Thomas turns to Schopenhauer’s philosophy, finding comfort in the idea of death.

As the family becomes more refined, they lose their "will to live."

Expands the business but begins the trend of prioritizing duty over happiness. Third Generation: Thomas, Christian, and Tony

Mann uses recurring phrases or physical traits to define characters.

The story is a fictionalized version of Mann's own family history. The role of Schopenhauer's philosophy in Thomas’s death? A comparison to other "family saga" novels?

Scandals and failed marriages drain the family's social capital.

The "black sheep"; a hypochondriac who prefers the theater to work.