Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family

by Thomas Mann

They strolled across the courtyard, and Hanno listened with delight to Kai’s banter, which was intended to help him forget his demerit. “You see, here is a door, a courtyard door, it is open, beyond it lies the street. What would happen if we were to step out there and stroll up and down the sidewalk for a while? It’s still recess; we have another six minutes, and we could be back in time. But the fact is: it’s impossible. Do you understand? Here is the door, it is open, there are no bars, no barriers, nothing—just a threshold. And nevertheless it is impossible, the very idea of leaving for just one second is impossible. Well, let’s disregard that and take another example. It would be quite absurd to say, if asked the time, that it is now about eleven-thirty. No, it is time for geography. That’s reality. But now my question, for one and all, is: Is this life? With everything totally warped out of shape. Oh, good God, if only the institution would release us from its loving embrace.”