Marusya Character Analysis in The Magic Mountain

Marusya is a coquettish young Russian woman who is a resident of the Berghof. She sits with Clavdia Chauchat at the Good Russian table in the dining hall. Hans notices that Joachim tries not to look at her, and when he does look at her, his face takes on a sickly, unhappy appearance. It’s evident that Joachim has a crush on Marusya and is ashamed about it, a dissonance that represents his inner struggle between his sense of duty and his bourgeois sensibilities. Joachim finally interacts with Marusya when he returns to the Berghof after his illness forces him to abandon his military service, and it’s when Hans observes this brief, flirtatious episode that he knows Joachim will die soon.

Marusya Character Timeline in The Magic Mountain

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

...patients at his table and spots a young Russian woman, whose name, he overhears, is Marusya. Hans notes that Joachim won’t make eye contact with her and looks angry every time... (full context)

...asks Hans what he thinks of the other residents. Hans complains about “little Mazurka” (mispronouncing “Marusya”) and her incessant giggling. Joachim laughs, agreeing that she’s “too enthusiastic,” which is especially odd... (full context)

...and lies there on his back. He thinks about Joachim’s unhappy expression when he mentioned Marusya, particularly her physical features, and realizes Joachim must have a crush on her. Next door,... (full context)

...taking carriage rides. It’s mostly the Russian women who participate in this activity. Hans watches Marusya and Madame Chauchat get into a carriage, laughing and chatting with each other. Each time... (full context)

...he and Hans return to their rooms for their rest cure. Hans knows why—it’s because Marusya is there, laughing, and Joachim cannot bear his attraction to her. Hans wonders if Joachim... (full context)

...to these visions with a mixture of joy and horror. Joachim, meanwhile, doesn’t talk about Marusya, and so Hans doesn’t say anything to him about his infatuation with Clavdia Chauchat, limiting... (full context)

...eyes look sad all the time. When Hans accidentally walks in on Joachim talking with Marusya—whom, out of honor, he never once dared to speak with in all the months they... (full context)