2.3.4

Henry Clerval

Test yourself on Henry Clerval

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Summary of Henry Clerval's Character

Henry Clerval is Victor’s childhood friend, who proves to be very loyal to Victor throughout the novel. Clerval is eventually murdered by the Monster, and Victor is accused of the crime.

Contrast to Victor

Contrast to Victor

  • Victor and Clerval contrast each other throughout the novel: as boys, they are interested in different things, and this continues into adulthood.
  • Throughout the novel, Clerval is seen to have a much brighter temperament than Victor, and his good cheer serves to counteract Victor’s sullenness, depression, and how self-centred he is.
Neglected by Victor

Neglected by Victor

  • Although Clerval and Victor’s friendship is very close and Clerval cares for him deeply, Victor still does not feel able to tell him the truth about what it is that troubles him.
  • This further exaggerates Victor’s isolation and highlights the manner in which he neglects his friends and family and rejects their support.

Henry Clerval - Key Quotations

Henry Clerval is Victor’s childhood friend, who proves to be very loyal to Victor throughout the novel. Clerval is eventually murdered by the Monster, and Victor is accused of the crime.

Contrast to Victor

Contrast to Victor

  • 'He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance.' (Chapter 2).
    • In childhood, Clerval's interests clearly differ to Victor's.
    • He is less interested in science, showing more of an affinity for literature and more human endeavours.
    • This is one of the ways in which Shelley sets up a contrast between the two friends.
Family

Family

  • 'His father was a narrow-minded trader, and saw idleness and ruin in the aspirations and ambition of his son.' (Chapter 3).
    • Victor is critical of Clerval's father's lack of support of his education.
    • This could be read as being ironic, as Victor never seems to truly appreciate the support and encouragement of his own family.
Victor's response to Clerval's death

Victor's response to Clerval's death

  • 'I entered the room where the corpse lay, and was led up to the coffin. How can I describe my sensations on beholding it? I feel yet parched with horror, nor can I reflect on that terrible moment without shuddering and agony [...] I gasped for breath; and, throwing myself on the body, I exclaimed, "Have my murderous machinations deprived you also, my dearest Henry, of life?"' (Volume Three: Chapter 4).
    • The vision of Clerval's corpse seems to have a physical impact on Victor.
    • Shelley shows how the vision impacts Victor emotionally.
    • He becomes aware of his own involvement in the deaths of his friends and family.
Jump to other topics
1

Plot Summaries

1.1

Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV1.1.2Chapters 1-31.1.3Chapters 4-61.1.4Chapters 7-81.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I
1.2

Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-31.2.2Chapters 4-61.2.3Chapters 7-91.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II
1.3

Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-31.3.2Chapters 4-61.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III
2

Characters

2.1

Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role2.1.2Quotations2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein
2.2

The Monster

2.2.1Role2.2.2Quotations2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract
2.3

Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein2.3.4Henry Clerval2.3.5Justine Moritz2.3.6The De Laceys2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys
3

Key Themes

3.1

Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation3.1.2Key Quotations
3.2

Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.3

Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations3.3.2End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice
3.4

Companionship & Family

3.4.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.5

Revenge

3.5.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.6

Monstrosity

3.6.1Presentation3.6.2Key Quotations
3.7

Gender

3.7.1Presentation3.7.2Key Quotations3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More
4

Authorial Method

4.1

Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre4.1.2Intertextuality4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality
4.2

Form & Structure

4.2.1Form4.2.2Structure
4.3

Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings4.3.2Symbolism
4.4

Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery4.4.2Doubling4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More
5

Context

5.1

Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley5.1.2Time of Writing5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Victor Frankenstein6.1.2Quotations6.1.3Robert Walton6.1.4Elizabeth Lavenza6.1.5Alphonse Frankenstein6.1.6Henry Clerval6.1.7Justine Moritz6.1.8The De Laceys
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge6.2.2Prejudice6.2.3Justice6.2.4Companionship & Family6.2.5Revenge6.2.6Monstrosity6.2.7Gender

Practice questions on Henry Clerval

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which is a trait of Clerval's temperament? Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Ways in which Victor and Henry contrast: True / false
  3. 3
    Ways Clerval's corpse is shown to have a physical impact on Victor:True / false
  4. 4
    Who does the following quotation refer to? <br> __'He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance.'__ (Chapter 2).Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Which chapter is the following quotation found? <br> __'He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance.'__ Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Henry Clerval

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Alphonse Frankenstein

Justine Moritz