Previous
Part 4, 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
Grünlich’s face is red when he at last greets Consul Buddenbrook. The consul only “bow[s] coldly” and says it was his “duty” to come. Grünlich slackens. Then he leads the consul back into the sitting room to go over Grünlich’s finances with Kesselmeyer. The men sit down, and Grünlich steps back “and let[s] destiny take its course” as Consul Buddenbrook examines the papers. Reading the papers, the consul realizes that Grünlich’s situation is worse than he thought. Suddenly, it dawns on the consul that Grünlich’s legitimacy in the eyes of lenders was entirely dependent on the Buddenbrook firm’s reputation.
The consul’s cold, detached demeanor makes it clear to readers (and Grünlich) that he will not be treating Grünlich with familial familiarity any longer—and that means Grünlich won’t be getting a loan if the consul deems it financially unwise to do so. Throughout the novel there are frequent references to fate and destiny regarding business dealings, which gives insight into how the characters associate prosperity with moral goodness. There is a sense that those who do well in life (and work hard to achieve that end) are fated to prosper. Grünlich, it now seems, is not one of those people; his poor business sense and his dishonesty about his finances reflect poorly on his character.
Active
Themes
At last, the consul speaks. He declares Grünlich’s ledgers to be those not only of “an unfortunate man”—but also “of a very guilty man.” He refuses to lend Grünlich more money. Kesselmeyer laughs when Grünlich pleads for another extension—but then he asks if the reason the consul is refusing to help Grünlich is not because he doesn’t want to pay, but because the consul himself lacks the funds. The consul tells Kesselmeyer to mind his own business.
The consul implies here that Grünlich has up to this point been altering his financial documents to appear wealthier and more successful than he in fact is. Kesselmeyer’s insulting joke incites such a prickly response from the consul because there is perhaps some truth to it: it’s clear the Buddenbrook firm hasn’t been doing as well lately.
Active
Themes
Grünlich pleads with Consul Buddenbrook to reconsider, urging him to think of Tony and Erika. To this, the consul only replies that Tony will “not suffer.” Kesselmeyer, overcome with laughter, confesses that Grünlich has been altering the ledgers he’s been showing the consul all along. The consul is furious. He insists that he “made serious inquiries” about Grünlich before considering the engagement to Tony. Kesselmeyer gleefully informs the consul that all the big firms were in on Grünlich’s scheme. The consul leaves, slamming the door shut behind him.
Active
Themes
