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Part 3, Chapter 10
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
One rainy day, Morten Schwarzkopf steps outside to smoke when he sees a gentleman standing on the porch. The man—who has a “pink face,” golden muttonchops, and “eyes as blue as a goose’s”—asks to speak with “the harbor pilot” (Captain Schwarzkopf).
Morten doesn’t recognize the stranger who has come to see Captain Schwarzkopf, but the golden muttonchops make it crystal clear to readers that the man is Grünlich, apparently come to win back the woman he sees as rightfully his.
Active
Themes
Morten leads Grünlich inside and into Captain Schwarzkopf’s small office. Schwarzkopf enters and greets Grünlich, who responds with “a very deliberate bow.” Grünlich introduces himself to Captain Schwarzkopf as a business friend of Consul Buddenbrook. He tells Schwarzkopf that he won’t be long—he’s just come to attend to a matter concerning Tony. Grünlich, in a cold and serious tone, explains that he proposed to Tony weeks ago and has her parents’ consent.
Morten, oblivious to Grünlich’s identity or reason for being here, dutifully leads him to Captain Schwarzkopf. By describing Grünlich’s bow to Schwarzkopf as “very deliberate,” the narration implies that the show of politeness is exaggerated to the point of insincerity. Grünlich is effectively conveying to Schwarzkopf how ridiculous it is for a wealthy businessman like Grünlich to dignify a working-class man like Schwarzkopf.
Active
Themes
Captain Schwarzkopf congratulates Grünlich, who coldly alludes to some “difficulties” that have gotten in the way of his proposal—and which have originated in Schwarzkopf’s household. He claims that Schwarzkopf’s son, Morten, has “encroach[ed] upon [Grünlich’s] rights.” Schwarzkopf is shocked and calls for Morten to come see him at once. To Grünlich, he insists that this all is a big misunderstanding. When Morten and Frau Schwarzkopf appear at the door, Schwarzkopf berates Morten and demands that he return to school tomorrow. Grünlich leaves, and Schwarzkopf doesn’t shake his hand.
Active
Themes
