Chapter 5 Summary

Hans has four weeks of mandated bed-rest. One day when he is dreaming about Clavdia in the dark, Settembrini visits his room and suddenly turns on the light. He warns Hans about patients who became so used to the Berghof life that they were unfit for anything else and because "lost to life." when Hans talks about his reverent feelings for death, Settembrini replies with unusual seriousness that Hans must be careful, because "once separated from life" death "is a very depraved force" whose attractions are strong.

Bed-rest over, Hans accompanies Joachim to get their x-rays. They unexpectedly encounter Madame Chauchat in the waiting room. Hans stares at her until she becomes uncomfortable. When he sees Joachim's beating heart in the x-ray, Hans experiences religious awe and remembers a family member who was reputed to have the "gift" of seeing those doomed to...