A Bad Omen for Clerval (and Walton)

Before Clerval's death, Mary Shelley strategically foreshadows his doom. When Clerval and Victor meet up once more, Victor notices a change in Clerval. Clerval now aspires for extraordinary achievement, is eager for knowledge, and has a fascination for nature. Sound familiar? "But in Clerval I saw the image of my former self; he was inquisitive, and anxious to gain experience and instruction....He was also pursuing an object he had long had in view" (Shelley, 115). How about now? Yes, Clerval was headed down Victor's path. Just as Victor aspired for extraordinary accomplishment, so does Clerval. Just as this aspiration brought destruction upon Victor, so will it bring death upon Clerval. Altogeher, these parallel situations represent the ruin that scientific inquisitiveness can cause in one's life. Moreover, this adds a third parallel to Walton's life....DUN DUN DUNNNNN.