The study proceeds from an inquiry into Thomas Mann's position with regard to tradition and the conviction that this question can only be answered by analyzing the way in which meaning is constituted in his novels (here "Doktor Faustus"). It transpires that the multi-tiered structure is a reflection of Thomas Mann's relationship to the Schopenhauer-Wagner-Nietzsche 'triad', more specifically to the concept of culture to be found in early Nietzsche. This places warring claims about Mann's status as a 'traditional' or 'modern' author in a new perspective.