“Choose a novel or okay in which a minor character serves as a foil to a main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.” The novel I chose is Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. The essay only needs to be four paragraphs, an intro, two heavy body paragraphs, and a conclusion. I use APEPE (answer, proof, explain, proof, explain, summary) for my body paragraphs. The proofs are quotes from the novel and the explains needs to be an in depth analysis of those quotes. I’ve already written about half of it, but I still need more to first body and I need my second body and conclusion. Here is what I have so far, feel free to make any revisions.
“Mary Shelly’s horror, science fiction novel, Frankenstein, centers around Victor Frankenstein, a mad scientist who created a living, sentient creature using disembodied body parts and high voltage electricity. Characterization plays a crucial part in the book, with victor being a highly intelligent yet self centered individual, and his creature filled with angst and hatred for himself and the world around him. With such strong characterization, the usage of foil characters, such as Henry Clerval is a must. Henry’s existence illuminates the main themes of the novel by emphasizing Victor’s unpleasant traits while bringing out a better side of him.
To start, Henry Clerval is Victor Frankenstein’s best friend who is just as knowledgeable as Frankenstein. Clerval shares Frankenstein’s ambition for acknowledgement and fame, the main difference is that these goals are paired with a compassionate and empathetic nature. For instance, after abandoning his creature and reuniting with Clerval, Victor says, “Clerval called forth the better feelings of my heart; he again taught me to love the aspect of nature, and the cheerful faces of children. Excellent friend!”. Victor’s reckless abandonment of his creation followed by Clerval’s invitation to enjoy the simpler things in life like the beauty of nature perfectly shows the juxtaposition between the two individuals. In addition, Clerval tends to bring out a better side of Victor Frankenstein by being an empathetic and virtuous man. For example,”
