Thermometers/Cigars
In The Magic Mountain, thermometers symbolize Hans’s initiation into the Berghof’s culture of illness, idleness, and irrationality. When Hans first arrives at the Berghof, the pervasive presence of illness he discerns there deeply…
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X-Ray
X-rays represent Hans’s unhealthy and self-destructive fixation on death. Hans first sees his X-ray during a checkup with Dr. Behrens. The sight of his skeleton displayed so plainly on the screen before him…
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