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Part 3, Chapter 4
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
Tony rides in Lebrecht Kröger’s carriage to Travemünde. Tom accompanies her. Tony is overjoyed to get away—it means she won’t have to worry about running into Grünlich wherever she goes. But just to be safe, she won’t participate in much socializing at the spa. Tom cautions his sister, she’ll miss out on a lot of fun if she opts not to socialize. Uncle Justus will probably be there on Sundays, and the Möllendorpf, Kistenmaker, and Hagenström families, will be there.
That Tom accompanies Tony to Travemünde speaks to their close, mutually supportive relationship. Their life might revolve around the family business, but that doesn’t compromise the integrity of their bond as siblings. At the same time, Tom’s casual advice about not being too antisocial this summer, even if it means she might encounter Grünlich, could suggest an ulterior motive to Tom’s presence—he could be subtly urging Tony to give Grünlich a chance, knowing how important it is to the family’s social status for the marriage to go through.
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Themes
Tony scoffs at Tom’s mention of Julie Hagenström. She grumbles about all the Hamburg families moving to town and inserting themselves into the social order. They’re wealthy, but they have no culture. Tom agrees, though he adds that Strunck & Hagenström is doing quite well these days. No, these are “the up-and-coming families,” as Consul Buddenbrook says, and they’re all hard workers.
Tony’s disgruntled reaction to Tom’s mention of Julie Hagenström indicates that she is still clinging to the grudge she formed as a young girl, and this in turn offers insight into Tony’s personality—it reveals how childish, petty, and overly invested in social appearances Tony is.
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Tony asks Tom about the Schwarzkopfs, whom Tony has never met. Tom says Captain Diedrich Schwarzkopf is alright, though a heavy drinker. Frau Schwarzkopf is fine. The couple has a son (young Schwarzkopf) who’s a few years older than Tom. Eventually, the carriage arrives at Schwarzkopfs’ home on the sea, where Captain Schwarzkopf is waiting outside. He’s a gruff and unrefined man, but there’s a “dignity” to him, and he greets the Buddenbrook siblings warmly. Schwarzkopf suggests the horses might want some time to recover, and he invites Tom to spend the night.
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Soon, Tom and Tony are with the Schwarzkopfs and their young daughter, Meta, sipping coffee on the veranda. Tom enthusiastically breathes in the fresh air. Frau Schwarzkopf assures Tony that she’ll feel better in no time—city air can wear a person down. She offers Tony some of her homemade raisin bread, which sits in a basket, surrounded by honey, butter, and other accoutrements. Tony gobbles down several slices.
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Just then, a young man appears on the porch. Captain Schwarzkopf introduces the man as his son, who’s studying to be a doctor. Tony extends his hand to young Schwarzkopf and silently takes him in. He’s slight and of average height, quite blond, and incredibly pale. He has blue eyes, and his face is rather pleasant. Young Schwarzkopf blushes as he apologizes for being late to greet the Buddenbrooks—he’d been reading on the beach and lost track of time. The boy remains mostly silent, though he looks up at Tony and Tom every now and then with interest.
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Frau Schwarzkopf urges Tony to eat more honey with her bread. Young Schwarzkopf adds that it’s important to eat enough here, as the sea air raises one’s metabolism. Frau Schwarzkopf tries to discern what Tony thinks of her son, while Captain Schwarzkopf chides his son for showing off with his medical knowledge. After coffee, Tom and young Schwarzkopf chat about school. Tony joins in, though she becomes enraged when Tom mentions Grünlich in passing.
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