The monster The creature created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt. From what you have read, explain how Henry Clerval is a foil to Victor's character. "Characters." At the end of the novel, after hearing Frankenstein's story, Waltons ship becomes trapped by ice. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219. Elizabeth is an orphan girl adopted by Frankensteins family at a young age. He dismisses Victors study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew. 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. 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?. Although she killed nobody, she confessed to the crime out of fear of going to Hell. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. First, he was concerned with the fate of his friends, Beaufort, who lost his fortune due to sorrowful circumstances. 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. He wants to be famous for being a "gallant and adventurous benefactor of our species" (2.5). When he walks into the chamber, he is overcome with horror: the lifeless form of Henry Clerval lies before him. Despite the creature's grotesque exterior, however, he is largely a compassionate character. 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. Purchasing Wed love to have you back! Robert Walton Arctic explorer on his way to find a Northwest Passage through the Arctic Ocean from Russia to the Pacific Ocean. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. 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. During his journey to the North Pole, Robert writes letters to his sister. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victors sanity. The Monster, Robert Walton, Elizabeth Lavenza, and many others are described here. He is a loyal and caring friend, supportive companion, obedient son of his parents, and enthusiastic altruist. Need Custom Character Analysis Sample With Quotes or Maybe Help With Editing? In this way, Walton applies the lessons that Shelley wishes to impart through the novel: the value of connection and the dangers of scientific enlightenment. He dreams of wandering the streets of Ingolstadt and seeing Elizabeth through the haze of the night. The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. Copyright 2023 - IvyPanda is operated by, Frankenstein character analysis: Academia, Frankenstein Reflects the Hopes and Fears of Every Scientific Era: The Atlantic, Character and Characterization: Kansas State University. However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. Your privacy is extremely important to us. Contact us (2022, March 20). The novels begin with Walton's letters to his sister. She is a champion for the poor and underpriviledged. 1. Her death is the first tragedy in Frankensteins family. All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. Henry Clerval Victor's boyhood friend, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. He is a constant and true friend, and he nurses Frankenstein back to health when he falls sick after creating the monster. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Henry had come to see about his friend and . Ingolstadt. Victor falls in an uncontrollable attack of exhaustion and stress. Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. William is the one who killed the Monsters last hope to see something good in humankind. Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. 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. for a customized plan. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? His reaction seems to suggest that the creature's monstrosity is too much for even the innocent. What are the most important Actions of Clerval? 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. Whereas in fact, the Monster is much more humane than Victor and many other people. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. The Enlightenment bears overreaching, whereas Romanticism leads to "sensibility" and control of even a "wild imagination". Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Henry Clerval http://wordpress.clarku.edu/kasmerivanhoe/roles/henry-clerval-2/. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! You'll also receive an email with the link. In the morning, Victor wanders the streets, alone with his conscience. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Clerval shares Frankenstein's central personality trait: ambition. Read More: Henry Clerval The Monster painfully endures loneliness and isolation, but together with these sufferings, the sense of justice comes to him. 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." Clervals nature is then quite in contrast with Frankensteins; instead of searching for glory and scientific achievement, Clerval searches for moral meaning in life. Below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. They both grew up among books, dreaming of glory and discoveries. Henry had come to see about his friend and to enroll at the university. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. However, in trying to create a being in the mold of man, he fashions a hideous monster. William is Victor Frankenstein's s younger brother. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. IvyPanda. The reader learns about William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to Victor. Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance offamily. Seeking revenge on the creature he gave life to, Victor turns into a monster himself. The family is comprised of the old, blind father De Lacey, his son Felix, and his daughter Agatha. Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. Henry Clervals character plays an important role in the narrative. With time, such seemingly positive character traits as curiosity and love of science turned into a real madness, as Frankenstein became obsessed with the idea of creating a living creature from a dead matter. The Monster that he animated, killed Alphonses family. ", Here Shelley contrasts God's creation of Adam to Victor's creation of the monster. Dont have an account? 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. She is an angel to him, as his mother was as well; in fact, all the women in the novel are domestic and sweet. Henry Clerval; Minor characters. Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. He is the sole reason the monster is alive and killing members of his family and his close friends, yet he does not really take action to prevent these deaths or even tell anyone about his creation until he meets Walton. Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist of the novel. Shelley writes, This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has been consumed in my sick room (Shelley 39). Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. and any corresponding bookmarks? About Frankenstein, Next 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? Henry is a writer and poet, a more creative person than the scientifically minded Victor. Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy. 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. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. Why do the townspeople accuse Frankenstein of murdering Clerval? He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. During the dream, Elizabeth then turns into his mother, Caroline, whom he pictures being held in his own arms. Victor and Henry Go to England. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victors footsteps as a scientist. 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. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Print. Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? Justine Moritz The housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. The monster's rejection from society pushes him to commit murder against his creator's family. This note of happiness sends Victor into a fit of joy, knowing that his creation is no longer there. Release Year: 2004. Exiled from France for treason against their government. Both of the men are ambitious, but Clerval is also displayed to be very compassionate and frequently cares for Victor. 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. While Henry plays a significant role in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein his role is almost completely diminished in the film adaptations of the novel. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Unable to cope with such a tragic loss, Alphonse died of grief in Victors hands. $24.99 How does Frankenstein figure out that the Monster killed William? The pair returns to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. Intelligent, eloquent,and sensitive, the Monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him. While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victors family because Victor is unable to do so. Clerval - "How sincerely you did love me, and endeavour to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!". By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. People despised and feared him for his appearance. Why is Walton trying to reach the North Pole? He dies alone, searching for the monster, and expresses to Captain Walton the necessity of sacrifice for a greater good. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. Character List Victor Frankenstein Creator of the monster. Summary and Analysis Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. He studies language at the University of Ingolstadt and is totally unaware of Victor's creation. But the insight of Clerval allows him to guess about a future catastrophe quickly. 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