# IV explained — Buddenbrooks

> Chapter companion for Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann.

## What happens

The chapter depicts the tense, public election day for a vacant Senate seat, with the primary contest between Thomas Buddenbrook and Hermann Hagenström. The narrative follows the anxious crowd outside the Town Hall, capturing their gossip and speculation, and culminates in the dramatic announcement of Thomas's victory, delivered by his sister Tony who rushes home to tell him the news. It concludes with Thomas taking the senatorial oath.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class, Reputation & Public Scrutiny

The entire election is a public test of the Buddenbrook family's standing. The crowd's gossip scrutinizes Thomas's demeanor, Tony's marital history, and the family's connections, showing how reputation directly impacts political and social power.

### Family and Dynasty

Tony's fierce partisanship and the symbolic weight of Thomas's victory represent a triumph for the Buddenbrook dynasty over its rival, the Hagenströms. The oath of office marks Thomas's formal ascension to a position of civic authority that reflects on the entire family.

## Character check-ins

### Thomas Buddenbrook

The central candidate in the Senate election. He is depicted as pale and tense while awaiting the result at home, and later officially becomes Senator Buddenbrook, taking a solemn oath of office.

### Antonie 'Tony' Buddenbrook

The 'lady in the veil' in the crowd, intensely anxious for her brother's victory. She listens to the public gossip about the family, rushes home with the news of his success, and embraces him triumphantly.

### Hermann Hagenström

Thomas Buddenbrook's main rival in the election. The crowd discusses his wealth and physical appearance, and his name is a source of great anxiety for Tony until the final result is known.

### Stephan Kistenmaker

A third candidate in the initial rounds of voting, who receives fewer votes and is eventually dropped from the contest.

### Stephan Kistenmaker

Referenced as 'Eduard Kistenmaker' in the excerpt, a candidate who is eliminated early in the voting process. (Note: Canonical list uses 'Stephan Kistenmaker'; treating as the same character based on context.)

## Key lines

> “They say his sister’ve put away two men a’ready.”

Gossip in the crowd references Tony's two failed marriages.

_Shows how family members' personal lives are subject to public judgment and can affect the family's collective reputation._

> “I will conscientiously perform the duties of my office... So help me God!”

Thomas Buddenbrook takes the solemn oath of office for Senator.

_Marks the formal culmination of his political ambition and his commitment to civic duty, a key moment in his and the family's history._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-vii-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/buddenbrooks_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters