Victor Frankenstein’s friend, Henry Clerval, dies by the monster’s hand. The guilt and grief for Henry nearly drove Victor mad. Due to this tragic event, Frankenstein seeks vengeance. It highlights the horrible results of his experiment.
Detailed answer:
Henry Clerval played a crucial role in Victor Frankenstein’s life from childhood. Henry took care of Victor, as the creation of the monster made him frantic. When his friend dies, grieving Victor falls in and out of the madness. The scientist is overcome by guilt. He indirectly caused Henry’s death by creating the monster. The horror of the death scene and the intense psychological response are typical for the genre.
Victor loses his obsession with the monster and wants to avenge his friend. He cannot bear the guilt of creating the murderous creature. The beast continues to assert violence, which increases Victor’s desire for revenge. Apart from moving the plot, Henry’s murder deepens the novel’s themes. The roles of the creation and the creator are reversed. Now the monster can guide Victor and dictate his motivations.
Best of all, Henry’s death illustrates the worst results of Frankenstein’s experiment. In gothic literature, the clash between ideals and reality is crucial. This theme builds throughout the novel, as Victor is afraid of his monster. The issue culminates in the madness Clerval’s death causes him. It pushes Frankenstein to realize that his ambitious experiment put his loved ones in danger. He decides to take guilt for creating the monster and destroy it.
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