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Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in McTeague, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Greed and Self-Destruction
Naturalism
Gender Stereotypes
Class Struggle
Isolation vs. Connection
Summary
Analysis
The McTeagues’ relationship starts to strain. Initially, their love might help them endure these difficulties, but over time, McTeague’s affection for Trina fades, and he views her simply as his wife. He misses the comforts Trina once provided, like special meals and pleasant outings, which they can no longer afford due to Trina’s extreme frugality. McTeague becomes irritable and starts to resent Trina’s stinginess. Trina, focused on saving money, refuses to indulge in even small pleasures, causing further frustration. Eventually, McTeague reverts to his old habits, spending Sundays alone as he reflects on their deteriorating marriage.
McTeague’s growing resentment toward Trina’s miserliness and the loss of small pleasures they once enjoyed continues to erode their marriage. As their marriage falls apart, McTeague becomes his old self and is married to Trina only by technicality. The only difference is that McTeague no longer has Marcus to rely on, making him completely alone in the world.
Themes
The McTeagues make $130 from everything they sold, but Trina lies to McTeague, claiming they received only $70, and hides the extra money. Their daily routine is grim: they rise at seven, Trina cooks a sparse breakfast, and then Trina works on her Noah’s Ark animals while McTeague searches for work. Briefly, McTeague secures a job, though it seems unlikely to last long. In the evenings, they eat supper together, but they do not speak to each other. Trina, once meticulous, becomes less tidy, and she works in a flannel that smells like wood shavings and paint fumes. Although Trina is the one who does not want to dip into her savings, this time is hard on her, as well.
Again, battles over money continue to decay Trina and McTeague’s relationship. Trina’s transformation from meticulous to disheveled demonstrates the toll that extreme frugality takes on her wellbeing. Trina’s willingness to take such a hit shows how deep her obsession with wealth runs. She is willing to sacrifice her own wellbeing to ensure that she can keep her money, even if it is not benefitting her in any obvious way. Like McTeague, she is deeply alone.
Themes
One day, Trina pauses her work as McTeague comes home early and reveals he was fired. Upset about their bad luck, Trina urges him to seek new work immediately. Reluctantly, McTeague goes out to look for a job, but Trina insists on taking the money he received upon being discharged. She lies and says she needs the money for household necessities. McTeague visits several potential employers but gets turned away and is forced to walk home in the cold rain because he does not have the money for a cab. As he trudges home, he grows increasingly angry at Trina, blaming her for his misery and their dire situation.
Trina’s insistence on taking the discharge money and her deception emphasize her control over their finances and her increasing miserliness. McTeague’s arduous job search and his growing anger towards Trina indicate that a climactic moment is coming. It seems that neither McTeague nor Trina will be able to live this way for much longer and that soon, one of them is going to explode.
Themes
Mr. Heise sees McTeague walking home in the rain and invites him into his shop to warm up. Then, Mr. Heise takes McTeague to a nearby saloon and insists he drink whiskey to avoid catching a cold. McTeague reluctantly drinks, which only increases the level of anger he feels toward Trina. McTeague and Mr. Heise also run into Mr. Ryer, who encourages them to drink even more.
Although Mr. Heise and Mr. Ryer do not do so intentionally, they encourage McTeague’s worst habits. Because McTeague is unhappy, he uses alcohol to drown his sorrows and escape from his crushing financial situations and home life. However, it is only a temporary respite, which is sure to make his behavior worse in the future.
Themes
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Meanwhile, at home, Trina converses with Maria about her troubles with Zerkow. When McTeague returns home, he is furious and blames Trina for his misfortune. They argue about money, and McTeague becomes aggressive, balling his hand into a fist. After the fight, McTeague falls asleep, and Trina searches his pockets because she thinks he might be hiding money from her.
McTeague’s physical threat and Trina’s subsequent search of his pockets demonstrates the utter breakdown of their relationship. Neither trusts the other at all, as they both plot to hurt each other. McTeague threatens to hurt Trina physically, while she plans to sabotage him financially.
Themes
