Karen Karstedt Character Analysis in The Magic Mountain

Karen Karstedt is one of Behrens’s outpatients. She is among the “poor sick” patients Hans and Joachim visit during Hans’s phase of visiting the sanatorium’s “poor sick” in an effort to dignify their suffering. He and Joachim visit with Karen several times. Initially well enough to leave her bed, she accompanies the cousins on several outings around town. On one occasion, they wander around a cemetery and stumble upon an unoccupied plot that will become Karen’s grave. She later dies, and Hans is disappointed at not being able to participate in her funeral.

Karen Karstedt Character Timeline in The Magic Mountain

The timeline below shows where the character Karen Karstedt appears in The Magic Mountain. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Hans also enjoys his visits to Karen Karstedt , one of Behrens’s outpatients whom he recommended the cousins visit and go on outings... (full context)

...when they start arguing about health and sickness. The conversation starts because a resident named Karen Karstedt has recently died. Hans expresses his regret at not being able to participate in her... (full context)