Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. First, he was concerned with the fate of his friends, Beaufort, who lost his fortune due to sorrowful circumstances. Despite the closeness, Victor does not devote him to his plans to invent an artificial person. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and fear. In one of them, he describes how Frankenstein boarded his ship and retells the tragic events of Victors life. He turns into a deranged creature, thought by many to be mentally ill, but in truth, destroyed by his own creation. It is enough for him to realize that the planet has not descended from its axis. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. "Characters." Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. He worships passion and talent because he is not capable of strong feelings. "The human frame could no longer support the agonizing suffering that I endured, and I was carried out of the room in strong convulsions," he recounts of his despair at seeing Henry's corpse, making an explicit link between psychological torment and physical infirmity. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Elizabeth embodies the novels motif of passive women, as she waits patiently for Victors attention. Henry had come to see about his friend and to enroll at the university. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity. Pearson, Julia. Provide at least two ways that they have contrasting attitudes or desires. Looking for Frankenstein characters analysis? Teachers and parents! Victor describes his perfect childhood. Active Themes How fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting! He's "gentle and lovely"; he has a "form [] divinely wrought, and beaming with beauty" (18.19). Summary and Analysis Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy. If you're thinking that Clerval sounds a little too good to be true, we think you're right. The De Lacey family M. De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and Safie. Dont have an account? Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance offamily. Clerval serves as Victor's guiding light throughout Frankenstein, selflessly helping Victor but never prodding him to reveal his secrets. Also, William's death signals for the reader the end of Victor's belief that his actions can have no consequences. He wanders the streets of Ingolstadt until Henry Clerval finds him in poor condition. 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. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. William is the one who killed the Monsters last hope to see something good in humankind. In the pocket of Victors costume, he accidentally finds Frankensteins notes and realizes that his creator abandoned him and condemned to eternal torment. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Henry Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself. 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. He did not know good from evil, could not talk, and had no understanding of his own self. 20% And due to not knowing him very well, they would not have done anything about it. Chapter 5 is significant because it marks the beginning of the novel that Mary Shelley wrote during her now famous summer stay in the Lake Geneva region (refer to the "Life and Background" section). And, yes: we're with you in thinking that these adjectives and adverbs sound a lot more like female beauty than male beauty. By referring to him as the beast, the creature, and the daemon, Frankenstein deprives him of the opportunity to experience human emotions. The monster strangles William in the woods outside Geneva in order to hurt Victor for abandoning him. 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. (2021, September 8). If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Victors tragic story makes him reconsider his own ambitious moves. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. He explains the cause as "I imagined that the monster seized me; I struggled furiously and fell down in a fit.". Clerval believes he has found the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India. creating and saving your own notes as you read. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/, IvyPanda. The reader meets Safie in De Laceys house, where Felix teaches her to speak French. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. How does the Monster learn to speak and read? Character List Victor Frankenstein Creator of the monster. Continue to start your free trial. You can view our. (2022, March 20). Frankenstein constantly praises Elizabeth as a beautiful, saintly, gentle presence in his life. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. 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. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. "'Frankenstein' Characters." Henry's personage serves as a kind of warning for persons blinded by their own fantasies. Character: Henry Clerval Cameo, Berserker A RoBoT, The Master Villain, VICTOR Frankenstein Flashback . ThoughtCo, Sep. 8, 2021, thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219. As a child, Henry loved to read about chivalry and romance, and he wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights. 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. 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. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? What does the creature learn from this interaction? People despised and feared him for his appearance. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. 1. Why does Frankenstein run away from his Monster? Discount, Discount Code The long descriptions of weather and location in Frankenstein are merely a trend of the time period and have no literary significance. Active Themes Literary Devices Mood Victor checks to see if the monster is still in his apartment, and is overjoyed to find that it isn't. He invites Clerval up, but once there falls ill with a "nervous fever," which lasts for months. Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. $24.99 Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! Also, this chapter builds fear in the reader, another big part of Gothic writing. 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. Release Year: 2004. -Graham S. A young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the age of 12. Whilst in Ireland, Clerval is killed by the monster, and Frankenstein is initially accused of being his murderer. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Henry Clerval is Frankensteins best friend and a positive character. The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henrysmurder. Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. His physical description and personality traits suggest that he is a young man driven by ambition and thirst for knowledge. In other words, he's our humanities guy. Clerval - "How sincerely you did love me, and endeavour to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!". During his journey to the North Pole, Robert writes letters to his sister. Why does his father disapprove? https://www.thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219 (accessed March 1, 2023). Alphonses letters to Victor are full of concerns about Victors health and well-being. Both go to university but Clerval makes a discovery about colonialism and man, rather than pushing beyond man like Victor. Summary and Analysis Chapter 5. Not only is he basically the most perfect man ever to live"a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature'" (18.17), to use Victor's alarmingly enthusiastic phrasehe's also eye candy. Character Description; Victor Frankenstein: Frankenstein is the scientist who created the Monster. But the insight of Clerval allows him to guess about a future catastrophe quickly. The De Lacey family is a household of three members an old blind man and his children, Felix and Agata. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed?. Alphonse made everything possible to make his children happy. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. Alphonse is Victor Frankensteins father and the head of the household. What we can't decide is this: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval? on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% "'Frankenstein' Characters." Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. 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. You can view our. They both grew up among books, dreaming of glory and discoveries. If Clerval had stopped his comrade on time, the family history could have been happier. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Eventually Victor and Elizabeth marry. 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). If William's death symbolizes the loss of innocence, Justine's death marks the end of all that is noble and righteous. . Henry advises Victor to write home, as a letter had recently arrived from his family in Geneva. victor was loud, solitary, and searched for knowledge; Elizabeth was calmed and did normal activities with younger brother. His rejection of human connection and his single-minded drive for success leave him bereft of family and love. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Henry spends the rest of the winter and spring nursing Victor back to health after the tumultuous fall. LitCharts Teacher Editions. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victors footsteps as a scientist. A woman before feminism was not more than a caring mother and a devoted submissive wife. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. Dont have an account? The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! Her mother died and her father abandoned her, so the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was just a child. Henry was later murdered by the Monster after Victor created and destroyed the Bride of Frankenstein. Henry also opted not to tell Victors family of his illness because he knew that they would not be able to make the trip to care for him, that they would worry, and because Henry knew that he was capable of taking care of Victor. 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. Frankenstein fails to deliver this promise, and out of revenge, the creature murders Frankenstein's loved ones, thus transforming into the monster he has always appeared to be. 2022, ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. , the Master Villain, Victor Frankenstein: Frankenstein is initially accused of his... To write home, as a letter had recently arrived from his family, to. End of all that is noble and righteous stars 4 of 5 stars 2 of stars... Family history could have been happier Clerval sounds a little too good be! From evil, could not talk, and searched for knowledge to health after the tumultuous fall from,. Stars 2 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars of. You buy 2 or more, Beaufort, who lost his fortune due to knowing... That he is a young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the university the of... The Bride of Frankenstein -graham S. a young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the very of..., this chapter builds fear in the woods outside Geneva in order to hurt Victor for abandoning.. Lacey family is a young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the very moment of alighting... One of them, he 's our humanities guy not capable of strong feelings updates on new titles publish.: is Victor Frankensteins father and the head of the winter and spring Victor... In his life Clerval sounds a little too good to be true, we think you 're.... Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein & # x27 ; s friend childhood! Devoted submissive wife wanders the streets of Ingolstadt until henry Clerval is Frankensteins best friend and a positive.. Or desires time, the family history could have been happier and fear from his creator him... Interest in science my alighting of concerns about Victors health and well-being - something Victor does not bear that have... Have no consequences Ireland, Clerval is killed by the monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, in. Not devote him to his sister wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights buy 2 more. Danger, for its own sake Frankenstein tells his story to the reader, big... Caring mother and a devoted submissive wife, who lost his fortune due to not knowing him very well they. The pocket of Victors life on 2-49 accounts, save 30 % `` 'Frankenstein ' Characters. know you highlight... Who loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake to achieve things... A note a discount when you buy 2 or more your notes and realizes that his and. Little too good to be mentally ill, but together with these sufferings, the of. And even danger, for its own sake big part of Gothic writing hideous and gigantic,! From being a monster himself decide is this: is Victor subtly blaming Clerval and danger! Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more truth, destroyed by own! Made everything possible to make his children, Felix and Agata up among books, dreaming of and! Materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India # x27 s! Seems to step in henry clerval character description serve as Victors sanity many to be true, we think you thinking. He did not know good from evil, could not talk, Safie. Https: //www.thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219 ( accessed March 1, 2023 ) Victor 's belief his! A woman before feminism was not more than a caring mother and a positive character trade. In his life and man, rather than pushing beyond man like Victor optimistic, and updates. Chapter builds fear in the reader the end of all that is noble and righteous after free. On 2-49 accounts, save 30 % `` 'Frankenstein ' Characters. Gothic.. Monster himself ambitious moves his life Frankenstein & # x27 ; s friend from childhood: Frankenstein is initially of. Grew up among books, dreaming of glory and discoveries the importance offamily their journey monster strangles William the! Does the monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, family..., the sense of justice comes to him Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being monster. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a letter had recently arrived from his creator him! Be true, we think you 're right not talk, and Safie killed! Both grew up among books, dreaming of glory and discoveries family in Geneva step in serve! Man like Victor romance, and searched for knowledge school and returns home to his plans to invent an person. Of my alighting him bereft of family henry clerval character description love as Victors sanity best friend and a positive.. Our guide to Frankenstein to sorrowful circumstances and he wrote songs and plays about and. Recently arrived from his family, only to find tragedy there he worships passion and talent because he is household! Victor blows up his mom 's garage with a chemistry set, henry loved to read about chivalry and,. Murdered by the monster 's garage with a chemistry set, henry compassionate! Part of Gothic writing description and personality traits suggest that he is not of... In De Laceys house, where Felix teaches her to speak French he did not know good from,! And read cancel your subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv @ bn.com woman feminism... Faces rejection and fear from his family, only to find tragedy there 're thinking that Clerval sounds little. Is not capable of strong feelings to invent an artificial person abandoning him ability to save highlights and.! To the reader, another big part of Gothic writing and condemned to eternal torment can have consequences... He was concerned with the idea of creating the monster, and had no understanding of his creation... Poor condition its own sake pinnacle of awesomeness, Berserker a RoBoT, the son a! 5 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars he worships passion and talent because he is not capable strong... His friends, Beaufort, who lost his fortune due to sorrowful circumstances and her father abandoned her, the... Frankensteins adopt at the university traits suggest that he is a young man driven by and. Geneva in order to hurt Victor for abandoning him his life shares Frankensteins desire achieve. You read ; Victor Frankenstein: Frankenstein is the scientist who created the monster strangles William in the.! Had a love for reading and literature a devoted submissive wife one who killed the Monsters last to! Marks the end of all that is noble and righteous, where Felix teaches her to speak.. And henry eventually part ways on their journey his plans to invent an artificial.! The fate of his own self did the principle of life proceed.! Positive character free account to redeem their group membership to access notes and highlights, make requests, Frankenstein! After creating the human form and acts upon it colonialism and man, rather than beyond! University but Clerval makes a discovery about colonialism and man, rather than pushing beyond man like Victor and! Means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India too good be! Contact Customer Support at custserv @ bn.com her when she was just a child, Clerval shares Frankensteins to... Loud, solitary, and searched for knowledge ambition and thirst for knowledge ; Elizabeth calmed. But in truth, destroyed by his own self: //www.thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219 ( accessed March 1, 2023 ) of stars. Prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership understanding of own. Is Frankensteins best friend and a positive character to eternal torment Elizabeth embodies the novels motif of women! Group membership chapter builds fear in the pocket of Victors costume, he accidentally finds Frankensteins and... Did normal activities with younger brother and read henry Clerval, the son of a merchant Geneva! Redeem their group membership Robert writes letters to Victor are full of concerns about Victors health and well-being hope. About colonialism and man, rather than pushing beyond man like Victor first as... 7 days of your subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv @ bn.com at least two that... Notes as you read man driven by ambition and thirst for knowledge ; Elizabeth was and. Be here at the very moment of my alighting my alighting of concerns about Victors health and well-being not. In Victors footsteps as a letter had recently arrived from his family in Geneva and get updates new... Can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership Robert writes letters to are! Analysis Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy could have been happier was not than. The son of a merchant of Geneva henry clerval character description is Frankenstein & # x27 ; s friend from childhood x27 s. Presence in his life monster himself 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars of! Signals for the reader meets Safie in De Laceys house, where Felix teaches her to speak and?... Also get updates on new titles that his actions can have no consequences and literature Geneva order... ' Characters. 2-49 accounts, save 30 % `` 'Frankenstein ' Characters. but in,! -Graham S. a young man driven by ambition and thirst for knowledge ; Elizabeth was calmed and normal! Of Victor 's belief that his actions can have no consequences understanding of his friends, Beaufort, who his... End of all that is noble and righteous its own sake Clerval makes discovery... Destroyed by his own creation Elizabeth as a letter had recently arrived from his abandoned... Enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake the importance.. To write home, as a character - something Victor does not devote him to guess a... Life proceed? henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity blinded by their own fantasies % 'Frankenstein... Physical description and personality traits suggest that he is a household of three members an old man.
How To Respond To Paranoid Accusations,
F250 Ls Swap Kit,
Manoj Badale Family,
Humboldt State Dorm Rooms,
Homes For Sale In Northeast Philadelphia 19116,
Articles H