2.3.3

Henry Clerval

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Henry Clerval

Henry Clerval is a beloved childhood friend of Victor's. Like Walton, Clerval could be described as a foil character to Victor. Like Elizabeth, Clerval is an innocent man murdered by the Monster.

Introduction

Introduction

  • As a beloved childhood friend of Victor, Henry Clerval is first described as a boy who loved "enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake" and is taught by Elizabeth to aim for "doing good" in the world.
Foil character

Foil character

  • Like Walton, Clerval could be described as a foil character to Victor.
    • He shares Frankenstein’s desire to achieve great things but does it without the level of obsession or isolation that Victor reaches.
Differences

Differences

  • Clerval’s character seems at odds with Victor’s at points, as he states he wishes to learn other languages and travel the world, showing an understanding and appreciation of different cultures and a socialness that is lacking in his school friend.
Potential

Potential

  • Shelley wants us to view Clerval as the man Victor could have become if he had made better choices.
  • Victor even comments that "in Clerval I saw the image of my former self."
Innocence

Innocence

  • Clerval is murdered by the Monster, which, just before Elizabeth’s cruel fate, appears to be another execution of a true innocent who didn’t deserve such a cruel fate.

What do we Know About Clerval?

Frankenstein’s friendship with Clerval shows the importance of companionship in the novel.

Companionship

Companionship

  • Frankenstein gains strength and comfort from having a friend who shares his experiences and feelings:
    • "Excellent friend! how sincerely you did love me, and endeavour to elevate my mind until it was on a level with your own!"
Contrast

Contrast

  • As a child, Clerval is described as being enamoured with "books of chivalry and romance".
  • This exemplifies his selfless and altruistic nature, which contrasts heavily with Victor.
Romantic figure

Romantic figure

  • He is often seen by critics as being representative of the archetypal Romantic figure; someone who takes delight in the natural world and appreciates the beauty around him with an "eye of feeling and delight."
  • Shelley uses a reference to a poem, 'The Story of Rimini', by radical Romantic Leigh Hunt in 1816, to describe Clerval, in Victor words, as the "very poetry of nature."
Jump to other topics
1

Narrative Structure

1.1

Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure1.1.2Narrative Distancing1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure
2

Character Summaries

2.1

Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton2.1.2Victor Frankenstein2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein
2.2

The Monster

2.2.1The Monster2.2.2The Monster 22.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster
2.3

Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza2.3.2Justine Moritz2.3.3Henry Clerval2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry
2.4

Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family2.4.2The De Lacey Family2.4.3Other Characters2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters
3

Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1

Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner3.1.3The Bible3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References
3.2

Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke3.2.2Thomas Paine3.2.3John Locke3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau3.2.5Historical Figures3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories
4

Biographic Context

4.1

Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety4.1.3Literary Legend4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context
5

Chapter Summaries

5.1

Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 25.1.2Letters 3 & 45.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters
5.2

Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-25.2.2Chapters 3-45.2.3Chapters 5-65.2.4Chapters 7-95.2.5Chapters 10-115.2.6Chapters 12-155.2.7Chapters 16-195.2.8Chapters 20-235.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-65.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-155.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-235.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters
6

Key Themes

6.1

Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge6.1.2Science & Society6.1.3Loss & Companionship6.1.4Connection to Nature6.1.5Injustice
6.2

Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes6.2.2Industrialised University Cities6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations
7

Recap: Main Quotes

7.1

Characters Quotes

7.1.1Walton - Quotations7.1.2Victor Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.3The Monster - Quotations7.1.4The Educational Texts - Quotations7.1.5Elizabeth Lavenza - Quotations7.1.6Justine Moritz - Quotations7.1.7Henry Clerval - Quotations7.1.8Alphonse Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.9The De Lacey Family - Quotations
7.2

Quotes by Chapters

7.2.1Letters 1 & 2 - Quotations7.2.2Letters 3 & 4 - Quotations7.2.3Chapters 1-6 - Quotations7.2.4Chapters 7-13 - Quotations7.2.5Chapters 14-20 - Quotations7.2.6Chapters 21-24 & Waton's Last Letters - Quotations

Practice questions on Henry Clerval

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  1. 1
    How does Clerval die?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which poem does Shelley reference to describe Clerval?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What do critics often think of Clerval?Multiple choice
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Justine Moritz

End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry