Buddenbrooks

Tony encounters Herr Grünlich unexpectedly in town while running an errand and dismisses him coldly only to learn that her mother has invited him to dinner. On the day after the dinner, Tony learns from her parents that Grünlich has asked for her hand in marriage. She responds emotionally, completely rejecting his proposal. Her parents, however, consider Grünlich a suitable match and insist she think it over, leading to Tony’s conflicted feelings about the proposed marriage.

Tony’s firm rejection of Herr Grünlich’s proposal is tested when he visits unexpectedly, pleading dramatically for her hand. Despite her initial resistance, his earnest display of anguish leaves Tony confused and emotionally drained, without a clear resolution. Nevertheless, she continues to say “no” to the marriage.

Tony feels besieged by continuous pressure to accept Herr Grünlich’s proposal, leaving her indecisive. The family involves Sesame Weichbrodt, Ida Jungmann, and Pastor Kölling in their efforts to convince Tony to accept Bendix Grünlich’s proposal. Despite the familial and social pressure to accept, Tony remains conflicted and distressed, isolating herself and becoming despondent. To help her come to a decision, her parents arrange a stay in the seaside resort of Travemünde, hoping that distance will bring her clarity.

Tony and Tom Buddenbrook travel to Travemünde for a vacation, seeking respite from the pressure of Tony’s marriage proposal from Herr Grünlich. They are warmly received by the Schwarzkopf family, and Tony finds a pleasant escape in the seaside environment. She enjoys the family’s company, including that of young Morten Schwarzkopf, the family’s only son and a medical student. Amidst casual conversation and reminiscing, Tony appreciates the relaxed atmosphere, which contrasts sharply with the tense situation she left behind.

Waking up at the Schwarzkopf’s, Tony feels refreshed and detached from her troubles in the city, particularly those involving Bendix Grünlich. She enjoys the simple, homely atmosphere and finds Morten’s company and knowledge amusing and engaging. After breakfast, they plan a walk to the beach and Tony grows more comfortable with her new surroundings.

On the beach, Tony engages in light-hearted conversation with Morten. Despite the intense heat of the day, Tony revels in the simplicity and tranquility of her surroundings as a distraction from on her problems back home. Morten’s scientific interests pique Tony’s curiosity, hinting at a budding friendship. Tony’s interactions with the local upper-class visitors to the beach, including the Hagenströms and Möllendorpfs, bring her social standing and the familial expectations placed upon her back to mind. As she goes to greet the families, Morten stays behind, “sitting on the stones” at the beach, foreshadowing the ways in which Morten fails to fit in with Tony’s social aspirations and the economic and philosophical obstacles between the two (127).

Tony’s summer in Travemünde becomes a period of carefree enjoyment and personal growth away from the pressures of her family and Herr Grünlich. She spends her days swimming, dining, and walking with Morten Schwarzkopf, exploring the surroundings, and engaging in deep conversations about freedom, society, and personal aspirations. Morten reveals that he is a member of a radical fraternity advocating for social and political justice. He shares this secret with Tony as a sign of trust and camaraderie and asks her to not tell his parents. Morten criticizes the nobility as an institution, arguing that Tony is also part of the nobility, which is why she defends their position in society. He considers the nobility lazy and claims that he is part of the bourgeoisie fighting for equal rights and freedom of rights and employment.

Tony and Morten’s relationship deepens during their final days at the beach as summer ends and autumn arrives. Tony, amused and touched by Morten’s passion and ideals, finds herself drawn to him. Morten asks who Bendix Grünlich is, and Tony tells his about the marriage proposal, stating her opposition to it. Morten reveals his affection for Tony, asking her to remember their time together and to wait for him. They share a promise to be together and a kiss, marking their commitment.

Tony receives a presumptuous letter from Herr Grünlich, who refuses to accept her rejection and sends her a ring as a pledge of his undying tenderness. Outraged, Tony writes to her father, Jean, expressing her frustration and informing him of her love for Morten Schwarzkopf, stating he is a future doctor and that she has pledged her heart to him. She dismisses the importance of wealth for happiness and ends by criticizing the quality of Grünlich’s ring. Jean responds, emphasizing the importance of family tradition and duty over personal happiness, urging Tony to reconsider her rejection of Grünlich for the sake of the family’s expectations and to prevent Grünlich’s threatened suicide. He reminds her of the responsibilities she bears as a member of the Buddenbrook family and hints that she will be disinherited if she goes on with her plans with Morten.

During a stormy day, Herr Grünlich shows up at the Schwarzkopf residence. Grünlich confronts Morten about interfering with his relationship with Tony. Grünlich claims Tony has promised to marry him, a claim Morten disputes. Morten’s father (the harbor pilot), upon learning of his son’s involvement with Tony, dismisses the relationship as foolish and insists Morten return to his studies. Morten’s father stands firm in his principles, showing no intention of encouraging any connection between Morten and Tony. Grünlich leaves, expressing satisfaction with Morten’s father’s stance. Morten buckles under his father’s disappointment and the imminent end of his vacation romance.

Tony leaves Travemünde, feeling deeply saddened by her separation from Morten, who has returned to his medical studies in Göttingen. The end of summer and Morten’s absence make her journey back to Lübeck painful. Despite Thomas’s attempts to console her, mentioning his own upcoming departure to Amsterdam, Tony remains despondent, clinging to her memories of Morten. She rejects the idea of forgetting him, finding no comfort in the thought, and weeps for the loss of their connection.

Returning to her family's home in Lübeck, Tony feels the stark contrast between her idyllic time with Morten and the reality of her family's expectations. Despite the emotional turmoil of parting from Morten and her reluctance to embrace her family’s plans for her, Tony finds herself drawn into the legacy and traditions of her family as documented in their genealogy notebook. Guided by a sense of duty and the weight of her family’s history, Tony records her engagement to Herr Bendix Grünlich in the family chronicle, symbolically binding herself to the path laid out by her family’s expectations and traditions.

Tony marries Grünlich, finalizing an engagement marked by traditional expectations and financial negotiations. Grünlich finds the sum of 80,000 marks offered as dowry by the Buddenbrook family meager but acceptable. Despite her emotional detachment from Grünlich, Tony participates in the wedding festivities, surrounded by family and societal affirmation. After the vows are exchanged, she departs from Lübeck to Hamburg with Grünlich. Before leaving, she shares a moment with her father, Jean, asking if he is proud of her. After the couple leaves, Jean and Bethsy reflect on their first child leaving their household. Jean declares that Tony being content with herself for having made the right choice is what really matters.

Thomas Buddenbrook visits Anna, a young salesgirl at a flower shop with whom he is romantically involved, for a final, tender farewell before his departure to Amsterdam. They reminisce about their first meeting, share memories, and express mutual affection. Thomas acknowledges their inevitable separation, advising Anna to maintain her dignity. Thomas speaks about his future and marrying someone of equal social standing to his family, as it is expected of him.

Tony, now married to Grünlich and living in Hamburg, writes to her mother about her social life and inquires about a visit from her family. Despite having adapted to married life and the comforts of her villa, she hints at her husband’s possessiveness and reluctance to socialize together. She mentions feeling unwell and consulting Dr. Klaassen, suggesting that she might be pregnant.

Another letter from Jean to Thomas in Amsterdam expresses hope about Christian’s future as a merchant in England. Besides sharing business matters and stating that Jean and Bethsy had a pleasant time visiting Tony and Grünlich in the summer (when Tony was five-months pregnant), Jean decries the fact that Thomas is not in the best health. Six months later, a letter from Grünlich confirms the birth of the couple’s daughter.

The Buddenbrook household experiences unease as political unrest stirs in their city. Trina, their cook, behaves rebelliously, wearing expensive materials and claiming her right to use the sofa, which leads to her dismissal. The family, particularly Bethsy, is anxious about the “revolution” and the masses demonstrating in the streets. Despite Bethsy’s fears, Jean must attend a council meeting and reassures her that the situation is not as dire as it seems.

As the Consul, Jean and a broker named Gosch face a crowd of protestors outside a council meeting. The protestors demand a new republic, influenced by broader revolutionary movements in Berlin and Paris. Corl Smolt, a warehouse worker, represents the crowd in front of the council. He states their demand for another republic, despite already having one. The situation ends in laughter from both the protestors and the council members, though the unrest continues.

After defusing the tense situation with protestors, Jean and his father-in-law Lebrecht Kröger take the carriage home. Despite Jean’s attempts to lighten the mood, Kröger is deeply affected by the day’s events and feeling unwell. The protesting crowd throws a stone, hitting Kröger without harming him, but Kröger feels it symbolizes the day’s disrespect. Upon returning home, Kröger dies.

In January 1850, the Grünlich family has breakfast in their elegant dining room. Tony, in a luxurious dressing gown, debates with her husband, Grünlich, about their finances and the need for a governess for their daughter, Erika. Grünlich denies Tony’s request for a governess and dismisses her claims to have contributed to their financial situation with her dowry, which leads to a tense conversation that is interrupted by a visitor, Herr Kesselmeyer.

Herr Kesselmeyer and Grünlich have a tense conversation overheard by Tony, in which Grünlich reveals the family’s financial troubles. In their conversation, Kesselmeyer refuses to extend Grünlich’s credit, demands repayment, and hints at a potential bankruptcy. Grünlich’s only option to avoid financial ruin is to ask for help from Tony’s father, who has also recently lost money in an unprofitable deal. The visit ends with Kesselmeyer leaving and Grünlich appearing distressed and agitated in front of Tony.

Jean visits Tony at the villa to discuss Grünlich’s bankruptcy. Facing his own business losses, Jean probes Tony’s feelings towards Grünlich, hinting at the possibility of divorce. Despite initial reluctance, Tony admits she never loved Grünlich and welcomes the idea of returning home. Jean decides against financially supporting Grünlich, prioritizing the wealth of the family firm over salvaging Grünlich’s business and saving Tony’s marriage.

Grünlich meets with his father-in-law and the banker Herr Kesselmeyer to discuss his financial situation. Despite Grünlich’s emotional pleas and Kesselmeyer’s mocking, Jean refuses to bail him out. Kesselmeyer reveals that Grünlich’s plan to marry Tony was also a ploy to save him from sinking into debt and that his business partners, who vouched for his credibility, were also in on it. Jean departs, disturbed by the accusations of complicity in Grünlich’s deceitful financial management and strengthened his decision to let Grünlich face the consequences of his actions.

Jean instructs his daughter to quickly pack and prepare to leave her husband. In a dramatic scene, Grünlich pleads with Tony to forgive him, but Jean insists on leaving for Tony’s well-being. Grünlich’s demeanor shifts from pleading to anger, revealing he married Tony for her money. Jean leaves with Tony, advising Grünlich to seek solace in prayer.

After her return home, Tony settles into life as a divorced woman with her daughter Erika, adapting to her new role with a mixture of disappointment and pride. While discussions of her failed marriage are generally avoided in the Buddenbrooks house, Tony openly reflects on her experiences, framing herself as an experienced woman. Having seen Jean’s emotional side during the encounter with Grünlich, Tony develops a deeper connection with her father. Jean’s health requires them to take therapeutic trips and Tony finds these excursions a welcome change from her somewhat monotonous life in the city.

On a late summer Sunday in 1855, the Buddenbrook family awaits Jean, who is supposed to join them on an outing. An abrupt atmospheric change signals the onset of a heavy rainstorm. As they contemplate adjusting their plans, a maid urgently reports the alarming decline of Jean’s health. Despite immediate calls for medical help, Jean Buddenbrook dies.