7.1.7

Henry Clerval - Quotations

Test yourself on Henry Clerval - Quotations

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Quotations About 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 murdered by the Monster.

Young Clerval

Young Clerval

  • A boy who loved "enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake".
  • Is taught by Elizabeth to aim for "doing good" in the world.
  • 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.
The man Victor could have been

The man Victor could have been

  • Victor comments that "in Clerval I saw the image of my former self."
Companion for Victor

Companion for Victor

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

Victor's words on Henry

  • 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

2

Character Summaries

3

Intertextuality & Allusions

4

Biographic Context

5

Chapter Summaries

6

Key Themes

7

Recap: Main Quotes

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