Death in Venice, III (Continued) summary

What happens

1. Despite oppressive weather, Aschenbach enjoys the beach, watches the Polish boy, and works out that his name is Tadzio.
2. He observes Tadzio’s hostility toward a Russian family, his popularity among other children, and his friendship with Jaschu.
3. An elevator encounter reveals Tadzio’s unhealthy-looking teeth, and Aschenbach feels an unexamined satisfaction at imagining that the boy might die young.
4. A physically distressing walk through Venice persuades Aschenbach to arrange his departure for the next morning.
5. He bitterly regrets leaving, then joyfully uses his trunk’s mistaken dispatch to Como as a reason to return.
6. Seeing Tadzio from his new room, Aschenbach recognizes the source of his attachment and makes a welcoming gesture.

In this chapter

What to notice

The sentence captures the conflict between Aschenbach’s decision to protect his health and his resistance to leaving. The luggage mistake releases him from choosing openly.

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