In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor receives compassion from his family and long-time friend, Henry Clerval. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. Such a man has a double existence: he m… Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. Victor then goes on to describe that Henry is a talented person when it comes to writing, business work, and has an adventurous spirit.
The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. William Frankenstein It would take someone with dedication and sincere kindness to stick with a person through this difficult journey, and Henry does just that without much hesitation, it seems. There are other characters that portray the theme of sanity; however, during Henry’s 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. Henry Clerval in Frankenstein. He prefers the arts as opposed to the sciences. Victor describes him as an only child, "the son of a merchant of Geneva, an intimate friend of my father. But after much convincing, Henry sets out to Ingolstadt, where Victor studied, to pursue his dream of furthering his education. Shelley writes, “ ‘This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has been consumed in my sick room’” (Shelley 39). Seeing the novel through the eyes of Clerval makes us see Frankenstein as more of an emotional man than a logical one. Shelley writes, “ ‘This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has been consumed in my sick room’” (Shelley 39). Therefore, this definitely says a lot about Henry’s character. Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Henry Clerval functions in the novel as: the good and faithful friend, another member of the supportive circle from Frankenstein's childhood; like other members of that circle, he is ultimately powerless to save Victor from himself. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. Victor states, “This was the commencement of a nervous fever, which confined me for several months. The reader has to sense the significance of Henry in chapter five. Comparison with other characters. Once Victor is back to normal, or at least healthy, he and Henry set out to leave for their hometown, Geneva. Clerval is described in the novel as having a "noble spirit," He is a kind, amiable character and one that Victor thinks very highly of. Excited and disgusted at "the monster" he had created, he runs from the apartment..Chapter five is the first instance that readers actually get to meet Henry Clerval. Not long after arriving, Victor starts acting strange, “I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. To be taking care of your friend for such a long period of time, then think that he is finally better, only to realize that he is still sick. Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. The phrase ‘young buds were shooting forth from trees that shaded my window. Caroline Frankenstein adopts Elizabeth when she's five from a family of poor Italian people (it's okay, though: she's really the daughter of an Italian nobleman). Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. It is important to keep in mind that Henry is supposed to be focusing on his studies at this time in his life; however, he is spending his time nursing his dear friend back to health. His cheerfulness counters Victor’s moroseness. 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). Friend and schoolfellow of Victor and Elizabeth from childhood; murdered by the Creature. While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victor’s family because Victor is unable to do so. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victor’s sanity. The Characterization of Henry Clerval essaysWhen creating a character, the author must take into consideration the many different attributes that this character should or shouldn't have. He was a boy of singular talent and fancy" . 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.
He was a boy of singular talent and fancy" (I:1:11). Once Victor is back to normal, or at least healthy, he and Henry set out to leave for their hometown, Geneva. Henry also opted not to tell Victor’s 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. He shows up at just the right time to presumably save the life of Victor. 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. Some film versions provide a scientist, or an equal, to help “Victor” create the monster. Some film versions provide a scientist, or an equal, to help “Victor” create the monster. Main Themes Victor also says that he had “frequent relapses” (Shelley 39). Mary Shelley Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community. And due to not knowing him very well, they would not have done anything about it. Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. During all that time Henry was my only nurse” (Shelley 38). Frankenstein and the Scientific Revolution. Clerval’s story runs parallel to Frankenstein’s, illustrating the connection between Frankenstein’s outsized ambition and the more commonplace ambitions of ordinary men.It is apparent that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the novel. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. Clerval believes he has found “the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade” in India. It would take someone with dedication and sincere kindness to stick with a person through this difficult journey, and Henry does just that without much hesitation, it seems. 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.
May 28, 2020 by Essay Writer. Henry also opted not to tell Victor’s 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. Compassion He always admired the professor’s genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. Henry had come to see about his friend and to enroll at the university. As mentioned before, Henry serves as Victor’s foil character. Even though Victor is not necessarily mean, he definitely shows signs of selfishness. It is important to keep in mind that Henry is supposed to be focusing on his studies at this time in his life; however, he is spending his time nursing his dear friend back to health. Frankenstein draws strength and comfort from having a friend who shares his experiences and feelings: “Excellent friend! Frankenstein. Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. Frankenstein suggests a parallel between Clerval’s discovery and his own creation of the Monster when he argues that colonialism is the work of ambitious men like him. 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. Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. Henry Clerval Description Henry Clerval is Victor’s dear childhood friends, who nurses Victor back to health. Victor states, “but when he observed me more attentively he saw a wildness in my eyes for which he could not account” (Shelley 38). He studies language at the University of Ingolstadt and is totally unaware of Victor's creation. Discover and share Henry Clerval Quotes. The monster has asked him to build a mate, a female monster, in return for a promise that he would go away to the rain forest in South America and never bother Victor again. One could say that Henry serves as a breath of fresh air for Victor and brings him back to reality during this interaction. Henry Clerval. Henry and Victor are presented as opposites. If we take the view of Henry Clerval, we only see Frankenstein’s extremes. After the two get caught up on each other’s lives they head to Victor’s apartment. A detailed description and in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. 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. Henry Clerval: Henry is Victor’s best friend and follows him to Ingolstadt to help Victor recover from an illness. Introducing Clerval to Ingolstadt's professors is pure torture, in that they unfailingly exclaim over Victor's scientific prowess. The reader has to sense the significance of Henry in chapter five. 66) “Clerval, whole eyes and feelings were always quick in discerning the sensations of others, declined the subject, alleging, in excuse, his total ignorance; and the conversation took a more general turn. Henry states, “‘I will not mention it, if it agitates you; but your father and cousin would be very happy if they received a letter from you in your own handwriting. After the two get caught up on each other’s lives they head to Victor’s apartment. At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions, seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth. Their friendship began in childhood and continued into adulthood. Summary. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein’s closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, An Academic Wiki, http://wordpress.clarku.edu/kasmerivanhoe/roles/henry-clerval-2/, https://mary-shelley.fandom.com/wiki/Henry_Clerval?oldid=8301. Not long after arriving, Victor starts acting strange, “I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. 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). Clerval sees his dear friend who has been driven crazy by his studies, and by an unknown experience. The Monster kills him after Victor breaks his promise to create a companion female monster. 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). Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is an 1818 novel written by English author Mary Shelley (1797–1851) that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Henry Clerval. They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence’ =” (Shelley 39). At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. 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). It is apparent that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the novel. 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. 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. To be taking care of your friend for such a long period of time, then think that he is finally better, only to realize that he is still sick. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Henry Clerval http://wordpress.clarku.edu/kasmerivanhoe/roles/henry-clerval-2/, Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein’s closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character.