ensure the integrity of our platform while keeping your private information safe. Frankensteins character analysis suggests that his ambitions and passion for knowledge caused his downfall. Why? Both men grew up in Geneva. Clerval - "How sincerely you did love me, and endeavour to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!". Agatha De Lacey; Alphonse Frankenstein; Caroline Frankenstein; Daniel Nugent; Elizabeth Lavenza Frankenstein Victor's childhood friend Henry is just the pinnacle of awesomeness. Alphonse made everything possible to make his children happy. She grows up with Victor and later becomes Frankensteins wife. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. There are four children in his family, including Elizabeth Lavenza, who is Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter. Frankenstein fails to deliver this promise, and out of revenge, the creature murders Frankenstein's loved ones, thus transforming into the monster he has always appeared to be. He grew up in a prosperous Swiss family, surrounded by love and care. Clerval - loving "enterprise, hardship and even danger". Unlike Victor, from early childhood, he was not interested in science. Thus, the creature is a complicated antagonisthe is a murderer and a monster, but he began his life as a compassionate, misunderstood soul searching for love. Henry is fascinated with the heroes of Roncesvalles, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the knights of the Crusades. IvyPanda. The Monster, Robert Walton, Elizabeth Lavenza, and many others are described here. His cheerfulness counters Victor's moroseness. He dies alone, searching for the monster, and expresses to Captain Walton the necessity of sacrifice for a greater good. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. After she dies of. Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. No missing pages. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. 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. You'll also receive an email with the link. Despite the similarities, in the end, Walton turns out to be more prudent and sensible than Frankenstein. Shelley layers into the novel a passage from Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which makes a reference to a person who wanders the streets with a demon or fiend following him. Both men are drawn to danger and hardship, in a spirit of adventure. After spending his adolescence reading outdated theories on alchemy and the philosophers stone, Frankenstein goes to university, where he succeeds in germinating life. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victors story. De Lacey. At first Henry thought that Victor was acting this way because he was excited that Henry was visiting him since they had not seen one another in such a long time. Victors friend. 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 dismisses Victors study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. kindness and tenderness amidst his passion, always quick in discerning the sensations of others, a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature. 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. He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. "Characters." Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Victor's mother. "Characters." She prioritizes the needs of others over her own. The monster strangles William in the woods outside Geneva in order to hurt Victor for abandoning him. Justine Moritz The housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. Henry Clerval In Percy Bysshe Shelley's first major poem, Queen Mab , the male friend (and author-surrogate) who awaits the dreaming Ianthe's awakening is named Henry. bookmarked pages associated with this title. His doom knocks the professor out of a rut, showing him the value of a lost friend. Removing #book# 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. ThoughtCo, Sep. 8, 2021, thoughtco.com/frankenstein-characters-4580219. The Frankensteins treated her as a part of the household. IvyPanda. 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? "Characters." 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. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. If Henry lacked this it would be very unlikely that Victor would want to be so close to him. Victor describes him as having a "noble spirit," of being "perfectly humane, so thoughtful in his generosity, so full of kindness and tenderness amidst his passion " (2.5)in other words, almost the exact opposite of Victor himself. Victor describes him as an only child, "the son of a merchant of Geneva, an intimate friend of my father. The authors characterization of Caroline suggests that she is an excellent example of virtuous womanhood. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. He always admired the professor's genius and inexhaustible imagination, detracting from own talents. In framing the story, he serves as a proxy for the reader. Victor and Henry Go to England. Clerval believes he has found the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India. He is capable of love and compassion. I had rather be with you in your solitary rambles, than with these Scotch people whom I do not know; hasten the, my dear friend, to return, that I may again feel myself somewhat at home, which I cannot do in your absence. All the Frankensteins adore Elizabeth, and Victor quickly begins to "protect, love, and cherish" her. The De Lacey family M. De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and Safie. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Free trial is available to new customers only. Frankenstein. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor's footsteps as a scientist. Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. Henry Clerval He loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake. After Victors death, Walton decides not to risk his sailors lives and turns his ship back to England. Justine Moritz, the orphan nanny, is framed for his death and later hanged for the alleged crime. A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. Frankenstein represents the dangers of enlightenment and the responsibilities that come with great knowledge. 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. In a word, he is the absolute opposite of Victor, eager for recognition and power. He demonstrates the importance of empathy and society, and as his character deteriorates into cruelty, he stands as an example of what can happen when the basic human need for connection is not fulfilled. When he walks into the chamber, he is overcome with horror: the lifeless form of Henry Clerval lies before him. Caroline Frankenstein is Alphonses wife and Victors mother. Also like Frankenstein, Clerval makes a discovery at university. 2022, ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. Shelley writes, This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has been consumed in my sick room (Shelley 39). What is the function of Clerval in the novel? Though a close friend of Victor 's since childhood, he's almost his exact opposite in terms of his emotional life. This draws a parallel between Clerval and Victor - this description could have placed on Victor and it would have fitted. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Characters. While Victor was able to go off and study science in college, Henrys father attempted to discourage Henry from furthering his education because he wanted Henry to remain a businessman for him. Because Victor never tells him. Elizabeth is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably pure girl whom Victor's mother adopts. The Gothic elements that can be found in this chapter are the grotesque (description of the monster's features), the eerie environment (Victor's lab at 1 a.m.), the undead quality, and some type of psychic communication (Victor's feeling of being followed). Clerval is at least partly drawn as a portrait of an idealized Shelley. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. Pearson, Julia. Presents the compassion of Clerval as a character - something Victor does not bear. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Afterward, he took care of Beauforts poor daughter, Caroline, who later became his wife. Characters in Frankenstein. How does the Monster learn to speak and read? 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. 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). The significance of this poem in relation to this novel can be interpreted two ways. However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. March 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. What's the deal with that? for a group? However, readers actually meet Henry in chapter five of the novel when Victor has just finished creating the monster. Youre in the right place! Characters: Clerval. Along with getting an understanding of what love and care are, he learns to read and speak the language. Seeking revenge on the creature he gave life to, Victor turns into a monster himself. Why does Frankenstein leave Elizabeth alone on their wedding night? The Arctic seafarer whose letters open and closeFrankenstein. Purchasing Out in the mountains, the monster finds Frankenstein and asks him for a female companion. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Henry and Victor return to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. Throughout the novel Victor is shown to lack empathy, whereas Clerval is the antithesis of this. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Would this whole tragedy somehow been averted if Clerval had been a good enough friend to make Victor confess? Elizabeth later becomes Victor's wife and is killed by the monster on their honeymoon. SparkNotes PLUS 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. Clerval - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart". Henry was later murdered by the Monster after Victor created and destroyed the Bride of Frankenstein. Read an in-depth analysis of Robert Walton. This presents the conflict between Romanticism and the Enlightenment, but also Shelley suggests that Romanticism may be superior. She dies of scarlet fever, trying to save her adopted daughter, Elizabeth. He is fascinated with science. on 50-99 accounts. 4 appearance(s) of Henry Clerval (Earth . While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victors family because Victor is unable to do so. The Enlightenment bears overreaching, whereas Romanticism leads to "sensibility" and control of even a "wild imagination". Victor Frankenstein is the main character of the novel. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. Chapter five is the first instance that readers actually get to meet Henry Clerval. Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. 22. The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. Why does Frankenstein destroy the Monsters female companion? Through scientific experiments, he created a Monster, whom he later accused of killing his entire family. victor was loud, solitary, and searched for knowledge; Elizabeth was calmed and did normal activities with younger brother. Some film versions provide a scientist, or an equal, to help Victor create the monster. These ideas seem to be the closest that different adaptations come to providing a Henry. Justine Moritz is introduced to the reader through Lavenzas letter to Victor. While Victor blows up his mom's garage with a chemistry set, Henry is reading superhero comics. It is enough for him to realize that the planet has not descended from its axis. As adults, Frankenstein and Elizabeth reveal their romantic love for each other, and get engaged to be married. Henry is famous for his kindness and tenderness for his wife and close friends. Driven by his isolation and misery, the creature turns to violence. Victors tragic story makes him reconsider his own ambitious moves. The De Lacey family is a household of three members an old blind man and his children, Felix and Agata. . My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! Below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships. Chapter 5. But the insight of Clerval allows him to guess about a future catastrophe quickly. Central Idea Essay: Is the Monster in Frankenstein Good? Henry Clerval, the son of a merchant of Geneva, is Frankensteins friend from childhood. He's into the "moral relations of things," a tricky phrase that means something like, "how to be a good person." Victor's sister by adoption, and later his wife. Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance offamily. His reaction seems to suggest that the creature's monstrosity is too much for even the innocent. Henry Clervals character plays an important role in the narrative. 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