To understand why the correct answer is 3, let’s break down each statement about Thomas Mann’s novels:
I. ‘Buddenbrooks’ is a family saga set in the early decades of the twentieth century.
Incorrect. 'Buddenbrooks' is indeed a family saga, but it is set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, not just the early decades of the 20th century. This makes the statement imprecise.
II. Aschenbach, the writer protagonist in ‘Death in Venice’, is preoccupied with classicism, especially with classical ideals of male beauty.
Correct. Gustav Aschenbach, the protagonist in 'Death in Venice,' is indeed obsessed with classical ideals, particularly those related to beauty and aesthetics.
III. In his second winter at the sanatorium, Hans Castorp, protagonist of ‘The Magic Mountain’ gets lost in a blizzard during a solitary skiing expedition.
Correct. In 'The Magic Mountain,' Hans Castorp does experience a blizzard during a skiing expedition in his second winter at the sanatorium, which is a significant event in the novel.
IV. Adrian Leverkuhn, the modern day Faustus in Mann’s ‘Doctor Faustus’ is a musician.
Correct. Adrian Leverkuhn, the protagonist of 'Doctor Faustus,' is a composer and musician, reflecting the novel's exploration of themes related to art and Faustian bargains.
Given this analysis, Statements II, III, and IV are correct, which matches Option 3.
Year-wise PYQs
