Henry Clerval - Quotations
English Lit: Edexcel A Level Frankenstein, topic 7.1.7
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
- 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
- Victor comments that "in Clerval I saw the image of my former self."
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
- 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."