7.1.7

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.

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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.
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The man Victor could have been

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

1Narrative Structure

2Character Summaries

3Intertextuality & Allusions

4Biographic Context

5Chapter Summaries

6Key Themes

7Recap: Main Quotes

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