# Dr. Grabow — Buddenbrooks character guide

> Dr. Grabow in Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** old Grabow, good Dr. Grabow

**First appearance:** 0001-buddenbrooks

## Who they are

The kindly family doctor who attends the Buddenbrooks through multiple generations.

## In the story

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-i-vii)

Diagnoses Christian's ailment as minor but internally reflects on the chronic overindulgence of the burgher class and the inevitable serious health outcomes it leads to.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

One of the departing guests, leaves with Senator Langhals and Jean Jacques Hoffstede.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

Attends to Madame Buddenbrook during her final illness, consulting with another doctor as her condition declines.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-iv-iii)

Present among the assembled citizens, greeted by Johann Buddenbrook.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-vi-vii)

Consulted by Frau Consul about Gerda; prescribes spa treatments like Pyrmont and Schlangenbad.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-vii-iii)

Mentioned as the Möllendorpf family physician who had tried in vain to curb the old senator's fatal sweet-eating habit.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-vii-v)

Advises Thomas to relax, but his advice is brushed aside by the overworked Senator.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-viii-iii)

Discussed critically by Tony for being old-fashioned and merely diagnosing Hanno's condition with a Latin term without providing deeper insight or effective treatment.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-ix-i)

One of the attending physicians. He informs Thomas of the seriousness of her condition (both lungs affected) and ultimately closes her eyes after death.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-xi-iii)

Referenced implicitly as the archetype of a physician applying standard treatments, though the text focuses on the general medical approach to the disease.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/characters/dr_grabow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/characters