Frankenstein: Doubles

 In Frankenstein, there are many doubles that appear throughout the novel. These doubles serve to better illustrate the similarities and differences between the two characters and help bring their glaring personalities into light.
 The characters of Victor Frankenstein and his creation are doubles throughout the entirety of the novel. They both share in sufferings and miseries, both due to Victor's carelessness. If Victor had taken care of his creation instead of abandoning him, they both would have suffered much less in life. The creation wouldn't have dealt with such crippling loneliness if he would have been taken care of by his creator, and Victor wouldn't have had to deal with the death of his friends and family due to his lack of foresight. Another similarity between them is that they both don't realize the effect they are having on the people around them. They were both to busy being miserable to actually think of what their actions would do to the people around them.
 Another double in the novel is Victor Frankenstein and Henry Clerval. Clerval is described as being more lofty, idealized, and effeminate and is complementary to Victor's grim personality. Over the course of the novel, Clerval spends the most time alone with Victor. He is many things to Victor over the course of the novel including a childhood friend, a nurse, a fellow scholar, and a traveling mate. Clerval is one of the only characters able to restore and renew Victor, because it is Clerval who can "call forth the better feelings" of Victor's heart (52). They also both attend the same college, but for different subjects. Victor is focused on the physical sciences, while Clerval is focusing on more of the social side and is busy learning languages. Clerval is worldlier and his dreams are plausible in real life. His dream also demands good character and leadership, making him work on his personality more than the secluded, anti-social Frankenstein. Henry has the dream to, “become one among those whose names are recorded in story, as the gallant and adventurous benefactors of our species” (pg 19). Henry’s ambitions lead him to become a better person rather than defy nature and show the misguided ambitions of Frankenstein. Frankenstein is obsessed with the non-worldly and wishes to defy nature instead of improving it. He wishes to see the secrets behind the universe for no other reason but to find them. Frankenstein’s goals have no particular benefit to himself or society unlike the giving Clerval. While Victor is sinking deeper and deeper in depression, Clerval can be seen to flourish and grow and become even happier. 
 Another double would be between Victor and Walton. Both characters are ambitious for glory and attempt to find it by pursuing a journey of scientific discovery. This journey puts others at risk for the sake of advancement and in turn isolates them and renders them incredibly lonely. These doubles in the novel help to show the inner workings and minds of the characters and why they take the actions they do.