In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor receives compassion from his family and long-time friend, Henry Clerval. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft.
,Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. It is not far-fetched to say that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein. Victor’s nostalgia disappears when he sees Henry and learns that Henry is just beginning school at Ingolstadt. Victor states, “It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. Even though Victor is not necessarily mean, he definitely shows signs of selfishness. However, he does not inform them of Victor’s illness because it would only worry them and his dad would not be able to make the journey (Shelley 39). Mary Shelley Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community.
The most obvious way that Henry exemplifies the theme of compassion is the actual act of taking care of Victor while he is unable to care for himself.
This would have to be frustrating. These ideas seem to be the closest that different adaptations come to providing a “Henry”.. During all that time Henry was my only nurse” (Shelley 38). First, we watch as Victor loses touch with his family, his moral compass, and his … Given that Henry only shows up in a few select scenes in the novel, it is easy to omit his role when this story is transferred into a motion picture. When Victor's father questions Victor's commitment to Elizabeth, his bride to be, Victor tells him that he needs space. Frankenstein suggests a parallel between Clerval’s discovery and his own creation of the Monster when he argues that colonialism is the work of ambitious men like him. To be taking care of your friend for such a long period of time, then think that he is finally better, only to realize that he is still sick. Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. Henry Clerval is Victor’s boyhood friend from Geneva. The existence of Henry Clerval helps Mary Shelley to convey several themes. Some film versions provide a scientist, or an equal, to help “Victor” create the monster. Not long after arriving, Victor starts acting strange, “I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. Therefore, this definitely says a lot about Henry’s character. He is obsessed with … Even though Victor is not necessarily mean, he definitely shows signs of selfishness. One could say that Henry serves as a breath of fresh air for Victor and brings him back to reality during this interaction. The fact that Henry was mentioned by Victor so many time in the last volume, made Clerval’s death that much more significant and difficult not just for Victor, but for the reader as well. In this same chapter, Henry tells Victor that he practically went against his father’s will by going to college in the first place. "He had apparently been strangled, for there was no sign of any violence except the black mark of fingers on his neck." Victor describes Clerval as having a vast imagination, a sensitive heart, and boundless love of nature. This is smart thinking on Henry’s part because Victor is finally showing signs of lasting progress and he knows how much Victor’s family means to him. At first Henry thought that Victor was acting this way because he was excited that Henry was visiting him since they had not seen one another in such a long time. This is smart thinking on Henry’s part because Victor is finally showing signs of lasting progress and he knows how much Victor’s family means to him. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other. It is important to keep in mind that Henry is supposed to be focusing on his studies at this time in his life; however, he is spending his time nursing his dear friend back to health. Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein’s closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Contrast Victor's academic interests with those of his friend, Henry Clerval. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victor’s sanity. He prefers the arts as opposed to the sciences. Like Victor, he hopes to … Shelley writes, “ ‘This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has been consumed in my sick room’” (Shelley 39). Comparison with other characters. The reader has to sense the significance of Henry in chapter five. Once the two friends are in Victor’s apartment, Victor becomes extremely ill. Henry, proving to be the great friend that Victor has described, ignores his studies and nurses the scientist back to health. Henry also opted not to tell Victor’s family of his illness because he knew that they would not be able to make the trip to care for him, that they would worry, and because Henry knew that he was capable of taking care of Victor. Frankenstein and the Scientific Revolution. Henry Clerval http://wordpress.clarku.edu/kasmerivanhoe/roles/henry-clerval-2/, Henry Clerval serves as Victor Frankenstein’s closest and most sincere friend, as well as his foil character. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him. The Characterization of Henry Clerval essaysWhen creating a character, the author must take into consideration the many different attributes that this character should or shouldn't have. Henry Clerval might just be the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself. Their friendship began in childhood and continued into adulthood. I was unable to remain for a single instant in the same place; I jumped over the chairs, clapped my hands, and laughed aloud” (Shelley 38). Therefore, this definitely says a lot about Henry’s character. ,While Henry plays a significant role in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein his role is almost completely diminished in the film adaptations of the novel.
It is apparent that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the novel. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. May 28, 2020 by Essay Writer. When he walks into the chamber, he is overcome with horror: the … Print. It would take someone with dedication and sincere kindness to stick with a person through this difficult journey, and Henry does just that without much hesitation, it seems. MetaNarrative Henry Clerval is seen as the only thing keeping Victor from being a monster himself.Victor describes him as having a "noble spirit," of being "perfectly humane, so thoughtful in his generosity, so full of kindness and Henry Clerval: Henry is Victor’s best friend and follows him to Ingolstadt to help Victor recover from an illness. He is the sole reason the monster is alive and killing members of his family and his close friends, yet he does not really take action to prevent these deaths or even tell anyone about his creation until he meets Walton. Henry Clerval Friend and schoolfellow of Victor and Elizabeth from childhood; murdered by the Creature. Henry states, “‘I will not mention it, if it agitates you; but your father and cousin would be very happy if they received a letter from you in your own handwriting. Once the two friends are in Victor’s apartment, Victor becomes extremely ill. Henry, proving to be the great friend that Victor has described, ignores his studies and nurses the scientist back to health. Henry studies languages at the university and nurses Victor through his breakdowns, setting aside his own studies to do so.
Victor describes him as an only child, "the son of a merchant of Geneva, an intimate friend of my father. If Henry lacked this it would be very unlikely that Victor would want to be so close to him. Explore our collection of motivational and famous quotes by authors you know and love. The Role of Henry Clerval: Henry Clerval, who is a doctor in his own right, plays a key role in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.He also ends up paying dearly for his relationship with Victor Frankenstein. And due to not knowing him very well, they would not have done anything about it. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor’s footsteps as a scientist. Clerval believes he has found “the means of materially assisting the progress of European colonization and trade” in India. This is a pleasurable sight for Victor as the weather was so uninviting earlier on in the chapter. Victor states, “It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to a few. Victor Frankenstein. Victor describes him as having a "noble spirit," of being "perfectly humane, so thoughtful in his generosity, so full of kindness and tenderness amidst his passion" (2.5)—in other words, almost the exact opposite of Victor himself. Chapter twenty-one is the last readers hear of Henry where Frankenstein's monster murders him.While Henry plays a significant role in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein his role is almost completely diminished in the film adaptations of the novel. It is not far-fetched to say that Victor acts a tad insane during much of Frankenstein. Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition was published anonymously in London on 1 January 1818, when she was 20. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victor’s sanity. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. The reader has to sense the significance of Henry in chapter five. Henry Clerval functions in the novel as: the good and faithful friend, another member of the supportive circle from Frankenstein's childhood; like other members of that circle, he is ultimately powerless to save Victor from himself. This serves as a minute but intelligent decision on Henry’s part. Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity. Caroline Frankenstein adopts Elizabeth when she's five from a family of poor Italian people (it's okay, though: she's really the daughter of an Italian nobleman). Upon seeing Henry, Victor states, “I grasped his hand, and in a moment forgot my horror and misfortune; I felt suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and serene joy” (Shelley 37). He shows up at just the right time to presumably save the life of Victor. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Considering the fact that Victor selectively chooses with whom he spends his time, Henry must display the characteristic of kindness. I was indifferent, therefore, to my schoolfellows in general; but I united myself in the bonds of the closest friendship to one among them” (Shelley 19). At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. Main Themes At first Henry thought that Victor was acting this way because he was excited that Henry was visiting him since they had not seen one another in such a long time. His cheerfulness counters Victor’s moroseness. Clerval was also there as the Foil character, as mentioned earlier, to contrast and emphasize even more that emotion of Victor. Readers are first introduced to Henry in Chapter two when Victor is describing how admirable of a guy he is. References/Suggested Readings
. While with Victor, Henry writes letters to Victor’s family because Victor is unable to do so. Victor also says that he had “frequent relapses” (Shelley 39). Henry Clerval Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. Henry had come to see about his friend and to enroll at the university. Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. However, readers actually meet Henry in chapter five of the novel when Victor has just finished creating the monster. The Monster: Victor’s creation is referred to as the monster or the demon. Victor desires to learn about science- the secrets of heaven and earth, and the "inner spirit of nature" and the "physical secrets of the world," while Henry Clerval prefers the "moral relations" of things, including history and literature. During all that time Henry was my only nurse” (Shelley 38). He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. A detailed description and in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval. After the two get caught up on each other’s lives they head to Victor’s apartment. In chapter two readers learn that Victor liked to be alone with the exception of his family and one friend, Henry. It would take someone with dedication and sincere kindness to stick with a person through this difficult journey, and Henry does just that without much hesitation, it seems. Excited and disgusted at "the monster" he had created, he runs from the apartment.. Victor then goes on to describe that Henry is a talented person when it comes to writing, business work, and has an adventurous spirit. It is important to keep in mind that Henry is supposed to be focusing on his studies at this time in his life; however, he is spending his time nursing his dear friend back to health. Had Victor had his encounter with a casual acquaintance, chances are they would have thought his behavior was perhaps a little odd. Clerval is first described as a boy who loved “enterprise, hardship and even danger, for its own sake.” Like Walton, Clerval shares Frankenstein’s desire to achieve great things at any cost. Almost all we know about her is her looks: she's "a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks" (1.6); she's "thin and very fair. It is apparent that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the novel. Victor had a brother of his own; however, he considered Clerval, an only child, to be like a brother to him as well. He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. Henry is compassionate, optimistic, and had a love for reading and literature. However, because Henry cared enough about his friend and took the time to really examine the situation he realized that Victor was actually sick. Victor and Henry eventually part ways on their journey. Luckily for Victor, Henry genuinely cares for him and is able to realize that he is ill. Had Henry not have discovered that Henry is sick it is likely that Victor would have died shortly after this event. However, Henry seems to step in and serve as Victor’s sanity. Henry Clerval. Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. New York: Dover Publications, 1994. Such a man has a double existence: he m… Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. Frankenstein draws strength and comfort from having a friend who shares his experiences and feelings: “Excellent friend! He is described as a gentle, handsome, and morally upright man who enjoys adventure. This would have to be frustrating. The most obvious way that Henry exemplifies the theme of compassion is the actual act of taking care of Victor while he is unable to care for himself. After the two get caught up on each other’s lives they head to Victor’s apartment. Luckily for Victor, Henry genuinely cares for him and is able to realize that he is ill. Had Henry not have discovered that Henry is sick it is likely that Victor would have died shortly after this event. This is where Henry comes in and provides benevolence to the story. Henry Clerval. Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. Clerval's optimism also stands in contrast to Victor's gloominess. 66) “Clerval, whole eyes and feelings were always quick in discerning the sensations of others, declined the subject, alleging, in excuse, his total ignorance; and the conversation took a more general turn. An Inspector Calls Brave New World Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Othello The Merchant of Venice Given that Henry only shows up in a few select scenes in the novel, it is easy to omit his role when this story is transferred into a motion picture. Frankenstein. The monster has asked him to build a mate, a female monster, in return for a promise that he would go away to the rain forest in South America and never bother Victor again.