Henry Clerval

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

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

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

'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

'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

'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.

1Plot Summaries

1.1Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV

1.1.2Chapters 1-3

1.1.3Chapters 4-6

1.1.4Chapters 7-8

1.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I

1.2Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-3

1.2.2Chapters 4-6

1.2.3Chapters 7-9

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II

1.3Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-3

1.3.2Chapters 4-6

1.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III

2Characters

2.1Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role

2.1.2Quotations

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1Role

2.2.2Quotations

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract

2.3Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton

2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein

2.3.4Henry Clerval

2.3.5Justine Moritz

2.3.6The De Laceys

2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse

2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys

3Key Themes

3.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation

3.1.2Key Quotations

3.2Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice

3.4Companionship & Family

3.4.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.5Revenge

3.5.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.6Monstrosity

3.6.1Presentation

3.6.2Key Quotations

3.7Gender

3.7.1Presentation

3.7.2Key Quotations

3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More

4Authorial Method

4.1Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre

4.1.2Intertextuality

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality

4.2Form & Structure

4.2.1Form

4.2.2Structure

4.3Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings

4.3.2Symbolism

4.4Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery

4.4.2Doubling

4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More

5Context

5.1Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley

5.1.2Time of Writing

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context

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