“[Clerval] came. Alas, how great was the contrast between us! He was alive to every new scene, joyful when he saw the beauties of the setting sun, and more happy when he beheld it rise and recommence a new day…In truth, I was occupied by gloomy thoughts and neither saw the descent of the evening star nor the golden sunrise reflected in the Rhine.”
-p 147
This passage aptly portrays the foil that Clerval serves to Frankenstein in each of his interactions with him. During their trip to Scotland, Henry constantly rejoices in nature’s beauty and revels in being alive. Victor, on the other hand, is a dismal wreck, unable to see beauty due to his morbid obligation to his creation. This is not, however, the only instance in which Henry serves as a foil to Victor. Frankenstein earlier commented on Henry’s fascination with morality rather than science. He seems to speak of Henry’s preference with bemusement at the apparent foolishness of choosing morality over science. Yet it is this lack of morality which led to Victor’s horrific predicament. Indeed, Henry’s presence emphasizes even more Victor’s sinfulness and flawed nature which created such a miserable situation. Shelley uses Henry to prove to the reader how flawed and foolish Victor's endeavors were without morality.
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