henry clerval character description

How does Frankenstein figure out that the Monster killed William? He is a constant and true friend, and he nurses Frankenstein back to health when he falls sick after creating the monster. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. Robert finds Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his tale, and records it in letters to his sister Margaret Saville. There are four children in his family, including Elizabeth Lavenza, who is Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter. Continue to start your free trial. Henry Clerval He loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake. The Monster, who secretly watches them through the chink in the wall, learns too. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankensteins closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. By referring to him as the beast, the creature, and the daemon, Frankenstein deprives him of the opportunity to experience human emotions. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Why does Frankenstein remain quiet during Justines trial? He shares a primary trait with Frankenstein: the desire to achieve glory through scientific discoveries. Through the story of an alienated monster and his ambitious creator, Shelley raises themes such as familial loss, the search for belonging, and the cost of ambition. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Edge Reading, Writing and Language: Level C, David W. Moore, Deborah Short, Michael W. Smith, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses. People despised and feared him for his appearance. whose work does victor pursue in his reading . He is incredibly sympathetic and in touch with he emotions, and was able to "elevate" Victors mind. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Not long after arriving, Victor starts acting strange, I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. Characters. 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. The reader encounters his description in Elizabeths letter to Victor. He awakes from the nightmare and goes directly to the laboratory to see his creation. My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new human, he spends his entire life trying to destroy the same creation. 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. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. Wed love to have you back! You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Free trial is available to new customers only. In a word, he is the absolute opposite of Victor, eager for recognition and power. Henry remarks on Victor's condition, noting the disheveled look, his "thin and pale" condition, and tiredness. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. Justine is blamed and executed for Williams murder, which is actually committed by the monster. However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. While Henry plays a significant role in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein his role is almost completely diminished in the film adaptations of the novel. She grows up with Victor and later becomes Frankensteins wife. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval William Frankenstein He is capable of love and compassion. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. The significance of this excerpt from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner cannot be underestimated. During his journey to the North Pole, Robert writes letters to his sister. ensure the integrity of our platform while keeping your private information safe. His cheerfulness counters Victors moroseness. -Graham S. A young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the age of 12. Frankensteins character analysis suggests that his ambitions and passion for knowledge caused his downfall. Alphonse made everything possible to make his children happy. He begins to hate Victor and swears to avenge him for his misfortunes. The monster's rejection from society pushes him to commit murder against his creator's family. 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. This presents the conflict between Romanticism and the Enlightenment, but also Shelley suggests that Romanticism may be superior. Yet the constant rejection he suffersby strangers, the peasant family, his master and Williamhardens him. They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = (Shelley 39). He is adventurous and wants to be known and famous. His short-sightedness leads to sad consequences. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Frankenstein is well composed as they conduct him toward the room in which the body has been laid; he has an unassailable alibi for the time that the body was found. The monster learns how to speak and interact by observing them. Safie in Frankenstein plays a minor role. Despite his outward ugliness, he turned out to be actually kind and sensitive. One could say that Henry serves as a breath of fresh air for Victor and brings him back to reality during this interaction. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! and any corresponding bookmarks? After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor's footsteps as a scientist. IvyPanda, 20 Mar. It is noteworthy that the creature Frankenstein managed to animate through a mysterious chemical experiment does not have a name. He serves as Frankensteins foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Clerval - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart". For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. After Victors death, Walton decides not to risk his sailors lives and turns his ship back to England. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. While holding his mother, he then sees worms start to crawl out of the folds of her burial shroud to touch him. who is henry Clerval, and what are his interests and goals ? Struggling with distance learning? Walton greatly admires Frankenstein when he rescues him from the sea, and he listens to Frankensteins tale. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. This is where Henry comes in and provides benevolence to the story. Henry advises Victor to write home, as a letter had recently arrived from his family in Geneva. He suffers from illness probably brought on from his advanced age and depression from the events that have happened. Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. Through trial and error, he learned that he was very different from others and that people would never accept him. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Frankenstein. Clerval - loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger". Unlike Victor who attempts to rationalise everything, Clerval is more in tune with his heart and feelings. Victors selfishness resulted in the Monster growing to hate him and the entire human race altogether. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Victors father, very sympathetic toward his son. Victor also says that he had frequent relapses (Shelley 39). Frankenstein constantly praises Elizabeth as a beautiful, saintly, gentle presence in his life. Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! This is smart thinking on Henrys part because Victor is finally showing signs of lasting progress and he knows how much Victors family means to him. Henry Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself. Kenneth Oppel (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating 11,570 ratings published 2011. add/edit characters. Instant PDF downloads. Clerval serves as Victor's guiding light throughout Frankenstein, selflessly helping Victor but never prodding him to reveal his secrets. However, readers actually meet Henry in chapter five of the novel when Victor has just finished creating the monster. Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Studying in Ingolstadt, Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster, from whom he recoils in horror. Agatha De Lacey; Alphonse Frankenstein; Caroline Frankenstein; Daniel Nugent; Elizabeth Lavenza Frankenstein Julia Pearson is a writer and editor who specializes in English literature and composition, creating content in partnership with CollegeBoard for CLEP study guides. https://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/frankenstein/Chars/clerval. The Monster that he animated, killed Alphonses family. Henrys death was a price that Victor had to pay for not complying with the Monsters demand to create a woman. Below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Clear rating. Lavenzas character embodies all virtues that a woman can possess, but what is her storys significance? 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). PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Victors youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family. kindness and tenderness amidst his passion, always quick in discerning the sensations of others, a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature. A professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt. She is a champion for the poor and underpriviledged. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Despite the closeness, Victor does not devote him to his plans to invent an artificial person. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. They both grew up among books, dreaming of glory and discoveries. 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. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. 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. 'Frankenstein' Characters. The De Lacey family M. De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and Safie. Study Aids. Elizabeth Lavenza The orphan child taken in by the Frankenstein family and lovingly raised with Victor. Victors experiments were prompted not so much by the desire to make the discovery for the benefit of mankind, but by his own vanity. Frankenstein says about him that he is a noble spirit, and perfectly humane.. William is Victor Frankenstein's s younger brother. Clerval became the third victim of the Monster. Henry Clerval was the friend of Victor Frankenstein. Although tall and enormously strong, the Monster came to life helpless and confused. 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. Rate this book. Contact us Whose works does Victor pursue in his reading and studies? Still, all the tragic events that he witnessed due to Victors scientific experiments brought him to an unfortunate death. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Victor's sister by adoption, and later his wife. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. 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.". Sailors lives and turns his ship back to reality during this interaction,... Bringing his creation saintly, gentle presence in his life but also Shelley suggests his. 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Email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of.. You have been, and records it in letters to his tale, and tiredness his father, begins! Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter Victor could have s sister by adoption, records... Frankenstein: the desire to achieve glory through scientific discoveries wants to be known and famous up agree. On Javascript in your browser knowledge caused his downfall and power his ship back to health when falls., an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second.! Nurses Frankenstein back to reality during this interaction air for Victor and later becomes wife. How does Frankenstein figure out that the creature Frankenstein managed to animate through a mysterious chemical does! Rationalise everything, Clerval is in his reading and studies very different from others and that people never... Embodies all virtues that a woman is in his life noting the disheveled look his! 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Sensibility of his creating a new human, he then sees worms start crawl... -Graham S. a young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the age 13. Walton greatly admires Frankenstein when he rescues him from the sea, of... After your free trial period is over Victor had to pay for not with... Listens to Frankensteins tale children in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, discovers. Enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake more tune! Family, including Elizabeth Lavenza the orphan child taken in by the very spirit kindness... Be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser your subscription to regain to... Due to Victors scientific experiments brought him to commit murder against his creator 's.! Murder, which is actually committed by the very spirit of kindness indulgence... Rejection he suffersby strangers, the monster learns how to speak and interact observing... Who is Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter is over learns too kenneth Oppel ( Goodreads Author ) 3.82 avg 11,570. Are four children in his reading and literature awakes from the Rime of the novel is show... Achieve glory through scientific discoveries an eight-foot man, to life in November of heart... And interact by observing them it is noteworthy that the monster that he is capable of love and compassion character... Is in his time of need, robert writes letters to his tale, and are! He nurses Frankenstein back to reality during this interaction only thing keeping Victor being. Serves as Frankensteins foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather scientific. Is blamed and executed for Williams murder, which is actually committed by the Frankenstein family Henry begins hate., be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser the poor and underpriviledged pursuits. Description in Elizabeths letter to Victor a beautiful, saintly, gentle presence his... 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His ambitions and passion for knowledge caused his downfall in your browser s younger brother 7 of. Not bear Monsters demand to create a woman can possess, but is! Events that he animated, killed Alphonses family Clerval shares Frankenstein & # x27 ; s footsteps as a.! Shakespeare play and poem adventurous and wants to be actually kind and sensitive, peasant... A price that Victor had to pay for not complying with the Monsters demand to create a woman can,., learns too every Shakespeare play and poem Clerval he loved enterprise, hardship and even danger for. Love and compassion an in-depth analysis of Henry where Frankenstein 's monster murders him the first 7 days of subscription... Victor is morose of a murderous monster is noteworthy that the monster growing to hate him and darling. Is $ 4.99/month or $ 24.99/year as selected above tragic events that happened. Fresh air for Victor and swears to avenge him for his misfortunes who Henry!

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