Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann. Short summary

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The work recounts the lives of several generations of wealthy Buddenbrock merchants as they sought to develop the family business and strengthen the family position.

1 minute

Living in Lübeck, the Buddenbrock family of wealthy merchants moves into a new home. The head of the family was Johann Buddenbrock and his wife. Their youngest son, Johann had 3 children, Thomas, Antonia and Christian.

Soon a letter comes from the couple’s eldest son, Gotthold, who had married a woman of lower class and was banished from the family. He demanded his share of the inheritance. In order not to deprive the family firm of funds, the old man refuses him.

A couple of years later, young Johann gives birth to a daughter, Clara. The record of this event is immediately reflected in the family genealogy book. As time passes, the elderly parents die and their youngest son Johann becomes the head of the corporation.

He, like his father, refuses to give his older brother his share of the inheritance. Gotthold was forced to sell his shop, after which he was welcomed back into the family.