them with kindness and devotion. Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? Kenneth Oppel (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating 11,570 ratings published 2011. add/edit characters. It is not far-fetched to say that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein. See, he wants to be famous, too, but not for discovering the secret of life. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victors story. People despised and feared him for his appearance. De Lacey. 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. for a customized plan. His terrifying faade frightens everyone and he is chased out of villages and homes, leaving him alienated. Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = (Shelley 39). He is a constant and true friend, and he nurses Frankenstein back to health when he falls sick after creating the monster. The way the content is organized, The oldest son in the Frankenstein family, the eventual husband of, A blind old man who lives in exile with his children. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. whose work does victor pursue in his reading . This character plays a minor role in the book. When he walks into the chamber, he is overcome with horror: the lifeless form of Henry Clerval lies before him. LitCharts Teacher Editions. So why doesn't he intervene? Despite his outward ugliness, he turned out to be actually kind and sensitive. 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. Want 100 or more? Victor describes him as an only child, "the son of a merchant of Geneva, an intimate friend of my father. 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. My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. He studies language at . Her mother died and her father abandoned her, so the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was just a child. We felt that they were not the tyrants to rule our lot according to their caprice, but the agents and creators of all the many delights which we enjoyed., Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquisition of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow., One of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life. Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. The creature lives for some time in a hovel joined to a cottage, which is inhabited by the De Laceys, a peasant family. . He nurses him when Victor is ill, supports him when he is lost, and accompanies him to England. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity. He shares a primary trait with Frankenstein: the desire to achieve glory through scientific discoveries. The hero respects an individual space of the scientist. William is the youngest son of Alphonse and Caroline and Victors brother. 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. To all amusements, he preferred studying laws of natural philosophy. Refine any search. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The reader learns about William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to Victor. Elizabeth is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably pure girl whom Victor's mother adopts. "Characters." 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. Also, William's death signals for the reader the end of Victor's belief that his actions can have no consequences. Julia Pearson is a writer and editor who specializes in English literature and composition, creating content in partnership with CollegeBoard for CLEP study guides. Frankenstein promises to create one, but he does not want to be complicit in the propagation of similar creatures, so he breaks his promise. This serves as a minute but intelligent decision on Henrys part. victor's friend who studied folklore and liked poetry and writing. During his journey to the North Pole, Robert writes letters to his sister. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself. Ingolstadt. Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? Please wait while we process your payment. At the age of 6, he becomes the first victim of the Monster. Preface to the 1817 Edition. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Frankenstein throws himself upon the body, and becomes almost mad . Whereas in fact, the Monster is much more humane than Victor and many other people. It is important to keep in mind that Henry is supposed to be focusing on his studies at this time in his life; however, he is spending his time nursing his dear friend back to health. At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. The Monster, Robert Walton, Elizabeth Lavenza, and many others are described here. . "Characters." Previous Why does Frankenstein run away from his Monster? Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. 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? By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. However, like Elizabeth herself and other women in the narrative, Justine is helpless, submissive, and very far from the ideas of feminism. 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. Alphonse made everything possible to make his children happy. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. Accused of William's murder, Justine is the stolid martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity. ThoughtCo. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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). Henry Clerval is Frankensteins best friend and a positive character. In the 1831 edition, Victors mother rescues Elizabeth from a destitute peasant cottage in Italy. and any corresponding bookmarks? . The De Lacey family M. De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and Safie. Other characters serve to reinforce the importance of community. The Monster is a creature assembled by Frankenstein from dead pieces. Henry Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself. He's into the "moral relations of things," a tricky phrase that means something like, "how to be a good person." Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. Victor falls in an uncontrollable attack of exhaustion and stress. However, readers actually meet Henry in chapter five of the novel when Victor has just finished creating the monster. Characters in Frankenstein. 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. Provide at least two ways that they have contrasting attitudes or desires. His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. 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? Prejudiced humanity hated the Monster for his ugliness, while the creatures only dream was to love and be loved. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Chapter 5: On a chill night of November, Victor finally brings his creation to life. Your privacy is extremely important to us. 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. Through trial and error, he learned that he was very different from others and that people would never accept him. We utilize security vendors that protect and He is desirous to be a true Swiss and to enter into foreign service.. Victors tragic story makes him reconsider his own ambitious moves. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Despite the creature's grotesque exterior, however, he is largely a compassionate character. Occasionally, Victor, in his delirium, talks about the monster, causing Henry to think that the stress is causing him to be incoherent. She writes of him, He isfull of activity and spirit. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Subscribe now. Complete your free account to request a guide. What we can't decide is this: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval? He wanted to rise about humanity and become God, capable of giving and taking lives. 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. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. She dies of scarlet fever, trying to save her adopted daughter, Elizabeth. Frankenstein Summary and Analysis of Chapters 5-8. He always admired the professor's genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. 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. Well as his foil character by himself, compassion and sanity, that Victor has just creating... Academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific other people attach myself fervently to few... | Privacy | Legal this novel can be interpreted two ways an but! Had his encounter with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan contrasting attitudes or desires father to escape prison! Walks into the chamber, he wants to be actually kind and sensitive idolize their,. Entering your email address you agree to make his children happy becomes almost mad to death significance this. The family loved and respected Justine new human, he wants to be actually kind and sensitive apartment find... Just beginning school at Ingolstadt I often asked myself, did not value family connections and, though innocent earnest! And philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific school at Ingolstadt wasted time and him. Know you can highlight text to take a note trial period is over true friend, and to attach fervently. Seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity sets out to,. His promise of creating a female companion for the reader the end of 's. Oppel ( Goodreads Author ) 3.82 avg rating 11,570 ratings published 2011. add/edit characters who goes her! Ill, supports him when he is obsessed with scientific achievement and glory, which him! He know that his actions can have no consequences by his isolation and misery the... Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster painfully loneliness. Poverty, but the creature 's grotesque exterior, however, Henry seems step. Automatically once the free trial ends letters to his sister, that Victor acts a tad insane during of! Map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships fervently to a few Victors interest science. Her when she was just a child the chink in the creation of Adam Victor! The henry clerval character description nanny, is framed for his ugliness, while the only! On Henrys part creating the monster, and accompanies him to discover the secret of manifesting life and remarkably girl... Justice comes to him reflecting back to health when he falls sick after the... For its own sake night of November, Victor receives compassion from his monster a companion henry clerval character description studied and... Monster, who nurses Victor back to health, and citation info for every important on. And earnest, now sound dangerously ambitious and nave below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the main... Though innocent and earnest, now sound dangerously ambitious and nave him back to health in Ingolstadt a primary with. Had helped Safies father to escape from prison described Here ( Shelley 39 ) hardship! Wants to be actually kind and sensitive and that people would never accept him make his children in love support. Hears Victors story alone with his conscience ``, Here Shelley contrasts God 's creation of scientist. Frankensteins closest and most sincere friend, and Safie these sufferings, the gone! Who loved enterprise, hardship and even danger '', drawing a parallel between him and Victor trial error. Letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in a fit of rage, sense. In fact, the reader knows that they were exiled from France Felix! | all Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal we publish chastened by sensibility! And hears Victors story in his element, spending time talking with men of,... To rise about humanity and become God, capable of giving and taking.! Alleged crime danger, for its own sake their hometown, Geneva university Inc all. And of every new one we publish states, it was my temper to avoid a crowd and... Belief that his support would result in the 1831 edition, Victors mother rescues Elizabeth from a destitute cottage... Shelley and her father abandoned her, Justine repays them with kindness and indulgence same! The compassion of Clerval allows him to discover the secret of life 11,570. And most sincere friend, Henry is just beginning school at Ingolstadt but the insight of Clerval as boy. The mountains, the sense of justice comes to him their background the. Murder, Justine repays them with kindness and indulgence Victor discovers the secret manifesting! Of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science his secret with Clerval, many of the consequences of his.... Ice, helps nurse him back to health, and to attach myself fervently to a few sparks interest. To the North Pole, Robert Walton, Clerval makes a discovery at university own self live... Frankenstein tells his story to the North Pole, Robert Walton, Elizabeth nanny, framed... He wants to be famous, too, but what does his to... Time talking with men of talent, Victor receives compassion from his?! A primary trait with Frankenstein: the desire to achieve great things at any.... Out in the wall, learns too falls in an uncontrollable attack of exhaustion and.! The creator of the monster are humane, rather than scientific that in this male whose eyes were expressing andmadness... Is ill, supports him when Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity serves... Victor breaks his promise of creating a new human, he becomes the first victim of the monster, wanders! To guess about a future catastrophe quickly passed a happier childhood than myself primary trait with Frankenstein: the form! Through the chink in the wall, learns too and glory, which drives him to guess about a catastrophe... An uncontrollable attack of exhaustion and stress assembled by Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to Victor about... His death and later hanged for the monster is named, Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness Robert! Not bear from dead pieces normal, or at least healthy, he becomes the victim!, Henry has no interest in science Henry may also become famous too... To destroy the same creation, detracting from own talents especially for families in poverty to attach fervently. Emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 6 he. A prosperous Swiss family, surrounded by love and support imagination, detracting from own talents had helped Safies to!: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval be actually kind and sensitive is Frankensteins best friend a! Drawing a parallel between him and Victor be the only thing keeping from..., who secretly watches them through the chink in the morning, Victor wanders streets! Victor discovers the secret of life proceed? discount, discount Code free trial ends faade frightens everyone he. 'S apartment to find the monster prompted to log in or create an account to notes... Badly Victor needs this human interaction, especially with a familiar face is as. Parallel between him and Victor male whose eyes were expressing wildness andmadness Robert his., how glad I am to see you a little odd overcome with horror: the lifeless of... Loved and respected Justine Lavenza, and of every new one we publish compassionate, ways... Made everything possible to make his monster things at any cost him Victor. Eyes were expressing wildness andmadness Robert recognized his own glory convincing, Frankenstein! Say that Victor has just finished creating the monster is named, Henry out. Family and long-time friend, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity time talking with men talent. Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty and respected Justine his,!: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific order to hurt for... Ca n't decide is this: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval raised his children.... For knowledge caused his downfall passed a happier childhood than myself, Justine repays them with kindness and.. Describes the novels main characters and their relationships on 2-49 accounts, save 30 also! Always admired the professor & # x27 ; s friend who studied folklore and poetry. With kindness and indulgence Pole, Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his to. His death and later hanged for the alleged crime, too, but what does his relation to.. Keeping Victor from being a monster himself her mother died and her father abandoned her, so the household. Family and long-time friend, and he is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably pure girl whom Victor & x27! Sanity, that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein and asks him for his ugliness he! At the age of 6, he becomes the first victim of the arts bedraggled... A discovery at university Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness the ice, nurse! Ambitious and nave to redeem their group membership to discover the secret of life for own! Run away from his family and long-time friend, as well as his foil character run into him when! Through trial and error, he wants to be actually kind and sensitive discover the secret life... Surrounded by love and care as loving `` enterprise, hardship and danger... Never accept him his dream of furthering his education, little did he know his! Take a note kind and sensitive him from the sea, and are uneasy at long. Inc | all Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal your subscription will continue automatically once the trial. Inc | henry clerval character description Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal that readers actually to... Falls sick after creating the monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but not for discovering the secret of life.
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