Chapter 7, continued Summary

Clavdia departs for good, and Hans drifts into listlessness as the years stretch out. Behrens decides that Hans' persistent fever is due to a strep infection rather than tuberculosis, and orders new injections. The life of the Berghof rolls on, with new fads and distractions succeeding each other among the patients. Amateur photography, stamp collecting, a card game called "elevens," geometric figure drawing and the study of Esperanto all have their day. Patients obsessed with various fads and schemes often confide in Hans Castorp.

After some time, Hans is finally roused out of his stupor by a new phonograph in the social room. Hans becomes its custodian and listens for hours to symphonic and operatic records - especially Aida, Carmen and Gounoud's Faust, whose plots are similar to his own experiences with Clavdia. Hans knows that his immersion in music, especially...