Buddenbrooks, published in 1901, is a classic novel written by German author Thomas Mann. It is the first book in a sequence of four, and follows the life of the wealthy and prominent Buddenbrook family’s decline over three generations. The novel earned Thomas Mann a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929 and has been considered one of the most important German-language novels of the 20th century.
The novel’s protagonist is Johann “Hans” Buddenbrook, the oldest son of Anton Buddenbrook and his wife Elisabeth. Anton and Elisabeth are the heads of the prominent Buddenbrook family in the small city of Lübeck, Germany. The family has long been successful and respected as wealthy merchants, and have been able to hold onto their money for generations.
Hans is an aspiring businessman, whose early life is marked by extravagant indulgence, financial recklessness, and a stubborn refusal to accept responsibility. Although he eventually succeeds in business and in politics, he ultimately fails in his personal life, as his marriage to Tony Kröger ends unhappily.
Hans' younger brother, Thomas Buddenbrook, is the antithesis of his elder sibling. An earnest, practical man, Thomas strives to retain the prosperity of the Buddenbrook family business. His attempts prove to be eventually in vain, as the family business begins to decline, culminating in its eventual collapse at the end of the novel.
Tony Kröger, Hans’ ex-wife, is a headstrong beauty who initially captivated Hans’ heart when the two first met. Contrary to her privileged status as the daughter of a wealthy family, Tony is fiercely independent, often scoffing and mocking at the conventions of middle-class society. Despite her admiration and love for Hans, this headstrong fire is eventually the cause of their falling out, as she refuses to succumb to his wishes and give up her independence.
The novel’s secondary characters include Consul Buddenbrook, Thomas’ and Hans’ father, who refuses to allow his children to attain a liberal arts education and forces them to enter the family business; Gerda Kleinhart, Thomas’ longtime fiancé, who shares his desire for excellence; and Juliane Marchwardt, a marvelous singer who enchantingly captivates Hans’ heart. Consul Buddenbrook dies early in the novel, yet his presence still lingers long after, his austere and practical personality reflected in Thomas’ actions.
The narrative of the novel follows the Buddenbrook family over three generations. The novel opens in 1860 with the birth of the youngest son of Anton and Elisabeth, Christian, and follows the family until the death of the last remaining member of the line in 1890. Along the way, it follows each generation as they grapple with the consequences of their decisions and the impact these have had on the overall decline of the family.
Mann himself called Buddenbrooks “a novel of declension,” and its characters’ struggles to stay afloat in changing times reflect the state of German society at the dawn of the 20th century. While the novel has its share of tragedy, it is ultimately a story of perseverance and resilience in the face of immense struggle and challenges. Rich with details and characters that span generations, Buddenbrooks paints a vivid picture of a passionate and resilient family that slowly but surely succumbs to the tides of time and progress.
