Part VII Summary

Part VII opens with the birth and christening of the new Buddenbrook heir. Despite their fears, a son has been born to Gerda and Thomas Buddenbrook. They name him Johann, though he is often called Hanno. All the best people attend the christening including the head of the city and all of the distant members of the family return home for the event. Still, despite the happiness, some people notice that the child looks sickly and it is clear that Christian and Clara's health is deteriorating.

Christian, who has been running his own business in Hamburg for some time now, requests a hearing with Thomas immediately. Christian tells Thomas of his ever-worsening health and also informs him of the fate of his business. Christian's firm is bankrupt and without any funds from the business, Christian has been going into debt using...