Frankenstein constantly praises Elizabeth as a beautiful, saintly, gentle presence in his life. Contact us If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. . Henry Clerval personifies the only support of Dr. Victor from the monster created by him. On her wedding night, the Monster murders her. Clervals story runs parallel to Frankensteins, illustrating the connection between Frankensteins outsized ambition and the more commonplace ambitions of ordinary men. 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. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Walton dreams of exploring the unknown by setting his foot on a dangerous land just as Frankenstein dreams to penetrate the secrets of life and death by creating a being from the dead. (2021, September 8). 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. Ingolstadt. Frankenstein draws strength and comfort from having a friend who shares his experiences and feelings: Excellent friend! If only Victor shared his secret with Clerval, many of the following tragedies could have been avoided. Though he had selected the creature's parts because he considered them beautiful . Elizabeth is an orphan girl adopted by Frankensteins family at a young age. Victor sees his creation as beautiful and yet repugnant, versus the creation story taken from the Bible in which God sees his creation of Adam as "good.". Character Description; Victor Frankenstein: Frankenstein is the scientist who created the Monster. Frankensteins character analysis suggests that his ambitions and passion for knowledge caused his downfall. Read More: Henry Clerval Henry Clerval He loved enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake. | Victors experiments were prompted not so much by the desire to make the discovery for the benefit of mankind, but by his own vanity. Both men grew up in Geneva. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein's closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Henry had come to see about his friend and to enroll at the university. In the 1931 version of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein the creator of the monster is named, Henry Frankenstein. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. 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. Victor then goes on to describe that Henry is a talented person when it comes to writing, business work, and has an adventurous spirit. I, who have so disinterested an affection for you, may increase your miseries tenfold by being an obstacle to your wishes, she writes to Victor. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. The professor of chemistry who sparks Victors interest in science. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Why does Frankenstein destroy the Monsters female companion? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Why does Frankenstein first agree to make his Monster a companion? He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England. IvyPanda. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and fear. Despite his outward ugliness, he turned out to be actually kind and sensitive. Through Robert Walton, Frankenstein tells his story to the reader. There are four children in his family, including Elizabeth Lavenza, who is Alphonse Frankensteins adopted daughter. At the beginning of the book, Frankenstein appears to be an enthusiastic young man, fascinated with science and secrets of nature. Print. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Sometimes it can end up there. Robert writes to her detailing the events that transpire on the voyage and Victor's story. Elizabeth is a stunningly beautiful and remarkably pure girl whom Victor's mother adopts. from your Reading List will also remove any Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone? It shows that in this male whose eyes were expressing wildness andmadness Robert recognized his own self. Sometimes it can end up there. He is adventurous and wants to be known and famous. However, little did he know that his support would result in the creation of a murderous Monster. This serves as a minute but intelligent decision on Henrys part. He is capable of love and compassion. The monster learns how to speak and interact by observing them. Clerval believes he has found the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade in India. However, readers actually meet Henry in chapter five of the novel when Victor has just finished creating the monster. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! This note of happiness sends Victor into a fit of joy, knowing that his creation is no longer there. William Frankensteins death begins a series of tragedies in the family, including the execution of Justine Moritz, who was wrongfully executed for Williams murder. Victor describes him as an only child, "the son of a merchant of Geneva, an intimate friend of my father. 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. Chapter 5: On a chill night of November, Victor finally brings his creation to life. He serves as Frankenstein's foil: his academic and philosophical pursuits are humane, rather than scientific. Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval William Frankenstein for a group? She is the daughter of a Turkish merchant who escaped from prison. He shows up at just the right time to presumably save the life of Victor. From what you have read, explain how Henry Clerval is a foil to Victor's character. Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. He created a living being, but he failed to hold himself accountable for what he had done. 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? bookmarked pages associated with this title. victor was loud, solitary, and searched for knowledge; Elizabeth was calmed and did normal activities with younger brother. Henry Clerval is Frankenstein's best friend and a positive character. Frankenstein. Walton is the sea captain and the main narrator of the book. Not long after arriving, Victor starts acting strange, I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. Margaret Saville Robert's sister. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Below is a Frankenstein character map that describes the novels main characters and their relationships. The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henrysmurder. He dismisses Victors study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist of the novel. whose work does victor pursue in his reading . Henry Clerval Elizabeth Lavenza Alphonse Frankenstein William Frankenstein Justine Moritz Caroline Frankenstein. The hero is not interested in science, trying to do the right things. What he does not know is how badly Victor needs this human interaction, especially with a familiar face. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. Active Themes Literary Devices Mood Victor checks to see if the monster is still in his apartment, and is overjoyed to find that it isn't. He invites Clerval up, but once there falls ill with a "nervous fever," which lasts for months. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Subscribe now. Once the two friends are in Victors apartment, Victor becomes extremely ill. Henry, proving to be the great friend that Victor has described, ignores his studies and nurses the scientist back to health. The creature longs to live with them, but when he reveals himself to the peasants, they drive him away out of terror. Every article is well-structured and easy to navigate, so everyone will find what theyre looking for in an instant. Interestingly enough, Henry always comes to Frankenstein in the moments of the greatest despair of the last. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Frankenstein describes him as a generous, kind man who lives for passionate adventure and whose ambition in life is to do good. "'Frankenstein' Characters." 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. About Frankenstein, Next He is confronted with a choice (which happens to parallel the thematic crossroads faced by Frankenstein): go ahead with his expedition, risking his own life and those of his crewmen, or return home to his family and abandon his dreams of glory. Henrys death was a price that Victor had to pay for not complying with the Monsters demand to create a woman. Still, all the tragic events that he witnessed due to Victors scientific experiments brought him to an unfortunate death. Although tall and enormously strong, the Monster came to life helpless and confused. 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. Not only was she doomed to die suffering for evil deeds of others, but she also confessed to the crime she did not commit. Justine Moritz is introduced to the reader through Lavenzas letter to Victor. creating and saving your own notes as you read. 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. A merchant and friend of Victors father; the father of Caroline Beaufort. Justine Moritz, the orphan nanny, is framed for his death and later hanged for the alleged crime. Despite her lowly background, the family loved and respected Justine. (Click the character infographic to download.). Felix and Safie fall in love. Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. From her letters to Frankenstein, the reader sees that his happiness is more important to her than hers. Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. 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. Eventually Victor and Elizabeth marry. from your Reading List will also remove any 'Frankenstein' Characters. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed?. Victor states, It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. They hardly know how ill you have been, and are uneasy at your long silence = (Shelley 39). 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. Throughout the novel Victor is shown to lack empathy, whereas Clerval is the antithesis of this. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! The family is comprised of the old, blind father De Lacey, his son Felix, and his daughter Agatha. He's into the "moral relations of things," a tricky phrase that means something like, "how to be a good person." Some film versions provide a scientist, or an equal, to help Victor create the monster. Unable to find compassion in the world of men, the Monster took revenge on Victor and killed all his family.In turn, Dr. Frankenstein isolated himself from the world and devoted his life to revenging the Monster. Her death is the first tragedy in Frankensteins family. Although mentioned only in one chapter of Frankenstein, De Laceys are essential for the development of the Monsters character. He is obsessed with scientific achievement and glory, which drives him to discover the secret of manifesting life. Not only is he basically the most perfect man ever to live"a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature'" (18.17), to use Victor's alarmingly enthusiastic phrasehe's also eye candy. The reader learns about William Frankenstein from Elizabeths letter to Victor. Why doesn't he keep Victor from creating a murderous monster? 2022, ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/characters/. The significance of this excerpt from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner cannot be underestimated. Characters. Pearson, Julia. New York: Dover Publications, 1994. Continue to start your free trial. Victor Frankenstein Creator of the monster. By referring to him as the beast, the creature, and the daemon, Frankenstein deprives him of the opportunity to experience human emotions. Therefore, this definitely says a lot about Henrys character. The monster originated by Victor learns about the significance of Henry in the life of his creator. Clerval is first described as a boy who loved "enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake." The creature lives for some time in a hovel joined to a cottage, which is inhabited by the De Laceys, a peasant family. Victor also says that he had frequent relapses (Shelley 39). He did not know good from evil, could not talk, and had no understanding of his own self. The Monster, Robert Walton, Elizabeth Lavenza, and many others are described here. Through trial and error, he learned that he was very different from others and that people would never accept him. 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. Why? Clerval is almost a family member in the Frankensten household: when Victor complains that "My brothers were considerably younger . She disobeyed her father by refusing to return to Turkey. 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. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Despite their stark differences in personality, the two friends always supported each other. Prejudiced humanity hated the Monster for his ugliness, while the creatures only dream was to love and be loved. Antithesis of this excerpt from the monster for his death and later hanged for the crime. If only Victor shared his secret with Clerval, many of the book Frankenstein... 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