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Part 2, Chapter 7
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Buddenbrooks, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Family and Sacrifice
Tradition, Modernity, and Change
The Protestant Ethic
Personal Fulfillment and Self-Knowledge
Pretense and Etiquette
Summary
Analysis
It’s a lovely day in June, and the Buddenbrooks are sitting in the garden outside their summer house. Christian sits off to the side, pouting, as he studies for class. Tony is reading Hoffman. The consul smokes a cigar. Bethsy looks on and smiles at young Clara, who is wandering around the yard searching for flowers. The “skinny and old-maidish” Klothilde brushes cookie crumbs from the table into her mouth.
Part 3 begins as Parts 1 and 2 have, with the Buddenbrook family gathered together. Parts 1 and 2 each began with a gathering triggered by a significant event for the family (the purchase of the Meng Strasse house, and Clara’s birth, respectively), so it’s reasonable to predict that something important will take place in this opening chapter of Part 3.
Active
Themes
The consul, addressing Thomas, notes that the sale of rye to van Henkdom & Co. will go through after all. Tom is intrigued—and pleased at the excellent price. Christian grumbles about all this business talk. Just then, Anton approaches the family and places a calling card on the tea tray. The consul reads the card aloud: “Grünlich, Commercial Agent.” The consul explains that he has business to discuss with Grünlich—apparently a nice man, and the son of a pastor, too—and orders Anton to invite the man in. Anton obliges, and soon a blond man in his 30s enters the garden. In a soft, respectful voice, Grünlich apologizes for disturbing the family. The consul cheerfully introduces Grünlich to all the Buddenbrooks. Bethsy invites Grünlich to join them.
Christian and Thomas continue down opposite paths as they grow up. Thomas remains disciplined, dutifully throwing himself into learning the ins and outs of the family business in preparation for the day he takes it over. Christian, meanwhile, obstinately resents any talk of business and goes out of his way to set himself apart from his older brother and father. Given the expectation that Part 3 will begin with a major event, Grünlich’s introduction here is significant, and it’s worth paying attention to him as a character who may become important as the story continues.
Active
Themes
Grünlich appears grateful as Tom approaches with a chair for him. Then he tells the family a bit about himself, explaining that he lives in Hamburg but travels often on business. Grünlich momentarily falters when he catches Tony’s intense, assessing eyes on him.
Active
Themes
Grünlich shifts his focus to Tony and asks what she’s reading. Tony answers with a scowl. Grünlich ignores Tony’s coldness and shifts his focus to Christian, noting with admiration the Cicero he is reading. The consul retorts that students spend too much time reading the classics and ought to spend more time preparing for “the practical side of life.” Grünlich swiftly pivots to agree with the consul. Tony senses Grünlich’s eyes on her and annoyedly thinks that it’s now her turn to receive Grünlich’s exaggerated praise. And indeed, Grünlich gushes over how beautiful Tony’s hair looks in the sunlight.
Active
Themes
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At last, Grünlich says he must leave to attend to some business matters. Bethsy offers Grünlich a room in their house, but Grünlich assures her that he has already made arrangements. After Grünlich leaves, Tony calls the man “silly.” The consul and Bethsy scold Tony, but Christian agrees. Tony, invigorated now, insists that her parents only like Grünlich because Grünlich is telling them exactly what they want to hear. The consul angrily admonishes his children for insulting “a hardworking Christian” man like Grünlich.
Active
Themes
