Henry Clerval, Victor Frankenstein’s close friend, helps the main character overcome months of fever in Chapter 5. To conceal the illness from his family, Henry takes on the responsibility of caring for sick Victor.
Detailed answer:
Physical and psychological illness is one of the main themes in the novel. It appears multiple times throughout the narrative to indicate significant events. When a situation troubles the mind of Victor, he falls sick. It showcases the adverse effect of evil actions on his psyche. Henry Clerval volunteers to help Victor during one of his periods of illness. As a result, the main character overcomes the months-long fever and returns to a healthy state. This improvement does not last long, and Victor goes back to the ill state of mind and body.
In Chapter 21, Frankenstein’s health is getting worse. Mr. Kirwin, the town magistrate, brings Victor to see the body and observes his reaction. The character witnesses that his friend, Henry, has been hurt by the monster. He is struck with a seizure and continues to be sick for two months in prison. The fever might be caused by a mental disorder. Victor becomes paranoid about the monster. It is evident that shocking events precede the disease. So, sickness is related to adverse emotional reactions.