The Poschingerstrasse House, Munich

Thomas’ Munich house is a symbol of the nouveau riche: “The house was too imposing. It looked, he thought, like a rich man’s house, someone who was jot shy at his wealth being so obviously displayed” (117). Thomas’ insecurity about his new home in no way diminishes his fondness for it. He is sorry to have to abandon this house when his family flees Germany.

The Manns’ house in Pacific Palisades

The Manns’ house in Pacific Palisades is the closest they get to establishing a sense of permanency in America. Thomas is sorry to leave it behind when they move to Switzerland: “The house and the garden seemed more beautiful once [Thomas] knew he would lose them… He had come here only because the Nazis drove him out of Germany, but the atmosphere was not tainted by that, as it was not tainted by the...