Buddenbrooks
Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann
This story brought the young Mann recognition when it was first published in 1901. It is the story of a German family over the course of 40 years, from wealth and prosperity to decline.
The book is written in 11 parts.
Part 1: 1835
Here we are introduced to the family and some of the ideas of the time. A dinner is held to celebrate the family's purchase of a new home and invite other family members and friends. The characters introduced are:
Herr Johann Buddenbrook and his wife, Antonie.
Son, Consul Jean Buddenbrook and his wife, Elisabeth (Kroger) and their 3 children, Thomas, Christian and Antonie.
The extended family is mentioned, sister in Frankfurt and stepbrother (son of Herr Buddenbrook's 1st marriage) Gotthold. Also parents of Elisabeth.
Things discussed over the dinner include:
The July Monarchy and changes being introduced from the influence of France.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Monarchy
"Trade schools and technical school and commercial schools are popping up like mushrooms, and grammar schools and classical education is suddenly all foolishness, and the whole world has nothing in it's head but coal mines and factories an making money."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Monarchy
"Trade schools and technical school and commercial schools are popping up like mushrooms, and grammar schools and classical education is suddenly all foolishness, and the whole world has nothing in it's head but coal mines and factories an making money."
The Zollverein or German Customs Union was a coalition of German states formed to manage tariffs and economic policies within their territories. Organized by the 1833 Zollverein treaties, the Zollverein formally started on 1 January 1834.
After the dinner Consul Buddenbrook shows letter to Herr Buddenbrook from Gotthold wanting his share of the house in monetary terms. His relationship with his father was damaged when he married a woman who owns a shop.
Interesting point I noted was the fact that the home they are now living in was built in 1682 by a then prosperous family but they had to sell due to their decline. Mann is introducing us to the idea of a cycle of events; prosperity followed by decline, right at the beginning. It is the same in nations if we look back at history. My thoughts at the beginning of this story are, is this cycle of events doomed to happen no matter what in families/nations?
I love Herr Buddenbrooks snr and his thoughts on education and the influences coming from France since the July Monarchy. He is mourning the loss of classical education and the fact ' the whole world has nothing in it's head but coal mines and factories and making money.' He feels this is not wisdom in the long term.
Also the thought, 'A family has to be united, to hold together, otherwise evil will come knocking on the door.'
Interesting point I noted was the fact that the home they are now living in was built in 1682 by a then prosperous family but they had to sell due to their decline. Mann is introducing us to the idea of a cycle of events; prosperity followed by decline, right at the beginning. It is the same in nations if we look back at history. My thoughts at the beginning of this story are, is this cycle of events doomed to happen no matter what in families/nations?
I love Herr Buddenbrooks snr and his thoughts on education and the influences coming from France since the July Monarchy. He is mourning the loss of classical education and the fact ' the whole world has nothing in it's head but coal mines and factories and making money.' He feels this is not wisdom in the long term.
Also the thought, 'A family has to be united, to hold together, otherwise evil will come knocking on the door.'
Thoughts.
1. Does Gotthold have a righteous claim?
2. The house motto is 'Dominus providebit' The Lord will provide. How does this tie in with the Buddenbrooks family?
Part 2 :1841
We move on 6 years and see the demise of the elder Buddenbrooks and the growing up of the children plus the addition of the youngest, Clara.
1. How would you describe the children?
2. How is the Buddenbrook wealth faring?
Part 3-4
Marriages are entered into for the good of the firm and there is a lot of unrest in society that effects trade. In this time period there was a lot of influence coming from France and the working class people were excited about ideas such as each man getting the vote and having better working conditions. The masses were taking part in demonstrations and exhibiting thoughts and ideas that were previously only revealed in secret. There was a lot of unrest in general throughout Europe. Karl Marx was in continental Europe until 1849 and in London between 1850-60.
These mini revolutions continued on in Germany and eventually the unification of the German states with Prussia came about in 1870 under Otto Von Bismarck. Unrest continued with people throughout Europe wanting independence and eventually we come to WWI.
In Buddenbrooks there are continuous revolutionary events going on in the background which effected trade and the status of families such as the Buddenbrooks (wealthy merchant class, or upper middle class). This is part of the reason for a lot of stress on Thomas and the decline of the families fortunes so it's important to keep this in mind whilst reading.
In the very insular world of the Buddenbrook homes you don't see so much of this revolutionary fever as was going on outside but nevertheless it under minded the status quo.
Quoted from a friend: 'In order to complement the background of the story you should be aware of the special character of the city of Lübeck (Mann's hometown) where story is set. It used to be the center of the Hanseatic League and was governed by rich merchants rather than noblemen like most of Germany. Citizens of Lübeck even today feel a stronger link with the other Hanseatic cities around the Baltic and Northern Sea thank with the rest of Germany and superior to the surrounding rather rural area. "
Part 2 :1841
We move on 6 years and see the demise of the elder Buddenbrooks and the growing up of the children plus the addition of the youngest, Clara.
1. How would you describe the children?
2. How is the Buddenbrook wealth faring?
Part 3-4
Marriages are entered into for the good of the firm and there is a lot of unrest in society that effects trade. In this time period there was a lot of influence coming from France and the working class people were excited about ideas such as each man getting the vote and having better working conditions. The masses were taking part in demonstrations and exhibiting thoughts and ideas that were previously only revealed in secret. There was a lot of unrest in general throughout Europe. Karl Marx was in continental Europe until 1849 and in London between 1850-60.
These mini revolutions continued on in Germany and eventually the unification of the German states with Prussia came about in 1870 under Otto Von Bismarck. Unrest continued with people throughout Europe wanting independence and eventually we come to WWI.
In Buddenbrooks there are continuous revolutionary events going on in the background which effected trade and the status of families such as the Buddenbrooks (wealthy merchant class, or upper middle class). This is part of the reason for a lot of stress on Thomas and the decline of the families fortunes so it's important to keep this in mind whilst reading.
In the very insular world of the Buddenbrook homes you don't see so much of this revolutionary fever as was going on outside but nevertheless it under minded the status quo.
Quoted from a friend: 'In order to complement the background of the story you should be aware of the special character of the city of Lübeck (Mann's hometown) where story is set. It used to be the center of the Hanseatic League and was governed by rich merchants rather than noblemen like most of Germany. Citizens of Lübeck even today feel a stronger link with the other Hanseatic cities around the Baltic and Northern Sea thank with the rest of Germany and superior to the surrounding rather rural area. "
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