# Joachim Ziemssen — The Magic Mountain character guide > Joachim Ziemssen in The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. **Role:** major **Also known as:** young Ziemssen, Cousin Joachim, Lieutenant Ziemssen **First appearance:** 0003-chapter-i ## Snapshot Hans Castorp's soldier cousin, dutifully waiting out his lung cure at the Berghof while counting the months until he can return to his regiment. ## Who they are Joachim is the sanatorium's model patient: punctual, disciplined, and quietly desperate to be well enough to rejoin the army. His upright military bearing and terse decency stand in constant contrast to his cousin's drifting curiosity and the establishment's languid fatalism. When he insists on leaving before he is truly cured, his decision becomes the first hard test of Hans Castorp's new life—and a warning about what the mountain does to those who take its rules too lightly. ## Relationships ### [Hans Castorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/hans_castorp) _family_ Hans's cousin and closest companion, whose disciplined nature contrasts with Hans's dreamy passivity. ### [Hofrat Behrens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/hofrat_behrens) _professional_ Behrens is Joachim's treating physician, overseeing his strict and ultimately tragic regimen. ### [Ludovico Settembrini](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/ludovico_settembrini) _social_ They are fellow patients and acquaintances, with Joachim respectfully tolerating Settembrini's lectures. ### [Clavdia Chauchat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/clavdia_chauchat) _social_ Fellow patients with a polite but distant acquaintance, as Joachim disapproves of her casual manners. ### [Hans Castorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/hans_castorp) _family_ Hans's cousin and closest companion, whose disciplined nature contrasts with Hans's dreamy passivity. ### [Hans Castorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/hans_castorp) _family_ Hans's cousin and closest companion, whose disciplined nature contrasts with Hans's dreamy passivity. ### [Hofrat Behrens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/hofrat_behrens) _professional_ Behrens is Joachim's treating physician, overseeing his strict and ultimately tragic regimen. ### [Ludovico Settembrini](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/ludovico_settembrini) _social_ They are fellow patients and acquaintances, with Joachim respectfully tolerating Settembrini's lectures. ### [Ludovico Settembrini](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/ludovico_settembrini) _social_ They are fellow patients and acquaintances, with Joachim respectfully tolerating Settembrini's lectures. ### [Hofrat Behrens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/hofrat_behrens) _professional_ Behrens is Joachim's treating physician, overseeing his strict and ultimately tragic regimen. ### [Clavdia Chauchat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/clavdia_chauchat) _social_ Fellow patients with a polite but distant acquaintance, as Joachim disapproves of her casual manners. ### [Clavdia Chauchat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/clavdia_chauchat) _social_ Fellow patients with a polite but distant acquaintance, as Joachim disapproves of her casual manners. ## In the story ### [The Magic Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/the-magic-mountain) Hans's cousin, a military man undergoing treatment at the sanatorium, who meets Hans at the station. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/chapter-i) Greets his cousin at the station, introduces him to the sanatorium's routines and residents, and serves as his initial guide. ### [Arrival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/arrival) Hans's cousin, a lieutenant who has been at the Berghof for five months. He appears robust but speaks with a medical fatalism, warning Hans that time is perceived differently 'up here' and that his own cure is not yet certain. ### [Number 34](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/number-34) Greets his cousin and guides him through the sanatorium, explaining the rules (like the nightly rest cure) and the recent death in Hans's room. He is matter-of-fact about the morbid realities. ### [In the Restaurant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/in-the-restaurant) Unbosoms himself to his cousin, expressing deep frustration with the stagnation and lost time of sanatorium life, yet finds joy in the company. His mood swings between laughter and melancholy. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/chapter-ii) Guides Hans through the daily schedule and explains the financial and temporal economy of the Berghof. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/chapter-iii) Explains the sanatorium's concept of time and money to Hans, emphasizing the smallness of the unit of time (the month) and the cost of staying. ### [Drawing the Veil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/drawing-the-veil) Makes a brief appearance, knocking on the wall and entering to find his cousin in a state of agitation, contrary to being refreshed by sleep. ### [Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/breakfast) Acts as guide and introduces his cousin; is chided by Behrens for his impatience to leave. ### [Banter. Viaticum. Interrupted Mirth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/banter-viaticum-interrupted-mirth) Walks with his cousin, explains Behrens's actions and identifies Hermine Kleefeld's pneumothorax as the source of the whistle. ### [Satana](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/satana) Presents his cousin to Settembrini; responds reflectively to Settembrini's question about being 'sunk' in the sanatorium life. ### [Mental Gymnastic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/mental-gymnastic) Performs his routine rest cure, taking his temperature and studying Russian. Serves as the pragmatic counterpoint to Hans's abstract musings on time, noting his cousin's unusual state of mind. ### [A Word Too Much](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/a-word-too-much) Acts as guide, explaining the surroundings and sanatorium rules. Shows visible distress when the conversation turns to Marusja's illness, revealing his own vulnerability. ### [Of Course, a Female!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/of-course-a-female) Insists on punctuality for meals; listens stoically to the table gossip; acts as a preux chevalier to Miss Robinson. ### [Satana Makes Proposals That Touch Our Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/satana-makes-proposals-that-touch-our-honour) Performs his evening rest cure with practiced skill, dismisses Hans's thoughts of leaving, and confirms the grim reality of suicides at the sanatorium. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/chapter-iv) Guides Hans through the daily schedule and explains the rationale behind the rest cure and the billing system. ### [Necessary Purchases](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/necessary-purchases) A quiet observer during the walk and debate, occasionally interjecting to note parallels between Hans's and Settembrini's thoughts. He confirms the blanket purchase. ### [Excursus on the Sense of Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/excursus-on-the-sense-of-time) Instructs Hans in the meticulous art of the rest cure, demonstrating the proper technique with the blankets. He matter-of-factly states that Hans's presence helps him 'hang on,' revealing his own reliance on routine and companionship. ### [He Practises His French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/he-practises-his-french) Accompanies Hans, introduces him to Sister Berta and the Mexican lady, and confirms his cousin's French is correct. ### [Politically Suspect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/politically-suspect) Sits with Hans, reflects practically on the value of the concert in structuring time, and engages Settembrini in debate. ### [Hippe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/hippe) Warns Hans not to overdo his solitary walk, showing concern for his cousin's acclimatization. ### [Doubts and Considerations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/doubts-and-considerations) Accompanies Hans to settle the bill and provides insider knowledge about the Berghof's corporate structure and Hofrat Behrens's history. ### [The Thermometer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/the-thermometer) Concerned for his cousin, arranges the joint medical appointment with Behrens, and is described as preoccupied during their walk. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/chapter-v) Explains the billing system to Hans and discusses the high cost of living at the Berghof. ### [Soup-Everlasting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/soup-everlasting) Tactfully respects Hans's reserve at first, but later insists they must plan for notifying home about the extended stay. His walks become solitary again. ### [Sudden Enlightenment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/sudden-enlightenment) Serves as a corrective influence on Hans, maintaining military discipline in the cure. He avoids discussing Marusja and, in the waiting room, buries his face in a magazine to avoid the tense situation. ### [Whims of Mercurius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/whims-of-mercurius) Serves as a silent, disapproving witness to Hans's maneuvers, looking away during the sun-shielding incident and walking in silence after the engineered greeting, which he likely views as a breach of propriety. ### [Humaniora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/humaniora) Accompanies his cousin reluctantly; helps praise the paintings; feels the wool was pulled over his eyes regarding the true purpose of the visit. ### [Research](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/research) Surprised by his cousin's expensive book purchases, offers practical advice about borrowing from Behrens and reassures Hans about the coming winter. ### [The Dance of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/the-dance-of-death) Accompanies Hans on his visits, showing silent discomfort and disapproval, which Hans overrides. His alarm is noted when Hans speaks of his career being interrupted. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/chapter-vi) Explains the billing system to Hans and discusses the high cost of living at the Berghof, showing his acclimation to its routines. ### [Changes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/changes) Shows signs of losing equilibrium; his voice is irritable, and he contemptuously mentions Krokowski's lecture. He seems vexed and possibly considering 'unlawful departure'. ### [A Newcomer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/a-newcomer) Less impressed by Naphta, focused on the military perspective and the primary goal of getting well to return to duty. ### [Of the City of God, and Deliverance by Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/of-the-city-of-god-and-deliverance-by-evil) Shows lively approval for Settembrini's arguments despite the jab at 'Prussianism'; sits up straight during Naphta's discourse on obedience. ### [Choler. And Worse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/choler-and-worse) In a state of heroic, agitated preparation for his departure, filled with joy and dread, taking final leave of the Berghof and its inhabitants. ### [A Soldier, and Brave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/a-soldier-and-brave) His military career progresses swiftly with promotion to lieutenant, but his health deteriorates, forcing a return to the sanatorium. Develops a persistent hoarseness and sore throat, examined by the Oberin. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/chapter-vii) Explains the billing system to Hans, treating it as a normal, if expensive, part of life at the Berghof. ### [By the Ocean of Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/by-the-ocean-of-time) Frequently remembered in conversation; his past utterances about the unreality of time up here are confirmed and haunt Hans's present reflections. ### [Fullness of Harmony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/chapters/fullness-of-harmony) Implied through the 'dearly familiar, sadness-evoking name' that Hans Castorp associates with the character Valentine in the 'Faust' aria, linking the music to his lost cousin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters/joachim_ziemssen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_mountain_se/characters