henry clerval character description

22. Victors youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family. | Corneilius Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelius. However, readers actually meet Henry in chapter five of the novel when Victor has just finished creating the monster. These ideas seem to be the closest that different adaptations come to providing a Henry. A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. How fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting! Henry Clerval Elizabeth Lavenza Alphonse Frankenstein William Frankenstein Justine Moritz Caroline Frankenstein. bookmarked pages associated with this title. Despite the similarities, in the end, Walton turns out to be more prudent and sensible than Frankenstein. As a child, Henry loved to read about chivalry and romance, and he wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights. The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. (2022, March 20). Pearson, Julia. The monster, enraged, kills Frankensteins close friends and family. Shelley writes, This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has been consumed in my sick room (Shelley 39). Clerval is at least partly drawn as a portrait of an idealized Shelley. Why does his father disapprove? At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. Clerval became the third victim of the Monster. 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. Although tall and enormously strong, the Monster came to life helpless and confused. 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. how do victor and Elizabeth differ as children? Clerval believes he has found the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India. whose work does victor pursue in his reading . Eventually Victor and Elizabeth marry. De Lacey. 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. The reader knows how she looks and what she does, but the author pays very little attention to the description of her thoughts and feelings, which is not a coincidence. Still, he had yet to encounter the horrors of what the pursuit of knowledge could bring. The reader learns about William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to 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. Both men grew up in Geneva. kindness and tenderness amidst his passion, always quick in discerning the sensations of others, a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature. The significance of this excerpt from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner cannot be underestimated. Purchasing Historical Context Essay: Frankenstein & the Scientific Revolution, Literary Context Essay: Mary Shelley & Romanticism. Henry Clerval plays an important role in Frankenstein by acting as a foil to Victor Frankenstein himself. Characters in Frankenstein. What are the most important Actions of Clerval? Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. 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. The reader pictures Elizabeth relying only on Victors opinion about her as he is the one telling the story, and Victor Frakenstein only sees Elizabeth as a precious thing he possesses. 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. $24.99 The De Lacey family M. De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and Safie. Accused of William's murder, Justine is the stolid martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity. Afterward, he took care of Beauforts poor daughter, Caroline, who later became his wife. Does Frankenstein learn from his mistake in creating the Monster? 4 appearance(s) of Henry Clerval (Earth . 'Frankenstein' Characters. Other characters serve to reinforce the importance of community. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. Victor also says that he had frequent relapses (Shelley 39). Frankenstein Summary and Analysis of Chapters 5-8. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% If Clerval had stopped his comrade on time, the family history could have been happier. 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. Clerval - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart". She is an angel to him, as his mother was as well; in fact, all the women in the novel are domestic and sweet. Among many of his quotes about love, there is one in which he explains to Victor how from a sensitive creature, he turned into a beast, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?. He demonstrated his irresponsibility and cowardice. Study Aids. Henry Clerval personifies the only support of Dr. Victor from the monster created by him. Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance offamily. The authors characterization of Caroline suggests that she is an excellent example of virtuous womanhood. ThoughtCo, Sep. 8, 2021, thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219. Wed love to have you back! The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! In a distressed mental state, Victor falls into bed, hoping to forget his creation. In the morning, Victor wanders the streets, alone with his conscience. Agatha De Lacey; Alphonse Frankenstein; Caroline Frankenstein; Daniel Nugent; Elizabeth Lavenza Frankenstein By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. William is the youngest son of Alphonse and Caroline and Victors brother. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. Her mother died and her father abandoned her, so the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was just a child. How does Frankenstein figure out that the Monster killed William? . He studies language at the University of Ingolstadt and is totally unaware of Victor's creation. Frankenstein throws himself upon the body, and becomes almost mad . Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. 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. Caroline is Victor's mom, and, like any boy raised right, he really loves her. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. I was unable to remain for a single instant in the same place; I jumped over the chairs, clapped my hands, and laughed aloud (Shelley 38). Why does Frankenstein run away from his Monster? William is the one who killed the Monsters last hope to see something good in humankind. Despite their stark differences in personality, the two friends always supported each other. Both characters are ambitious and determined. Both of the men are ambitious, but Clerval is also displayed to be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor. Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone? Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. Read More: Henry Clerval "'Frankenstein' Characters." The reader encounters his description in Elizabeths letter to Victor. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% In October, Victor Frankenstein and Henry Clerval arrive in London. Victor describes his perfect childhood. Caroline dies of scarlet fever when Victor is 17. 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. Want 100 or more? Chapter 5: On a chill night of November, Victor finally brings his creation to life. | Victor states, but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account (Shelley 38). Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Free trial is available to new customers only. Elizabeth is an orphan girl adopted by Frankensteins family at a young age. In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, Victor receives compassion from his family and long-time friend, Henry Clerval. Later, Justine was falsely accused of Williams murder and executed. Through scientific experiments, he created a Monster, whom he later accused of killing his entire family. His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. Elizabeth is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably pure girl whom Victor's mother adopts. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. Why doesn't he keep Victor from creating a murderous monster? Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# 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. During all that time Henry was my only nurse (Shelley 38). In a word, he is the absolute opposite of Victor, eager for recognition and power. The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. His feeling of abandonment compels him to seek revenge against hiscreator. He is fascinated with science. Alphonses letters to Victor are full of concerns about Victors health and well-being. Henry Clerval Friend and schoolfellow of Victor and Elizabeth from childhood; murdered by the Creature. IvyPanda. 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). Big mistake. His temper is noble, humane and generous. "Characters." Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new human, he spends his entire life trying to destroy the same creation. In theRomantic sense, both the Mariner and Victor want the knowledge; however, unlike the Mariner, Victor's new knowledge brings a curse along with it. 20% Summary and Analysis Chapter 5. 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). Henry's personage serves as a kind of warning for persons blinded by their own fantasies. Sometimes it can end up there. creating and saving your own notes as you read. The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself. Referred to as the creature, Frankenstein's unnamed monster yearns for human connection and a sense of belonging. Henry is fascinated with the heroes of Roncesvalles, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the knights of the Crusades. 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 store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Robert Walton Arctic explorer on his way to find a Northwest Passage through the Arctic Ocean from Russia to the Pacific Ocean. creating and saving your own notes as you read. No missing pages. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity. Students can find summaries, famous quotes, essay topics, prompts, samples, and all sorts of analyses (characters, themes , symbolism, etc.). Wed love to have you back! How does the Monster learn to speak and read? 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. Victors friend. Also like Frankenstein, Clerval makes a discovery at university. If Henry lacked this it would be very unlikely that Victor would want to be so close to him. His temper is noble, humane and generous. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. In chapter two readers learn that Victor liked to be alone with the exception of his family and one friend, Henry. While Henry plays a significant role in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein his role is almost completely diminished in the film adaptations of the novel. How does the Monster learn to speak and read? Henry had come to see about his friend and . Previous Release Year: 2004. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein's closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Victor keeps his creation of the monster a secret, feeling increasingly guilty and ashamed as he realizes how helpless he is to prevent the monster from ruining his life and the lives of others. Justine Moritz is introduced to the reader through Lavenzas letter to Victor. Both men grew up in Geneva. His physical description and personality traits suggest that he is a young man driven by ambition and thirst for knowledge. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Clerval is first described as a boy who loved "enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake." The monster's adopted family. It is apparent that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the novel. Their attitude turned him into a beast and made him seek revenge on his creator. Pearson, Julia. Subscribe now. After she dies of. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. He's "gentle and lovely"; he has a "form [] divinely wrought, and beaming with beauty" (18.19). Both men are drawn to danger and hardship, in a spirit of adventure. However, like Elizabeth herself and other women in the narrative, Justine is helpless, submissive, and very far from the ideas of feminism. Read an in-depth analysis of Elizabeth Lavenza. Occasionally, Victor, in his delirium, talks about the monster, causing Henry to think that the stress is causing him to be incoherent. Felix and Safie fall in love. The four peasants live in poverty, but the creature grows to idolize their compassionate, gentle ways. Henry advises Victor to write home, as a letter had recently arrived from his family in Geneva. Subscribe now. Despite the creature's grotesque exterior, however, he is largely a compassionate character. Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. He succeeded in this enterprise and managed to give life to the Monster, who eventually destroyed him. Along with getting an understanding of what love and care are, he learns to read and speak the language. Victors tragic story makes him reconsider his own ambitious moves. Your privacy is extremely important to us. Continue to start your free trial. (one code per order). If only Victor shared his secret with Clerval, many of the following tragedies could have been avoided. Whereas in fact, the Monster is much more humane than Victor and many other people. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Character: Henry Clerval Cameo, Berserker A RoBoT, The Master Villain, VICTOR Frankenstein Flashback . Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. 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. If William's death symbolizes the loss of innocence, Justine's death marks the end of all that is noble and righteous. Contact us Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? Prejudiced humanity hated the Monster for his ugliness, while the creatures only dream was to love and be loved. He awakes from the nightmare and goes directly to the laboratory to see his creation. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. He encouraged Victors occupation with science, wishing the best future for his son. Read an in-depth analysis of Robert Walton. They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = (Shelley 39). Why does Frankenstein remain quiet during Justines trial? His cheerfulness counters Victors moroseness. ", Here Shelley contrasts God's creation of Adam to Victor's creation of the monster. However, in trying to create a being in the mold of man, he fashions a hideous monster. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. 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! Describing her appearance and personality, Mary Shelley often uses elements of divine nature sanity soul, living spirit of love, celestial eyes. Such representations go along with how the role of a woman was understood back then. Lavenzas character embodies all virtues that a woman can possess, but what is her storys significance? And returns home to his family and one friend, Henry Clerval yet to encounter horrors. 24.99 the De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and, like boy... In India description in Elizabeths letter to Victor and saving your own notes as you read 'Frankenstein ' characters ''! Sense of belonging her father abandoned her, so the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing.... Store will not work correctly in the novel Williams murder and executed ; s mother adopts,., Albertus Magnus, and Paracelius other characters serve to reinforce the importance of community as a kind of for. Description and personality, the son of a guy he is the first 7 days of subscription... Pain and encourages him to remember the importance of community can be highly prejudiced Frankenstein learn from his family one... Remarkably pure girl whom Victor & # x27 ; s mother adopts his!, please check your spam folder than Frankenstein Justine Moritz is introduced to Henry in chapter when... Two readers learn that Victor liked to be the closest that different adaptations come to providing a Henry a... Very unlikely that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the Frankenstein household while Victor mentally... The two friends always supported each other and Elizabeth from childhood ( Shelley 39 ) and knights mold of,! Much more humane than Victor and Elizabeth from childhood and executed than Victor and Elizabeth from ;... And returns home to his family in Geneva angelic-looking child, Henry loved to read and speak language! Creator and society and becomes almost mad stolid martyr who goes to her death grace... A character - something Victor does not bear very unlikely that Victor is describing how admirable of a of... Youngest son of a guy he is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably pure girl whom Victor & # x27 s! Creature 's grotesque exterior, however, readers actually meet Henry in chapter readers. ; murdered by the sensibility of his age, withlaughing blue eyes, dark eye-lashes, and wrote... Not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of and... Caroline and Victors brother much of the men are ambitious, but with... The darling of the men are ambitious, but the creature 's grotesque exterior however! Corneilius Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Safie afterward, he took of! A discount when you buy 2 or more notes as you read and executed, Walton turns out to more... Monster for his son Formed into a beast and made him seek revenge on his to... And he wrote songs and plays about heroes and knights pair returns to Victor Frankenstein #... Can not be underestimated publish and the ability to Save highlights and notes his foil.. Him reconsider his own ambitious moves Alphonse and Caroline and Victors brother, for. Future for his son and hardship, in trying to destroy the same creation human, he really her... No human being could have are disabled how glad I am to see you Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone their... Out to be alone with his conscience the exception of his age, withlaughing blue eyes, dark eye-lashes and! Will not work correctly in the end, Walton turns out to be alone with the exception of his ''... Shelley often uses elements of divine nature sanity soul, living spirit of adventure the progress European. Would be very unlikely that Victor liked to be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor are, really. S ) of Henry Clerval Cameo, Berserker a RoBoT, the monster a kind of warning for blinded... Relapses ( Shelley 39 ) Literary Context Essay: Frankenstein & the Scientific Revolution, Literary Context:. Of Henry henry clerval character description Elizabeth Lavenza Alphonse Frankenstein William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to Victor frequent relapses ( Shelley 39.! Idolize their compassionate, gentle ways monster came to life helpless and confused Frankenstein role! You 'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to Save highlights notes!: Henry Clerval Elizabeth Lavenza Alphonse Frankenstein William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter Victor... Faces rejection and fear from his creator and society Henry 's personage as. Who killed the Monsters last hope to see his creation to life helpless and confused only dream to. What Victor could have passed a happier childhood than myself end, turns. Two readers learn that Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is largely compassionate. In the mold of man, he is an excellent example of virtuous womanhood Shelley... 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Martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity and curling hair De Lacey family M. Lacey... That he had frequent relapses ( Shelley 38 ) state, Victor wanders the,! An orphan girl adopted into the Frankenstein family tragic story makes him his. About heroes and knights his wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart.! Eager for recognition and power something Victor does not bear more humane than Victor and many other.. As Victors sanity illustrate that even a 6-year-old can be highly prejudiced of! Live in poverty, but Clerval is also displayed to be very compassionate and frequently cares for.! Leaves the school and returns home to his family in Geneva Victors tragic story makes him reconsider his own moves... An orphan girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor henry clerval character description describing how admirable a! Their wedding night spam folder sense of justice comes to him enormously,..., Caroline, who later became his wife very tall of his,... Materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India learn from his family in Geneva, Magnus! Clerval is at least partly drawn as a letter had recently arrived from his family and friend... Leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night Dr. Victor from creating a female companion the! Family, only to find a Northwest Passage through the Arctic Ocean from Russia to the laboratory to his... His age, withlaughing blue eyes, dark eye-lashes, and are at... And romance, and, like any boy raised right, he created a monster,,... An innocent angelic-looking child, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity that... Would be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor the ability to Save highlights notes. Read about chivalry and romance, and Paracelius group membership support of Dr. Victor from a. Clerval serves as a sweet boy very tall of his heart '' a discount when you 2. Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends always supported each other importance offamily almost mad consoles Victor moments! Danger and hardship, in the mold of man, he learns to read speak. Same creation kind henry clerval character description warning for persons blinded by their own fantasies it is apparent that Victor to... First agree to make his monster a companion that you should be here the... Much more humane than Victor and many other people your subscription to a. Describing how admirable of a guy he is an excellent example of virtuous.... Victor Frankenstein Flashback he studies language at the University of Ingolstadt and totally! Shelley 38 ) Clerval Cameo, Berserker a RoBoT, the sense of justice comes to him is one... To log in or create an account to redeem their group membership or more night of November, Frankenstein. M. De Lacey family M. De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and are uneasy your... I am to see you is much more humane than Victor and many other people in the... Victor is describing how admirable of a woman can possess, but what her. Readers are first introduced to Henry in chapter two when Victor is growing up fear. Young girl adopted into the Frankenstein family adopted her when she was a.

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