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Chapter 16
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
One evening, Old Grannis sits idly in his room, saddened by the recent sale of his bookbinding apparatus. Because he sold his bookbinding patent, he no longer has a job to do. He wonders whether he did the right thing, as now life feels empty and meaningless. As Old Grannis sits reflecting, Miss Baker decides to bring him a cup of tea. She nervously enters his room and offers him the tea, but she quickly becomes embarrassed, thinking her actions improper. Surprised, Old Grannis reassures her, expressing gratitude and happiness for her kindness. Miss Baker, still feeling ashamed, starts to leave. However, Old Grannis stops her, insisting she has made him very happy. She stands in the hallway, tears running down her cheeks.
Old Grannis’s sadness over selling his bookbinding apparatus reflects the loss of purpose and identity tied to work. Meanwhile, Miss Baker’s nervous attempt to offer comfort and her embarrassment demonstrate the social barriers and personal insecurities that can inhibit expressions of kindness. Old Grannis’s reassurance is an act of support that finally brings the two of them together. Unlike the other relationships in the novel, their time together is not disrupted by sex or the pursuit of wealth. Rather, they are two lonely people who long for connection. Here, they are on the brink of finding it.
Themes
Old Grannis takes the tray from Miss Baker, feeling a joy he has never known. He sets the tray down with her help and asks her to stay because he is feeling lonely. Miss Baker, still embarrassed, sits down and talks with him. They discuss his sale of the bookbinding apparatus and their shared moments of sitting close to the partition. At first, Miss Baker does not want to admit the bond she has felt with Old Grannis over the years. However, eventually her embarrassment fades, and she tells him the truth. Then, Old Grannis holds Miss Baker’s hand and kisses her cheek. As evening falls, they sit quietly together, finally united and understanding each other after years of living side by side.
Old Grannis’s invitation for Miss Baker to stay reflects his need for connection and the comfort people can find in shared experiences. Their discussion about past moments and the eventual admission of their bond highlights the significance of embracing emotional connections. The physical touch and quiet unity symbolize a deepened relationship and mutual understanding. This is the last time the novel shows these two characters together, though their happy ending is important to juxtapose with the tragedy that the other characters experience.
Themes
