Below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships. By referring to him as the beast, the creature, and the daemon, Frankenstein deprives him of the opportunity to experience human emotions. Both captain Robert Walton and Frankenstein are ready to make sacrifices and risk their lives to achieve these goals. $24.99 Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankenstein's friend from childhood. Elizabeth later becomes Victor's wife and is killed by the monster on their honeymoon. Considering the fact that Victor selectively chooses with whom he spends his time, Henry must display the characteristic of kindness. The hero is not interested in science, trying to do the right things. Unable to cope with such a tragic loss, Alphonse died of grief in Victors hands. Elizabeth embodies the novels motif of passive women, as she waits patiently for Victors attention. Removing #book# Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. He shares a primary trait with Frankenstein: the desire to achieve glory through scientific discoveries. She is an angel to him, as his mother was as well; in fact, all the women in the novel are domestic and sweet. Alphonse Frankenstein Victor's father. Why does his father disapprove? Book Title: Essential Monster Of Frankenstein Volume 1 TPB. And, unlike Victor, Henry has no interest in science. Clerval also accompanies Frankenstein on his travels to England and Scotland, where they separate. 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. 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. His rejection of human connection and his single-minded drive for success leave him bereft of family and love. Margaret Saville Robert's sister. 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. Later, they welcome the arrival of Safie, an Arabian woman who fled Turkey. It is noteworthy that the creature Frankenstein managed to animate through a mysterious chemical experiment does not have a name. Upon seeing Henry, Victor states, I grasped his hand, and in a moment forgot my horror and misfortune; I felt suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and serene joy (Shelley 37). Henry Clerval http://wordpress.clarku.edu/kasmerivanhoe/roles/henry-clerval-2/. Corneilius Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelius. A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. 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. There are four children in his family, including Elizabeth Lavenza, who is Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and fear. IvyPanda. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. 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. After the death of Caroline, Elizabeth raises Victors younger brothers as her own children. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Victors youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family. Occasionally, Victor, in his delirium, talks about the monster, causing Henry to think that the stress is causing him to be incoherent. Frankenstein throws himself upon the body, and becomes almost mad . What are the most important Actions of Clerval? Henry Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. . Henry Clerval in Frankenstein definitely fits this description. "'Frankenstein' Characters." Also, William's death signals for the reader the end of Victor's belief that his actions can have no consequences. 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. 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? Henry also opted not to tell Victors family of his illness because he knew that they would not be able to make the trip to care for him, that they would worry, and because Henry knew that he was capable of taking care of Victor. Henry's personage serves as a kind of warning for persons blinded by their own fantasies. In this same chapter, Henry tells Victor that he practically went against his fathers will by going to college in the first place. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. They serve as an example of a makeshift family, dealing with loss and hardship but finding happiness in each others companionship. William is the one who killed the Monsters last hope to see something good in humankind. 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. Wed love to have you back! Characters in Frankenstein. Alphonses letters to Victor are full of concerns about Victors health and well-being. How does Frankenstein figure out that the Monster killed William? What he does not know is how badly Victor needs this human interaction, especially with a familiar face. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Though a close friend of Victor 's since childhood, he's almost his exact opposite in terms of his emotional life. Although mentioned only in one chapter of Frankenstein, De Laceys are essential for the development of the Monsters character. She is the daughter of a Turkish merchant who escaped from prison. Driven by the same passion, he stood at the beginning of the path that Victor had gone through. You Are One Click Away From Getting Your Work Done, Victor Frankenstein Is To Blame Mary Shelly Frankenstein. He wanders the streets of Ingolstadt until Henry Clerval finds him in poor condition. Justine Moritz is a servant girl who lived with Frankensteins after her mother rejected her. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Subscribe now. Despite their stark differences in personality, the two friends always supported each other. The doomed protagonist and narrator of the main portion of the story. Teachers and parents! Justine Moritz The housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. ", Here Shelley contrasts God's creation of Adam to Victor's creation of the monster. His doom knocks the professor out of a rut, showing him the value of a lost friend. Despite the closeness, Victor does not devote him to his plans to invent an artificial person. Caroline Frankenstein is Alphonses wife and Victors mother. He is desirous to be a true Swiss and to enter into foreign service.. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. He nurses him when Victor is ill, supports him when he is lost, and accompanies him to England. (Click the character infographic to download.). Continue to start your free trial. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victors story. He always admired the professor's genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. Victors friend. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Henry Clervals character plays an important role in the narrative. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. (one code per order). Henry Clerval plays an important role in Frankenstein by acting as a foil to Victor Frankenstein himself. He is obsessed with scientific achievement and glory, which drives him to discover the secret of manifesting life. Youre in the right place! SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Why do the townspeople accuse Frankenstein of murdering Clerval? Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. Victor Frankenstein is the main character of the novel. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Victor states, It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. I was indifferent, therefore, to my schoolfellows in general; but I united myself in the bonds of the closest friendship to one among them (Shelley 19). Character List Victor Frankenstein Creator of the monster. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have. Elizabeth is perhaps the primary example of the abandoned child in the novel, which is populated by many orphans and makeshift families. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. The hero respects an individual space of the scientist. He was passionate about human relationships and art. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. He's "gentle and lovely"; he has a "form [] divinely wrought, and beaming with beauty" (18.19). Out in the mountains, the monster finds Frankenstein and asks him for a female companion. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Henry spends the rest of the winter and spring nursing Victor back to health after the tumultuous fall. Henry Clerval was the friend of Victor Frankenstein. Henry Clerval Victor's dear friend from childhood. Studying in Ingolstadt, Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster, from whom he recoils in horror. About their background, the reader knows that they were exiled from France after Felix had helped Safies father to escape from prison. William Frankensteins death begins a series of tragedies in the family, including the execution of Justine Moritz, who was wrongfully executed for Williams murder. In the morning, Victor wanders the streets, alone with his conscience. He dreams of wandering the streets of Ingolstadt and seeing Elizabeth through the haze of the night. "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). How does the Monster learn to speak and read? Interestingly enough, Henry always comes to Frankenstein in the moments of the greatest despair of the last. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. victor's friend who studied folklore and liked poetry and writing. He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. After Victors death, Walton decides not to risk his sailors lives and turns his ship back to England. Alphonse Frankenstein (Victor's father) Caroline Beaufort/Frankenstein (Victor's mother) Ernest Frankenstein (Victor's younger brother) This depiction connects Clerval with romanticism. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# The monster's adopted family. Read More: Henry Clerval The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. Print. When he reveals himself to them, hoping for friendship, they beat him and chase him away. 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As adults, Frankenstein and Elizabeth reveal their romantic love for each other, and get engaged to be married. Frankenstein describes him as a generous, kind man who lives for passionate adventure and whose ambition in life is to do good. But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. While Clerval is in his element, spending time talking with men of talent, Victor is morose. Frankenstein describes Clerval as a boy. At the end of the novel, after hearing Frankenstein's story, Waltons ship becomes trapped by ice. It is enough for him to realize that the planet has not descended from its axis. Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? His reaction seems to suggest that the creature's monstrosity is too much for even the innocent. Sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of his. Not have a name tumultuous fall monster learn to speak and read, chances they. 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