Frankenstein · Character

Henry Clerval

Victor's warmhearted boyhood friend, a lover of romance and adventure who nurses him through illness and never stops offering consolation.

supporting

Also known as Clerval, Henry, M. Clerval, Dearest Clerval, Chapter VI Clerval

First appearance: Chapter II

As a supporting figure in Frankenstein, Henry Clerval is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Victor's close friend, characterized by his adventurous spirit and moral sensibility.

In the storyChapter IIOpen this moment free

See Henry Clerval in Chapter II Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Where Victor chases causes, Clerval chases beauty—chivalry, poetry, distant lands—and his easy affection keeps Victor tethered to ordinary human life. When grief and guilt prostrate his friend, Clerval reads the terrible letter, weeps with him, and simply stays. His loyalty matters because it shows what Victor keeps trading away: companionship, tenderness, and a world of feeling that has nothing to do with the laboratory.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Henry Clerval sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Henry Clerval in Chapter II

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Henry Clerval sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Victor's Inner Circle
Protagonist
Supporting Figures

+8 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the creature reaches his emotional and psychological peak by shifting from despair to a decla…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

The Creature
rivalry · negative
Henry is a close friend of Victor and is murdered by the Creature as part of his revenge. How this plays out →
Elizabeth Lavenza
friendship · positive
Victor Frankenstein
friendship · positive
The Creature
rivalry · negative
Henry is a close friend of Victor and is murdered by the Creature as part of his revenge. How this plays out →
Victor Frankenstein
friendship · positive
The Creature
rivalry · negative
Henry is a close friend of Victor and is murdered by the Creature as part of his revenge. How this plays out →
Elizabeth Lavenza
friendship · positive

The Creature
Henry is a close friend of Victor and is murdered by the Creature as part of his revenge.
Elizabeth Lavenza
Elizabeth and Henry are close family friends, sharing a warm and supportive relationship within the Frankenstein household.
Victor Frankenstein
Henry is Victor's loyal and cheerful best friend, who nurses him back to health and is later murdered by the Creature.
The Creature
Henry is a close friend of Victor and is murdered by the Creature as part of his revenge.
Victor Frankenstein
Henry is Victor's loyal and cheerful best friend, who nurses him back to health and is later murdered by the Creature.
The Creature
Henry is a close friend of Victor and is murdered by the Creature as part of his revenge.
Elizabeth Lavenza
Elizabeth and Henry are close family friends, sharing a warm and supportive relationship within the Frankenstein household.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Henry Clerval in Chapter II

In the story

Henry Clerval appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter II
Victor's close friend, characterized by his adventurous spirit and moral sensibility.
Chapter III
Spends the last evening with Victor; prevented by his father from accompanying Victor to Ingolstadt.
Chapter V
Henry arrives in Ingolstadt and joyfully reunites with Victor; he notices Victor's ill appearance and shares news of Victor's family.
Chapter VI
Accompanies Victor on a pedestrian tour, invents tales, and helps Victor reconnect with nature.
Chapter VII
Accompanies Victor on his journey to Geneva and offers heartfelt sympathy.
Chapter XVIII
Accompanies Victor to England, full of joy and appreciation for the scenery.
Chapter XIX
Clerval enjoys the journey, seeking knowledge and planning to assist European colonization in India; he is concerned about Victor's dejection.
Chapter XX
Henry sends a letter to Victor, urging him to leave the island and join him in Perth for a journey south.
Chapter XXI
Victor's murdered friend, whose death haunts Victor throughout the chapter, appearing in his visions and memories.
Chapter XXII
Henry is mentioned as having been murdered by the Creature, a crime that deepens Victor's guilt and despair.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Henry Clerval unlock in the free preview.

See Henry Clerval in Chapter II