# Johann Buddenbrook (the Elder) — Buddenbrooks character guide

> Johann Buddenbrook (the Elder) in Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** old Johann Buddenbrook, Herr Johann Buddenbrook

**First appearance:** 0001-buddenbrooks

## Who they are

The robust, jovial patriarch who founded the family's fortune, appearing in the early family chronicle.

## In the story

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

The patriarch, in his seventies, teases Tony about her catechism and displays his jovial, slightly irreverent nature and old-fashioned attire. He is skeptical of the new governess.

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

Host of the dinner. Uses his gold snuffbox and comments wryly on Christian's behavior and the ostentatious gift from Lebrecht Kröger.

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

Mentioned but not present in the scene. His strong prejudice against his son's marriage and the resulting disobedience is the root cause of the family rift and financial dispute.

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

Chides his son for his philosophical ideas and encourages a focus on the 'jolly present'.

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

Hosts the dinner, tells stories, expresses irritation with 'practical ideals' and modern education, preferring tradition.

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

Relaxes slightly but maintains perfect decorum, setting the standard for respectable conduct.

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

Found pacing in the dimly lit dining room after the guests have left.

### [A House Divided](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/buddenbrooks_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Dismissive and angry at Gotthold's demands. He views the matter as settled business and is pleased by his son Jean's decisive, financially sound counsel.

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

Sings a nursery rhyme while rocking Clara's cradle, beaming with pride and suggesting the baby looks like his wife, Antoinette.

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

Tony's grandfather, who interjects angrily about Heinrich Hagenström, calling him 'The old skunk!', showing the depth of the family's animosity.

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

Retires from the firm, expresses a sense of life's strangeness, and dies peacefully. His death marks the end of an era for the family business.

## Links

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