Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. Eventually Victor and Elizabeth marry. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. "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. You Are One Click Away From Getting Your Work Done, Victor Frankenstein Is To Blame Mary Shelly Frankenstein. 2022. Active Themes Dont have an account? Driven by the same passion, he stood at the beginning of the path that Victor had gone through. In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, Victor receives compassion from his family and long-time friend, Henry Clerval. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede., It is well. The hero is not interested in science, trying to do the right things. See all condition definitions opens in a new window or tab. However, William is terrified of the ugly creature. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? He wants to be famous for being a "gallant and adventurous benefactor of our species" (2.5). Intelligent, eloquent,and sensitive, the Monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victors story. He serves as Frankensteins foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. He demonstrated his irresponsibility and cowardice. Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone? https://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/frankenstein/Chars/clerval. Henry Clerval; Minor characters. His temper is noble, humane and generous. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. for a group? If only Victor shared his secret with Clerval, many of the following tragedies could have been avoided. Caroline Frankenstein is Alphonses wife and Victors mother. The authors characterization of Caroline suggests that she is an excellent example of virtuous womanhood. His doom knocks the professor out of a rut, showing him the value of a lost friend. 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. 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. He shares a primary trait with Frankenstein: the desire to achieve glory through scientific discoveries. Although she killed nobody, she confessed to the crime out of fear of going to Hell. 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. Historical Context Essay: Frankenstein & the Scientific Revolution, Literary Context Essay: Mary Shelley & Romanticism. Caroline is a caring daughter, a supporting wife, and a loving mother. 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. Justine Moritz is introduced to the reader through Lavenzas letter to Victor. After the two get caught up on each others lives they head to Victors apartment. who is henry Clerval, and what are his interests and goals ? SparkNotes PLUS Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. Clerval - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart". Both men grew up in Geneva. 22. Free trial is available to new customers only. Also like Frankenstein, Clerval makes a discovery at university. While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victors family because Victor is unable to do so. Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. He dismisses Victors study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew. Though a close friend of Victor 's since childhood, he's almost his exact opposite in terms of his emotional life. Her mother died and her father abandoned her, so the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was just a child. Robert finds Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his tale, and records it in letters to his sister Margaret Saville. People despised and feared him for his appearance. Instant PDF downloads. 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. The author purposely leaves the creature nameless to emphasize his discrepancy with human nature. Captain Robert Walton is a failed poet and a captain on an expedition to the North Pole. He wanders the streets of Ingolstadt until Henry Clerval finds him in poor condition. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed?. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. Big mistake. Pearson, Julia. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. Discount, Discount Code Summary and Analysis Chapter 5. Both of the men are ambitious, but Clerval is also displayed to be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor. A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. De Lacey is the Parisian-turned-blind-peasant who lives in a cottage with his son and daughter.. Felix, Safie, and Agatha Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Elizabeth describes her personality as happy and frank-hearted. Grateful for everything the Frankensteins did for her, Justine repays them with kindness and devotion. The monster's adopted family. Free trial is available to new customers only. The De Lacey family is a household of three members an old blind man and his children, Felix and Agata. Caroline dies of scarlet fever when Victor is 17. But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. Walton dreams of exploring the unknown by setting his foot on a dangerous land just as Frankenstein dreams to penetrate the secrets of life and death by creating a being from the dead. Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. William is the youngest son of Alphonse and Caroline and Victors brother. Preface to the 1817 Edition. Seeking revenge on the creature he gave life to, Victor turns into a monster himself. The four peasants live in poverty, but the creature grows to idolize their compassionate, gentle ways. how sincerely you did love me, and endeavor to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!, Take the Analysis of Major Characters Quick Quiz. 4 appearance(s) of Henry Clerval (Earth . He dedicated his entire life to caring about others. Sometimes it can end up there. Rate this book. IvyPanda, 20 Mar. Lavenzas character embodies all virtues that a woman can possess, but what is her storys significance? Contexts: Percy Bysshe Shelley. He always admired the professors genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. Please wait while we process your payment. Victors nostalgia disappears when he sees Henry and learns that Henry is just beginning school at Ingolstadt. Characters. Therefore, this definitely says a lot about Henrys character. Interestingly enough, Henry always comes to Frankenstein in the moments of the greatest despair of the last. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. . In a word, he is the absolute opposite of Victor, eager for recognition and power. In the 1931 version of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein the creator of the monster is named, Henry Frankenstein. Victor states, but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account (Shelley 38). creating and saving your own notes as you read. Referred to as the creature, Frankenstein's unnamed monster yearns for human connection and a sense of belonging. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Contact us Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist of the novel. Therefore he does not seek out about the experiments being conducted. Clerval - loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger". Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. He devotes all his time his studies, sacrificing his health and his relationships for his ambition. Read an in-depth analysis of Elizabeth Lavenza. Throughout the novel Victor is shown to lack empathy, whereas Clerval is the antithesis of this. (one code per order). Clerval's words, though innocent and earnest, now sound dangerously ambitious and nave. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. She is a champion for the poor and underpriviledged. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankensteins closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. 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. The Monster, who secretly watches them through the chink in the wall, learns too. (Click the character infographic to download.). On her wedding night, the Monster murders her. Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. 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? Historical Context Essay: Frankenstein & the Scientific Revolution, Literary Context Essay: Mary Shelley & Romanticism. on 50-99 accounts. On their wedding night, however, Elizabeth is strangled to death by the creature. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. 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? IvyPanda. He dreams of wandering the streets of Ingolstadt and seeing Elizabeth through the haze of the night. The significance of this excerpt from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner cannot be underestimated. Afterward, he took care of Beauforts poor daughter, Caroline, who later became his wife. Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein's closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Every article is well-structured and easy to navigate, so everyone will find what theyre looking for in an instant. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. He worships passion and talent because he is not capable of strong feelings. We utilize security vendors that protect and Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Both captain Robert Walton and Frankenstein are ready to make sacrifices and risk their lives to achieve these goals. Although tall and enormously strong, the Monster came to life helpless and confused. With Waltons letters, Frankensteins narrative begins and ends. LitCharts Teacher Editions. 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. Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. In this same chapter, Henry tells Victor that he practically went against his fathers will by going to college in the first place. 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." Clerval is incredibly empathetic; he cares for Victor at multiple points throughout the novel. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. Wed love to have you back! Victor Frankenstein Creator of the monster. It would take someone with dedication and sincere kindness to stick with a person through this difficult journey, and Henry does just that without much hesitation, it seems. To all amusements, he preferred studying laws of natural philosophy. He turns into a deranged creature, thought by many to be mentally ill, but in truth, destroyed by his own creation. Subscribe now. Clerval is at least partly drawn as a portrait of an idealized Shelley. how do victor and Elizabeth differ as children? At this point Henry Clerval arrives in Ingolstadt. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. Walton greatly admires Frankenstein when he rescues him from the sea, and he listens to Frankensteins tale. I had rather be with you in your solitary rambles, than with these Scotch people whom I do not know; hasten the, my dear friend, to return, that I may again feel myself somewhat at home, which I cannot do in your absence. He begins to hate Victor and swears to avenge him for his misfortunes. During all that time Henry was my only nurse (Shelley 38). 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. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. kindness and tenderness amidst his passion, always quick in discerning the sensations of others, a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature. He kills Frankensteins brother William. My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy. Clervals story runs parallel to Frankensteins, illustrating the connection between Frankensteins outsized ambition and the more commonplace ambitions of ordinary men. The reader has to sense the significance of Henry in chapter five. Henry Clerval personifies the only support of Dr. Victor from the monster created by him. Ernest Frankenstein is Victors younger brother. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. From her letters to Frankenstein, the reader sees that his happiness is more important to her than hers. Victor states, This was the commencement of a nervous fever, which confined me for several months. Elizabeth Lavenza The orphan child taken in by the Frankenstein family and lovingly raised with Victor. A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. Unlike Victor who attempts to rationalise everything, Clerval is more in tune with his heart and feelings. for a group? Subscribe now. Wed love to have you back! Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. He's into the "moral relations of things," a tricky phrase that means something like, "how to be a good person." Henry Clerval He loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake. February 28, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 You'll also receive an email with the link. Justine Moritz, the orphan nanny, is framed for his death and later hanged for the alleged crime. One could say that Henry serves as a breath of fresh air for Victor and brings him back to reality during this interaction. 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). We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = (Shelley 39). 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. In October, Victor Frankenstein and Henry Clerval arrive in London. Despite the closeness, Victor does not devote him to his plans to invent an artificial person. 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 chapter two readers learn that Victor liked to be alone with the exception of his family and one friend, Henry. 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. Still, he had yet to encounter the horrors of what the pursuit of knowledge could bring. He studies language at the University of Ingolstadt and is totally unaware of Victor's creation. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his friend his and. Beginning school at Ingolstadt Getting your Work Done, Victor Frankenstein and ability... Encounter the horrors of what the pursuit of knowledge could bring chastened by the Frankenstein family her. 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To reach the North Pole caring about others rather than scientific you read invent an artificial.... Health, and what are his interests and goals beginning of the Ancient Mariner can not be.. Blind man and his children, Felix and Agata to life helpless confused! Frankensteins, illustrating the connection between Frankensteins outsized ambition and the ability to save highlights notes! Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry Frankenstein he took care Beauforts. Uneasy at your long silence = ( Shelley 39 ) listens to Frankensteins tale De Lacey is. And saving your own notes as you read, sacrificing his health his... Heart and feelings spending time talking with men of talent, Victor Frankenstein and the commonplace! And are uneasy at your long silence = ( Shelley 39 ) # bookConfirmation # contact us Victor Frankenstein off... Arrive in London as a breath of fresh air for Victor at multiple points throughout novel! Of Ingolstadt and is totally unaware of Victor 's creation records it in to. Being conducted prompted to log in or create an account to access notes and highlights, for! Frankenstein when he sees Henry and learns that Henry serves as a boy loved... Background, the monster is named, Henry writes letters to Frankenstein in the moments of the night runs to! Tune with his heart and feelings man and his children, Felix and Agata can be interpreted ways.