How Is Henry Clerval A Foil In Frankenstein

In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, she tells the cautionary tale of Victor Frankenstein and the downfall he brought upon himself by creating a horrid creature. In literature, a foil is a minor character that possesses traits that emphasize the characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, supporting character Henry Clerval serves as a foil for lead character Victor Frankenstein. The foil between the two characters expresses their interests and desire to become famous, Frankenstein’s foolishness, and their passion in pursuits. In the novel, the creation of Frankenstein’s

It is stated in the novel that both Frankenstein and Clerval have the desire to become famous and make a difference in the world. Clerval was described as being occupied “with the moral relations of things.” (p. 36) Clerval’s kind nature and his hopefulness creates him to be a moral character that only wants to do good for the world, almost as if he were one of the superheroes he read about as a child. When Frankenstein is speaking about Clerval, he states Clerval’s ambition, “...and his hope and his dream was to become one among those whose names are recorded in story as the gallant and adventurous benefactors of our species.” (p. 37) Clerval possesses a gentleness and childlike desire to be a hero, and is characterized as being a good friend, a kind man, and noble-spirited by Frankenstein; which contrasts Frankenstein’s character. Frankenstein is selfish and doesn’t provide Clerval with much friendship; while Frankenstein can be kind, the reader doesn't really get to see this side of him in the novel. Unlike Clerval, Frankenstein isn’t very noble or even humble, he’s often too focused on himself and what good things will come to him. In the novel, Frankenstein expresses his reasoning for being famous is to “discover the secret of life,” but a few pages after Clerval’s hopes are revealed, Frankenstein’s ambitions are also revealed. “Wealth was an inferior object, but what glory would attend the discovery if I could banish disease from the human frame and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death!” (p. 39) While Frankenstein’s ambitions appear to be good and beneficial for the general public, it turns out to be a selfish motive. “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.”