Buddenbrooks | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Thomas Buddenbrook - This character has great business, social and political ambitions but finds himself unhappy until he discovers the philosophy of Schopenhauer.

Tony (Antonie) Buddenbrook - This character enjoys a spoiled childhood and has two failed marriages.

Johann Buddenbrook (the Elder) - This character buys a home on Meng Strasse after the previous owner suffered great financial losses in his business.

Madame (Antoinette) Buddenbrooks - This character's marriage is one of convenience, but she learns to love her husband.

Johann Buddenbrook (younger) - This character is the Consul to Amsterdam and ends...
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