Buddenbrooks: Part 5, Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Eight days into Christian’s return, Thomas talks to Christian about the future. Thomas is head of the firm now. He thinks that, “for appearance’s sake,” it makes sense for Christian to take over Marcus’s role as clerk, now that Marcus is Thomas’s partner. But Thomas is aware that Christian is not a great businessman. Though Christian is a Buddenbrook, Thomas reasons, it’s important that he does the same work as the family’s employees. Christian agrees to this, and to the salary Thomas offers him.

 In the beginning, business goes on as usual in the wake of Consul Buddenbrook’s death. But soon, Thomas adopts a more modern approach. He is less risk-averse than his father was, and he takes full advantage of the firm’s line of credit. The businessmen at the exchange observe Thomas’s choices approvingly, but they also think it’s smart that he has kept on Herr Marcus, who is “trustworthy” and experienced.

At first, Christian comes alive in his work. His English is quite good, so Thomas puts him in charge of the firm’s English correspondence. Over dinner one evening, Christian insists that he loves a good, structured day of hard work—and ending the day with a good meal that leaves one feeling “satisfied.” Thomas feels disdain for Christian’s talk of being “satisfied,” but he keeps his thoughts to himself. Christian rambles on, unfazed. Though Tony finds Christian’s antics amusing, the others are shocked and horrified by his lurid tales. Thomas is especially put off by his brother’s stories, perhaps out of jealousy at not having had the chance to travel and see the world himself.

Christian remains unaware of Thomas’s growing disdain for him, and after the first week on the job, his lacking skills start to show. He slacks off, showing up for work later and later in the morning, and he drinks too much cognac. He goes to the Club for lunch and stays there a long time before returning to the office. Sometimes he doesn’t return to the office at all. At the Club and at home, he energetically tells stories of the office in Valparaiso. One recurring figure in these stories is a colorful character called Johnny Thunderstorm, an English businessman whom Christian gets into antics with. When Thomas offers snarky or judgmental commentary, Bethsy swiftly changes the subject.