Buddenbrooks: Part 8, Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Weinschenk has been accused of insurance fraud and will have to stand trial—and the prosecutor is Dr. Moritz Hagenström. In private, Bethsy asks Thomas what she’s supposed to think about the situation with Weinschenk. Thomas thinks Weinschenk is probably guilty, but he tries to reassure Bethsy that maybe things aren’t as bad as the gossip suggests. Indeed, Weinschenk probably hasn’t done anything worse than others in his line of work have done before him—he just had the misfortune of getting caught. Still, Thomas is worried that Hagenström won’t hold back. And Weinschenk doesn’t have many loyal advocates to support him. Thomas is worried about how the outcome of the trial will affect Erika and Tony. Tony, he predicts, would take a conviction especially hard. 

Christmas approaches, and Hanno eagerly counts down the days until Christmas on the Advent calendar Ida Jungmann has made him. On December 23, all the family gathers at Meng Strasse, “a kind of dress rehearsal for Christmas Eve,” hosted by Bethsy. It's an elaborate affair, with a boy choir assembled to perform for the family. Sesame Weichbrodt, Madame Kethelsen, and Jürgen Kröger come from out of town. None of the adults feel much like celebrating, but they feign cheerfulness for the sake of family tradition. Erika tries to appear cheerful, but she appears exhausted every time she catches sight of Weinschenk and remembers his ongoing legal woes. As far as the children go, it’s hard to tell how the baby, Elisabeth, feels. Hanno is excited, though.

On Christmas Eve, Christian arrives late, stumbling in just as the choir is about to begin singing. He claims he “almost forgot” about the holiday. The choir begins to sing. Hanno listens with rapt attention and daydreams about what Christmas presents he’ll soon receive. He asked Bethsy for a puppet theater, which has been at the top of his list since he saw Fidelio with Gerda. Ever since, he’s been obsessed with the theatre, and he envies people like his uncle Christian who can go to see shows whenever they please. 

After the choirboys finish singing, Bethsy walks over to the sofa to read the Christmas story from the Bible, after which everyone joins the choir in singing “Silent Night.” After that, Hanno receives his presents: a harmonium and—most importantly—his coveted puppet theatre. The adults take turns commenting on Hanno’s presents with patronizing, exaggerated praise. Only Christian reacts to Hanno’s puppet theatre with genuine joy, though he cautions Hanno not to get too into theatre—that’s what Christian himself did, and he hasn’t “amounted to much.” Still, after this obligatory scolding, Christian settles down before the puppet theatre and begins to put on a bawdy show. Everyone laughs along with Christian’s antics.

Hanno enjoys wandering around the house, taking in the sights and sounds of Christmas—it’s the first year he’s been allowed to stay up as late as the adults. Meanwhile, in the landscape room, the conversation has turned to Weinschenk’s trial, which is in recess now for the holidays. Weinschenk’s attorney has done well to weaken the most incriminating evidence against Weinschenk, and he’s feeling cautiously optimistic.

The evening carries on. Hanno, happy to finally be allowed to dine with the adults, eats too many sweets and has an upset tummy later in the evening. Ida Jungmann lightly scolds him when she tucks him into bed that evening.