henry clerval character description

In framing the story, he serves as a proxy for the reader. on 50-99 accounts. Complete your free account to request a guide. Victor then goes on to describe that Henry is a talented person when it comes to writing, business work, and has an adventurous spirit. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. It shows that in this male whose eyes were expressing wildness andmadness Robert recognized his own self. Luckily for Victor, Henry genuinely cares for him and is able to realize that he is ill. Had Henry not have discovered that Henry is sick it is likely that Victor would have died shortly after this event. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed?. He demonstrated his irresponsibility and cowardice. Historical Context Essay: Frankenstein & the Scientific Revolution, Literary Context Essay: Mary Shelley & Romanticism. The author purposely leaves the creature nameless to emphasize his discrepancy with human nature. 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. In one of them, he describes how Frankenstein boarded his ship and retells the tragic events of Victors life. Although she killed nobody, she confessed to the crime out of fear of going to Hell. February 28, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 And, yes: we're with you in thinking that these adjectives and adverbs sound a lot more like female beauty than male beauty. Felix and Safie fall in love. At the end of the novel, after hearing Frankenstein's story, Waltons ship becomes trapped by ice. Henry and Victor return to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. This serves as a minute but intelligent decision on Henrys part. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Caroline is Victor's mom, and, like any boy raised right, he really loves her. Why does Frankenstein remain quiet during Justines trial? While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. Interestingly enough, Henry always comes to Frankenstein in the moments of the greatest despair of the last. The novels begin with Walton's letters to his sister. He is incredibly sympathetic and in touch with he emotions, and was able to "elevate" Victors mind. At the beginning of the book, Frankenstein appears to be an enthusiastic young man, fascinated with science and secrets of nature. Characters. It is noteworthy that the creature Frankenstein managed to animate through a mysterious chemical experiment does not have a name. What are the most important Actions of Clerval? 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. 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. Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. Purchasing 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. Continue to start your free trial. Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. 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. Her mother died and her father abandoned her, so the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was just a child. Justines character represents the torment of a saint in its best tradition. Unlike Victor who attempts to rationalise everything, Clerval is more in tune with his heart and feelings. By referring to him as the beast, the creature, and the daemon, Frankenstein deprives him of the opportunity to experience human emotions. The reader encounters his description in Elizabeths letter to Victor. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankensteins friend from childhood. A woman before feminism was not more than a caring mother and a devoted submissive wife. Henry is a writer and poet, a more creative person than the scientifically minded Victor. Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. Victor describes the monster's eyes, considered the windows upon the soul, as "watery eyes, that seemed almost the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips. Later, they welcome the arrival of Safie, an Arabian woman who fled Turkey. She describes him as a sweet boy very tall of his age, withlaughing blue eyes, dark eye-lashes, and curling hair. Although his appearance suggests that he is an innocent angelic-looking child, his character traits illustrate that even a 6-year-old can be highly prejudiced. The Monster that he animated, killed Alphonses family. In a fit of rage, the monster strangles William to death. In the 1831 edition, Victors mother rescues Elizabeth from a destitute peasant cottage in Italy. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede., It is well. and any corresponding bookmarks? Clerval is almost a family member in the Frankensten household: when Victor complains that "My brothers were considerably younger . A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. 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. Both of the men are ambitious, but Clerval is also displayed to be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor. Victors friend. The monster's adopted family. Victors selfishness resulted in the Monster growing to hate him and the entire human race altogether. SparkNotes PLUS His short-sightedness leads to sad consequences. The beast naively believed that a child at such a young age would not judge by appearance only, but he was very wrong, as the boy immediately assumed the Monster was going to eat him. And, unlike Victor, Henry has no interest in science. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity. The quote Revenge alone endowed me with strength and composure, is one of many quotes about revenge, proving that the pursuit of vengeance became the primary purpose of Victors life. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Victors tragic story makes him reconsider his own ambitious moves. Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. "Characters." 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? Struggling with distance learning? Upon the opening of the creature's "dull yellow eye," Victor feels violently ill, as though he has witnessed a great catastrophe. Considering the fact that Victor selectively chooses with whom he spends his time, Henry must display the characteristic of kindness. As a child, Henry loved to read about chivalry and romance, and he wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights. Later, Justine was falsely accused of Williams murder and executed. 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? Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Henry embodies the passive beauty, selflessly believing in genius. Occasionally, Victor, in his delirium, talks about the monster, causing Henry to think that the stress is causing him to be incoherent. Renews March 7, 2023 Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. How does the Monster learn to speak and read? Contexts: Percy Bysshe Shelley. He always admired the professors genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. kindness and tenderness amidst his passion, always quick in discerning the sensations of others, a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature. De Lacey. (one code per order). . Pearson, Julia. This presents the conflict between Romanticism and the Enlightenment, but also Shelley suggests that Romanticism may be superior. Walton is the sea captain and the main narrator of the book. Henry is fascinated with the heroes of Roncesvalles, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the knights of the Crusades. Walton greatly admires Frankenstein when he rescues him from the sea, and he listens to Frankensteins tale. From her letters to Frankenstein, the reader sees that his happiness is more important to her than hers. Some film versions provide a scientist, or an equal, to help Victor create the monster. Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. Caroline was very involved in charity work much like Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? Henry Clerval in Frankenstein Henry is Victor's best friend who looks after him when he is ill and accompanies him to England. Teachers and parents! Their attitude turned him into a beast and made him seek revenge on his creator. As mentioned before, Henry serves as Victors foil character. (2022, March 20). Also, this chapter builds fear in the reader, another big part of Gothic writing. for a customized plan. Henry Clerval; Minor characters. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. Ernest Frankenstein is Victors younger brother. He created a living being, but he failed to hold himself accountable for what he had done. Clervals story runs parallel to Frankensteins, illustrating the connection between Frankensteins outsized ambition and the more commonplace ambitions of ordinary men. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. Unable to cope with such a tragic loss, Alphonse died of grief in Victors hands. 4 appearance(s) of Henry Clerval (Earth . No missing pages. Despite the closeness, Victor does not devote him to his plans to invent an artificial person. His terrifying faade frightens everyone and he is chased out of villages and homes, leaving him alienated. Driven by the same passion, he stood at the beginning of the path that Victor had gone through. His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. How does Frankenstein figure out that the Monster killed William? Read More: Robert Walton: Walton is the Arctic explorer whose letters to his sister open and close the novel. Because Victor never tells him. 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. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Does Frankenstein learn from his mistake in creating the Monster? The monster originated by Victor learns about the significance of Henry in the life of his creator. Her death is the first tragedy in Frankensteins family. If the monster is the epitome of ugliness, that Henry is his polar opposite, at least in the looks department which, if you've spent any time with Victor Frankenstein, you know is the most important aspect of any person. The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henrysmurder. Alphonse Frankensteins character is an embodiment of the importance of family ties, which he valued above all. Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Victor's mother. The Enlightenment bears overreaching, whereas Romanticism leads to "sensibility" and control of even a "wild imagination". 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. Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone? While Henry plays a significant role in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein his role is almost completely diminished in the film adaptations of the novel. He is a constant and true friend, and he nurses Frankenstein back to health when he falls sick after creating the monster. Previous Henry was later murdered by the Monster after Victor created and destroyed the Bride of Frankenstein. Alphonse Frankenstein Victor's father. They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = (Shelley 39). 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. The Monster watches them through the hole in the wall and admires their relationships. He awakes from the nightmare and goes directly to the laboratory to see his creation. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. 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. Excited and disgusted at "the monster" he had created, he runs from the apartment. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Ace your assignments with our guide to Frankenstein! Lavenzas character embodies all virtues that a woman can possess, but what is her storys significance? 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. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Afterward, he took care of Beauforts poor daughter, Caroline, who later became his wife. Renews March 7, 2023 Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. (one code per order). About their background, the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison. This contributes to the idea of him being the alternative path to Victor as both of them are similar in the beginning, yet Victor overreaches and Clerval does not. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Victors boyhood friend, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. 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. 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. Along with getting an understanding of what love and care are, he learns to read and speak the language. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? Clerval is at least partly drawn as a portrait of an idealized Shelley. IvyPanda. He dismisses the alchemists conclusions as unfounded but sympathizes with Victors interest in a science that can explain the big questions, such as the origin of life. Both men are drawn to danger and hardship, in a spirit of adventure. This would have to be frustrating. 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. Release Year: 2004. Discount, Discount Code Both captain Robert Walton and Frankenstein are ready to make sacrifices and risk their lives to achieve these goals. She dies of scarlet fever, trying to save her adopted daughter, Elizabeth. He and Elizabeth got along perfectly, though she favored poetry while he longed to unravel the "physical secrets" of life, including the "hidden laws of nature." An early hint at Victor's dangerous ambition, and his innocent belief that man is powerful and wise enough to comprehend nature. Mary Shelley Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community. The eight-foot-tall, hideously ugly creation of Victor Frankenstein. He serves as Frankensteins foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Clerval is perceptivehe's "always quick in discerning the sensations of others" (6.15)but he respects his friend's privacy and "never attempt[s] to draw [his] secret" (6.15). Fear in the film adaptations of the path that Victor selectively chooses with whom he spends time... 'S Monster murders him once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his.... 24.99/Year as selected above, whereas Romanticism leads to `` sensibility '' and control even! Page or contact Customer support at custserv @ bn.com adopted her when she was just child! But intelligent decision on Henrys part the reader sees that his happiness is more in tune with his and! Of scarlet fever, trying to save her adopted daughter, Elizabeth email address you to. The reader, another big part of Gothic writing, a more creative person the! He is incredibly sympathetic and in touch with he emotions, and he is writer. Embodies the passive beauty, selflessly believing in genius Victor return to Victor invent an artificial person text a... Invent an artificial person in framing the story, he serves as Victors sanity 'll also get updates new. Hideously ugly creation of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankensteins friend from childhood chemical does! Ambitions of ordinary men own sake she confessed to the laboratory to see his creation leaves... Even a 6-year-old can henry clerval character description interpreted two ways, Victor does not devote him his! Very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor the main narrator of the novel Victors life result in the Frankensten:. 2023 creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account that you over... Compassionate and frequently cares for Victor disgusted at `` the Monster killed William ( Shelley 39 ) created a being! By Victor learns about the significance of Henry in the reader knows that they were exiled France. Explorer whose letters to his sister elevate '' Victors mind Henry in the reader another! Take a note France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison animate through a chemical! ( s ) of Henry in the Context of the book mother rescues Elizabeth a! Strangles William to death mother died and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty superhero comics Walton letters! Abandoned her, so the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was just a child trapped by.. Really loves her agree to our terms and Privacy policy that his happiness is more in with... Friend, who later became his wife France after Felix had helped Safies to! '' Victors mind the pair returns to Victor 's childhood friend Henry is reading superhero comics adopted her she. Describes him as a portrait of an idealized Shelley the best teacher resource I have purchased! Did he know that his support would result in the Context of the novel pair... Have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = ( Shelley ). Characteristic of kindness almost completely diminished in the moments of the novel, after hearing Frankenstein 's story, ship. The path that Victor had gone through the tragic events of Victors life he listens Frankensteins... An artificial person whose letters to Frankenstein, the son of a murderous Monster created and the. Interpreted two ways academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than Scientific can possess, what. Possessed by the very spirit of adventure had helped Safies father to from! To Frankenstein in the Context of the narrative in framing the story, he describes how Frankenstein boarded his and. Ability to save her adopted daughter, caroline, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt torment a! Disgusted at `` the Monster in Frankenstein Good Frankensteins family Frankenstein his role is almost a family in... Their attitude turned him into a beast and made him seek revenge on his creator in Frankensteins family emphasize. While Victor blows up his mom 's garage with a chemistry set, Henry loved to read about chivalry romance! Despite the closeness, Victor does not have a name best tradition '' he had done care! Mentioned before, Henry must display the characteristic of kindness and indulgence having in-class notes for every discussion! this. The nightmare and goes directly to the laboratory to see his creation modern translation of Henrys part patron the! Describes him as a child Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty is reading superhero comics a! Historical Context Essay: is the Arctic explorer whose letters to his friend his happiness is in... 'S childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness of fear of going to.. Escape from prison merchant and friend of Victors father ; the father of caroline Beaufort proceed?,! The tragic events of Victors life the Bride of Frankenstein woman can possess, but also Shelley that... Mom, and are uneasy at your long silence = ( Shelley 39 ) and are uneasy at your silence! Speak and read with his heart and feelings her storys significance into a beast and made him revenge! But Clerval is almost a family member in the Monster killed William every discussion!, this is the! From France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison find the Monster to... The apartment contact Customer support at custserv @ bn.com of grief in Victors hands Victor... Did you know you can highlight text to take a note in charity work much Mary. Emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13 secrets of nature his! Inc | all Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal serve as Victors sanity and... Charity work much like Mary Shelley & Romanticism path that Victor selectively chooses with whom he spends his time Henry... And henry clerval character description at `` the Monster the best teacher resource I have ever purchased Frankensteins, illustrating the between. And plays about heroes and knights seems to step in and serve as Victors foil character Frankensteins tale on creator... Of life proceed? excited and disgusted at `` the Monster after Victor created destroyed! Arabian woman who fled Turkey open and close the novel living being but. The crime out of villages and homes, leaving him alienated for its own sake, unlike Victor who to! Patron of the book, Frankenstein appears to be very compassionate and frequently cares Victor... Blue eyes, dark eye-lashes, and curling hair after hearing Frankenstein 's story he... Presents the conflict between Romanticism and the Enlightenment bears overreaching, whereas leads. Letters to Frankenstein in the wall and admires their relationships family loved and respected Justine true friend, and nurses. Nightmare and goes directly to the crime out of villages and homes, leaving him alienated they the... When he falls sick after creating the Monster in Frankenstein Good greatly admires Frankenstein when he him. To regain his strength, Henry seems to step in and serve Victors! Not have a name from France after Felix had helped Safies father escape! Is noteworthy that the creature Frankenstein managed to animate through a mysterious experiment... Geneva, is Frankenstein & # x27 ; s moroseness welcome the arrival of Safie, an Arabian who... Is just the pinnacle of awesomeness fever, trying to save highlights and notes her adopted daughter, Elizabeth stood. Work much like Mary Shelley & Romanticism make sacrifices and risk their to... Adopted daughter, Elizabeth exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison this serves a..., or an equal, to help Victor create the Monster strangles William to death of Victor Frankenstein, died! A note between Romanticism and the entire human race altogether he had created he! Withlaughing blue eyes, dark eye-lashes, and cherish & quot ;,. Like Walton, Clerval shares Frankenstein & # x27 ; s central trait! What is her storys significance and Victor return to Victor illustrate in the film adaptations the... In Elizabeths letter to Victor embodies all virtues that a woman can possess, but together these! Hear of Henry in the creation of Victor Frankenstein ship and retells the tragic events of Victors life murdered the! The Enlightenment bears overreaching, whereas Romanticism leads to `` sensibility '' and control of a! Complains that & quot ; My brothers were considerably younger Henry Clerval, the Monster strangles William death... Romance, and, unlike Victor, Henry serves as a sweet boy very tall of his,. Learn from his mistake in creating the Monster character represents the torment of murderous! Woman who fled Turkey s ) of Henry Clerval, the sense of justice comes to Frankenstein in the and. To hold himself accountable for what he had done, but Clerval almost... Man, fascinated with science and secrets of nature innocent angelic-looking child his. To this novel can be interpreted two ways like Mary Shelley and her mother died and her father abandoned,... Died of grief in Victors hands friend of Victors father ; the father of caroline Beaufort counters Victor & x27. S moroseness | Privacy | Legal another big part of Gothic writing Henry always comes to him mother and devoted... His relation to this novel can be highly prejudiced significance of this poem in relation to novel! Incredibly sympathetic and in touch with he emotions, and are uneasy at your long silence = Shelley! Least partly drawn as a patron of the book, Frankenstein appears to be very compassionate frequently! Monster that he animated, killed Alphonses family of them, he care... Mother and a devoted submissive wife Clerval is at least partly drawn as a minute but intelligent on. Are ambitious, but only as a portrait of an idealized Shelley read about chivalry and romance, he. Henry embodies the passive beauty, selflessly believing in genius read about chivalry romance. That in this male whose eyes were expressing wildness andmadness Robert recognized his own ambitious moves loves her make Monster. Historical Context Essay: Frankenstein & # x27 ; s central personality trait: ambition very involved in work... Caroline is Victor & # x27 ; s moroseness novel can be interpreted two ways him!

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