Count von Maiboom Character Analysis in Buddenbrooks

Count von Maiboom is Armgard’s husband. He has a gambling problem that leaves him buried in debt. After Armgard confides this in Tony, Tony pleads with Thomas to help her dear school friend by buying out von Maiboom’s entire crop of wheat at a below-market rate. Thomas agonizes over the moral implications of this but ultimately gives in, a plan that backfires when the deal results in a devastating loss for the Buddenbrook firm. Tony later discovers that Count von Maiboom has died by suicide, leaving behind Armgard and their three children. Thomas’s cruelly apathetic reaction to the news appears to disturb his wife Gerda.

Count von Maiboom Character Timeline in Buddenbrooks

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

...Tony writes to Bethsy. She mentions Bethsy’s news of Armgard von Schilling’s engagement to Herr von Maiboom of Poppenrade. Tony’s friend Eva Ewers is getting married too—“She’s getting the director of a... (full context)

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...though. Tony confesses that while she was visiting Armgard, Armgard confessed that her husband, Herr von Maiboom , has a huge gambling problem. In fact, that’s why Armgard invited Tony to visit:... (full context)

...it strengthen him? He wonders why he was so opposed to doing business with Herr von Maiboom . Someone like Hagenström wouldn’t turn down such a deal—so why is Thomas so adamant... (full context)

...only furious with himself. At once, he decides that he’ll make the deal with Herr von Maiboom . Who cares about “all his moral scruples.” If the deal is a success, it... (full context)

...next day, May 28, Thomas tells Tony that he’s changed his mind and will offer von Maiboom the loan, suggesting that it’s the right thing to do, as he doesn’t want to... (full context)

...the Buddenbrook firm’s founding. Thomas takes this news ambivalently, feeling apprehensive about his deal with von Maiboom . When Herr Marcus learned what Thomas had done, he was furious. Now Thomas himself... (full context)

...she is suddenly overcome with emotion. The obituary is for the recent suicide of Ralf von Maiboom —Tony’s friend Armgard’s husband. He shot himself in the family home. As Tony feels deep... (full context)