The Mariabronn Cloister

The Mariabronn cloister is where the early and final chapters of the story are set. A well-kept, tranquil place, it is the home of a group of monks and novices, as well as students, some of whom are expected to eventually take their vows. Narcissus is a novice there at the story's opening, and becomes one of the teachers of Goldmund, who arrives as a student. Late in the novel, Goldmund returns to the cloister with Narcissus, who is now the abbot. Goldmund works there as an artist and then dies there.

The Village

The village initially refers to a village near the cloister. Several of the boys sneak out of the cloister to visit girls in the village, bringing Goldmund with them on one occasion. Later, after Goldmund leaves the cloister and begins his wandering, the village becomes many villages, one after another, that...