Part XI Summary

Part XI begins with a list of all those relatives that have recently died. Most of the family and the close friends of the family have died. After his brother's death, Christian Buddenbrook moves to Hamburg where he marries Aline Puvogel and makes her children his heirs. Soon after he is committed to a mental intuition. His new wife may now enjoy the benefits of his wealth and marriage without having Christian around. Thomas' will makes it clear that the business should be liquidated and the proceeds should go to his wife. The sale is done quickly, too quickly, and the family only gets a fraction of what the business is worth. Gerda decides to sell her large house and moves to a smaller home outside of town. She also releases the Buddenbrook's oldest servant Ida, who travels back to her...