Frankenstein who is henry clerval

How is Henry like this? Evidence Analysis Idealised Like Elizabeth, Henry is an idealised character - almost a perfect example of a strong yet sensitive man. He is loyal to Victor and even places his own education and ambitions on hold while he puts his friend's needs and wishes first. Clerval nursed Frankenstein back to health after his breakdown in Ingolstadt and followed him later on his tour through Europe. Clerval also visits the University of Ingolstadt with Frankenstein and meets his former professors.

Clerval is killed by The Monster in Scotland in revenge for Frankenstein not keeping his promise to create him a companion. Upon seeing Clerval's body, Frankenstein suffers a breakdown and contracts a fever, but recovers after some time. Victor describes him as an only child, "the son of a merchant of Geneva, an intimate friend of my father. He was a boy of singular talent and fancy" I Clerval is almost a family member in the Frankensten household: when Victor complains that "My brothers were considerably younger than myself," he notes, "but I had a friend in one of my schoolfellows, who compensated for this deficiency" I , and Victor includes Clerval in his account of his "domestic circle" because "he was constantly with us" I The two are united by "the closest friendship" I After parting from Clerval on his departure for Ingolstadt, Victor does not see his friend until after the creation of the Creature: he arrives just in time to care for Victor in his first insane fever I 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.

This would have to be frustrating. 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. 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.

It is apparent that Victor is mentally unstable through much of the novel. Reflecting back to when Victor sees Henry after completing the monster, Victor is relieved to run into him. At this moment Henry believes this encounter to simply be two friends reuniting. What he does not know is how badly Victor needs this human interaction, especially with a familiar face. One could say that Henry serves as a breath of fresh air for Victor and brings him back to reality during this interaction.

Once Victor starts to regain his strength, Henry provides guidance to his friend. He offers the highly sane advice that Victor should write to his family if he feels up to it. Henry exemplifies two themes, compassion and sanity, that Victor has difficulty doing by himself, compassion and sanity.