Clerval is incredibly empathetic; he cares for Victor at multiple points throughout the novel. 22. Henry is famous for his kindness and tenderness for his wife and close friends. creating and saving your own notes as you read. The creature longs to live with them, but when he reveals himself to the peasants, they drive him away out of terror. Henry was later murdered by the Monster after Victor created and destroyed the Bride of Frankenstein. Elizabeth describes her personality as happy and frank-hearted. Grateful for everything the Frankensteins did for her, Justine repays them with kindness and devotion. Would this whole tragedy somehow been averted if Clerval had been a good enough friend to make Victor confess? Caroline was very involved in charity work much like Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft especially for families in poverty. Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. 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? He serves as Frankenstein's foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Alphonse Frankenstein Victor's father. He befriends Henry Clerval, a Romantic character, who becomes his life-long pal. Excited and disgusted at "the monster " he had created, he runs from the apartment. Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? From that moment on, Victor was no longer a virtuous character. Henry remarks on Victor's condition, noting the disheveled look, his "thin and pale" condition, and tiredness. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Ingolstadt. Walton greatly admires Frankenstein when he rescues him from the sea, and he listens to Frankensteins tale. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. At the age of 6, he becomes the first victim of the Monster. The creature happens upon him in the woods and tries to befriend him, thinking that the childs youth would make him unprejudiced. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! 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. Why does Frankenstein create the Monster? Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. 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. The De Lacey family is a household of three members an old blind man and his children, Felix and Agata. "Characters." 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). Through trial and error, he learned that he was very different from others and that people would never accept him. Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. See all condition definitions opens in a new window or tab. Read an in-depth analysis of Elizabeth Lavenza. You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow creatures, who owe me nothing?, You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. 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. See, he wants to be famous, too, but not for discovering the secret of life. Justine is blamed and executed for Williams murder, which is actually committed by the monster. Chapter 5. She grows up with Victor and later becomes Frankensteins wife. The Frankensteins treated her as a part of the household. He is obsessed with scientific achievement and glory, which drives him to discover the secret of manifesting life. The authors characterization of Caroline suggests that she is an excellent example of virtuous womanhood. ensure the integrity of our platform while keeping your private information safe. You'll also receive an email with the link. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. for a group? He suffers from illness probably brought on from his advanced age and depression from the events that have happened. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Henry is fascinated with the heroes of Roncesvalles, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the knights of the Crusades. . Clerval believes he has found the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India. Clerval serves as Victor's guiding light throughout Frankenstein, selflessly helping Victor but never prodding him to reveal his secrets. The monster's rejection from society pushes him to commit murder against his creator's family. Unlike other children, he did not want to spend time on entertainment. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Prejudiced humanity hated the Monster for his ugliness, while the creatures only dream was to love and be loved. Robert finds Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his tale, and records it in letters to his sister Margaret Saville. She is a champion for the poor and underpriviledged. Alphonse Frankenstien raised his children in love and support. The family is comprised of the old, blind father De Lacey, his son Felix, and his daughter Agatha. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. Who is Henry Clerval, and what are his interests and goals? However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/, IvyPanda. Wed love to have you back! "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankensteins closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. 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. Book Title: Essential Monster Of Frankenstein Volume 1 TPB. During all that time Henry was my only nurse (Shelley 38). 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. However, like Elizabeth herself and other women in the narrative, Justine is helpless, submissive, and very far from the ideas of feminism. He dreams of wandering the streets of Ingolstadt and seeing Elizabeth through the haze of the night. Why does Frankenstein destroy the Monsters female companion? He is incredibly sympathetic and in touch with he emotions, and was able to "elevate" Victors mind. Elizabeth is perhaps the primary example of the abandoned child in the novel, which is populated by many orphans and makeshift families. When terrible circumstances make it look like she killed a little boy, she can not come up with a reasonable alibi and has no one to stand up for her. Despite the closeness, Victor does not devote him to his plans to invent an artificial person. However, his personality traits would not be so significant if they did not serve as a foil to demonstrate Frankensteins shortcomings. Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. Teachers and parents! His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. $24.99 After spending his adolescence reading outdated theories on alchemy and the philosophers stone, Frankenstein goes to university, where he succeeds in germinating life. Justine Moritz The housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. Renews March 7, 2023 and any corresponding bookmarks? -Graham S. A young woman who the Frankensteins adopt at the age of 12. His feeling of abandonment compels him to seek revenge against hiscreator. Removing #book# Henry and Victor return to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Victor states, but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account (Shelley 38). His rejection of human connection and his single-minded drive for success leave him bereft of family and love. Frankenstein. Victors youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family. 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." He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England. Walton is the sea captain and the main narrator of the book. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. 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. Why does Frankenstein destroy the Monsters female companion? Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Need Custom Character Analysis Sample With Quotes or Maybe Help With Editing? The Enlightenment bears overreaching, whereas Romanticism leads to "sensibility" and control of even a "wild imagination". Purchasing Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. 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? The doomed protagonist and narrator of the main portion of the story. Still, he had yet to encounter the horrors of what the pursuit of knowledge could bring. This presents the conflict between Romanticism and the Enlightenment, but also Shelley suggests that Romanticism may be superior. Safie in Frankenstein plays a minor role. (2021, September 8). Henry Clerval was the friend of Victor Frankenstein. During his journey to the North Pole, Robert writes letters to his sister. Victors experiments were prompted not so much by the desire to make the discovery for the benefit of mankind, but by his own vanity. Sometimes it needs to show rigidity and cunning, not to comply with humanism, for salvation. People despised and feared him for his appearance. Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. 2022. SparkNotes PLUS Henry genuinely loves his friend and seems to be the only person capable of influencing his mind. At the beginning of the book, Frankenstein appears to be an enthusiastic young man, fascinated with science and secrets of nature. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. 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. Abandoned at birth, Frankensteins Monster was forced to learn real life on his own. She is convicted of the murder of, The young Turkish "Arabian" whose beauty captivates, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. He always admired the professor's genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. 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. Both characters are ambitious and determined. Whose works does Victor pursue in his reading and studies? For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! for a group? Victor's sister by adoption, and later his wife. Despite their stark differences in personality, the two friends always supported each other. Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. Elizabeth later becomes Victor's wife and is killed by the monster on their honeymoon. Referred to as the creature, Frankenstein's unnamed monster yearns for human connection and a sense of belonging. William is the youngest son of Alphonse and Caroline and Victors brother. Henry Clerval; Minor characters. 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. 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. 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. Williams death deeply saddens Victor and burdens him with tremendous guilt about having created the monster. Also like Frankenstein, Clerval makes a discovery at university. Subscribe now. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. Seeking revenge on the creature he gave life to, Victor turns into a monster himself. A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. I, who have so disinterested an affection for you, may increase your miseries tenfold by being an obstacle to your wishes, she writes to Victor. 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. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Murder, which is populated by many orphans and makeshift families had created, he did not serve a... 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