Aspects of Thomas Mann's personality are manifest in the two main male representatives of the third and the fourth generations of the fictional family, Thomas Buddenbrook and his son Hanno Buddenbrook. It should not be considered a coincidence that Mann shared the same first name with one of them.
Thomas Mann (like Thomas Buddenbrook) prided himself on maintaining an upright public persona and resented Heinrich’s scandalous behavior. Heinrich, who was also a writer, resented Thomas for his success and wealth.
Johann Buddenbrook, a genial patriarch who is a practical and serious businessman, leaves his grain business to his family-oriented son Jean. All fares well for the family until the time arrives for the Buddenbrooks’ bourgeois legacy to pass down to Jean’s children.
The Buddenbrook estate faces financial difficulties, and Gerda decides to downscale the family’s lifestyle. Hanno struggles with school pressures, feeling out of place and overwhelmed.
Johann Buddenbrook the Younger begins the apprenticeship of his son Thomas by giving a quick review of the big blocks composing their capital. He understands them well.
At the centre is the reluctant businessman Thomas Buddenbrook, a tragic figure who conscientiously dedicates himself to a way of life that gradually undermines him.
The artistic feature of the novel is the alternation of detailed descriptions of events (housewarming in the Buddenbrooks house, the death of Elizabeth Buddenbrook, one day from Ganno’s school life, etc.) with a “fast-forward” story, which is important only in its nominative meaning.
The death of Frau Buddenbrook brings about disputes over inheritance, with Christian demanding his share and clashing with Tom, who is tasked with maintaining the estate.