Character List

2005-02-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

Magic Mountain-- Character List

Albin-

A young man who, convinced of his hopeless condition, threatens to commit suicide in the public eye.
Hofrat Behrens-

A doctor and director of Davos who represents the scientific viewpoint and its insufficiencies. The gaps in his scientific knowledge require him to engage in a little bit of charlantry. Hans goes to see his painting of Clavdia and Behrens gives Hans an X-Ray of her skeleltal structure. Behrens upsets Joachim by adding six months to his stay, though it isn't clear if Joachim needs it.
Ellen Brand-

Young, Danish girl, whose talents as a medium are ruthlessly exploited by Dr. Krokowski in his séances.
Hans Castorp-

Young man from Dresden instructed by his doctor to take a rest after his engineering exams. Hans visits his cousin, Joachim, in the Davos sanitarium and gradually becomes acclimated to its slow pace and bizarre atmosphere of sickness.
Clavdia Chauchat-

A married Russian woman, supposedly gay, who entices Hans with her Slavic features and spirit.
Fraulein Engelhart-

A promiscuous, old spinster whom Castorp uses to gain information about Clavdia.
Ferge-

A Russian, who participates in multiple discussions between Settembrini and Naphta; he is known as a prototype of the “eastern” man.
Pribislav Hippe-

Castorp’s schoolmate of a long time ago to whom he felt strongly attached. Hippe is German for sickle. Hippe is also an erotic influence on Castorp.
Barbara Hujus- Catholic girl whose fear of death is heightened when the priest administers extreme unction to her.
Karen Karstedt-

A little, ill girl whom Castorp, obsessed with consoling the “poor sick,” accidentally leading her to her grave.
Dr. Krokowski-

Behren’s assistant doctor, who, like his superior, represents evil.
Marusja-

An attractive but simple girl that Joachim admires; she represents his overly bourgeois behavior.
Adriatica Mylendonk-

Behren’s directress, who is homely and aggressive.
Leo Naphta-

Apostate Jew turned Jesuit convert who vehemently opposes Settembrini's optimistic views. Naphta is a pessimist and skeptic who believes in mysticism, terror, absolute order and despotism.
Mynheer Peeperkorn-

A Dutchmen who owns a plantation in Java and accompanies Clavdia when she returns to Davos. He represents pure vitality and feeling. He is a huge personality that dominates everyone and everything around him by his life force and hedonistic tendencies - even though he rarely manages to finish a sentence. Another aspect of the irrational in life that compliments Clavdia's Slavic version. Hans becomes friends with him despite his relationship with Clavdia, though this friendship eventually develops into a friendly relationship with Clavdia. Peeperkorn refuses to waste away with his disease and commits suicide, an act most view as admirable and in keeping with his personality.
Ludovico Settembrini-

Italian humanist who takes Hans under his wing early on. Settembrini introduces his young charge to the many fantastic personalities of Davos and explains the sanitarium's strange culture and atmosphere.
Frau Stohr-

An insensitive and uneducated woman. She represents the atmosphere of make-believe.
James Tinappel-

Castorp’s uncle, who is a respected consul. He comes to take home his nephew, only then fleeing when he notices that he “enjoys” the atmosphere.
Tous-les-Deux-

Grief-stricken Mexican lady, who is about to lose her second son to the sanatorium; hence the nickname (loss of two). Her sadness appeals to Castorp.
Wehsal-

Submissive character who falls in love with Clavdia and seeks Castorp’s company for this reason. Wehsal means “sorrow” in German.
Joachim Ziemssen-

Hans' cousin. A soldier sent to recuperate at the sanitarium, but who is anxious to return to his military duties. A "simple", bourgeious man from Hamburg.

Mann's Magic Mountain

Character List