Aline Character Analysis in Buddenbrooks

Aline is a woman from Hamburg whom Christian eventually marries and with whom he (apparently) has a child. Aline’s presence in Christian’s life creates tension between Christian and his family because she is of questionable reputation (she does not have a title, and it’s implied that she has had multiple children outside of marriage). Toward the end of the book, Aline convinces Christian to enter a psychiatric institution, after which she takes advantage of his inheritance to live the life of independence she has come to prefer. Tony implies that Aline is conspiring with medical staff to keep Christian institutionalized indefinitely, though this is never confirmed.

Aline Character Timeline in Buddenbrooks

The timeline below shows where the character Aline appears in Buddenbrooks. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...known among their circle. He’s been spending a lot of time with a woman named Aline Puvogel, and he’s not her only merchant suitor. (full context)

Personal Fulfillment and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon

...Christian’s cavorting with his “trashy women.” Christian doesn’t deny any of this—then he confesses that Aline’s third child, a girl, is his. Christian defends Aline against Thomas’s insults, describing her as... (full context)

...Thomas thinks is ridiculous. Then, Christian shocks everyone when he declares his plans to marry Aline. Thomas lashes out at his brother for his lack of “tact.” Christian angrily defends himself,... (full context)

Tradition, Modernity, and Change Theme Icon

Less than a year after Thomas’s death, Christian moves to Hamburg and marries Aline Puvogel—no one is around to stop him any longer. Thomas appointed Kistenmaker the executor of... (full context)

...his ancestors. In Amsterdam, meanwhile, Christian’s “morbid fantasies and fixations” grow worse. Eventually, his wife (Aline) and doctor convince him to enter a sanatorium. Christian is unhappy at the facility and... (full context)

...His condition has (supposedly) worsened, and he can no longer live independently. Tony suspects that Aline is conspiring with the doctor to keep Christian institutionalized. (full context)