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Chapter 8
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
McTeague and Trina are set to be married on the first of June. Leading up to the wedding, Trina’s house is in total chaos. Not only are there preparations for the ceremony, but also the Sieppes are planning to move to Los Angeles afterward. There is also a possibility that Marcus will move there, as well. Reluctantly, Trina spends a small portion of her money to furnish McTeague’s apartment and buy new clothes. Because Trina has won the lottery, Mr. Sieppe does not think it necessary to give McTeague a dowry.
Everything in McTeague and Trina’s life starts to revolve around money. Trina’s reluctance to spend money despite her fortune reflects her frugality and foreshadows potential conflicts in her marriage over money management. Meanwhile, the lack of a dowry demonstrates that Trina’s personal wealth has grown far beyond what her parents could ever offer.
Themes
Marcus and McTeague still are not talking. When McTeague tells Trina about the incident where Marcus threw a knife at him, Trina is surprised and angry that Marcus would feel entitled to her money. However, Mr. Sieppe and Mrs. Sieppe insist that Marcus and McTeague make up. Mrs. Sieppe forces Marcus to apologize to McTeague, and McTeague uncomfortably accepts his apology. Mrs. Sieppe also suggests that Marcus be McTeague’s best man, but McTeague chooses Old Grannis instead. Old Grannis is happy to be a part of the ceremony, as he has always considered marriage to be a valuable societal institution, even though he is not married himself.
Marcus and McTeague’s continued feud demonstrates how wealth can drive people apart. Both men’s egos have suffered as a result of Trina’s lottery winnings, and neither wants to be the bigger man and apologize, leaving Mrs. Sieppe to repair their relationship. Given that McTeague makes Old Grannis his best man, it seems that he and Marcus are left with an uneasy alliance at best.
Themes
The ceremony itself is a success, though it goes by quickly and feels somewhat superficial, after all the preparation leading up to it. After the ceremony, Marcus approaches Trina and congratulates her on becoming Mrs. McTeague, feeling good about himself for doing so. Later, McTeague and Trina spend time talking with the other attendees, who all congratulate the new couple on their marriage.
Marcus’s self-congratulatory behavior reveals his desire to appear magnanimous and involved, despite underlying tensions. Notably, he approaches Trina rather than McTeague, suggesting that his inner feelings differ from what he is projecting outwardly.
Themes
Following the ceremony is a great feast. Old Grannis and Miss Baker are seated together at a table, feeling uncomfortable. For some time, they do not meet each other’s eyes or say a word. However, eventually, Miss Baker breaks the silence to discuss her love of children. Old Grannis is surprised but happy Miss Baker is speaking to him. However, he does not respond, and they do not talk any further.
The discomfort between Old Grannis and Miss Baker at the feast highlights their social awkwardness and unspoken connection. Miss Baker’s attempt to break the silence reflects her desire for connection and communication, which Old Grannis shares but does not know how to reciprocate.
Themes
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Meanwhile, everyone else eats and drinks champagne. McTeague gets some champagne up his nose, for which Marcus mocks him. McTeague says nothing, but Trina defends her new husband. After some time, the wedding guests begin to clear out. The Sieppe family stays until the end, thanking everyone for coming. Marcus says goodbye to the Sieppes, knowing he will not see them for some time, as he has decided not to move with them to Los Angeles. As everyone says goodbye, McTeague stands alone in a corner, upset that everyone is saying farewell to Trina and the Sieppes, but no one has spoken to him.
The scene of celebration is at odds with the undercurrent of personal tensions. Marcus’s mockery and Trina’s defense of McTeague demonstrates that the feud between the two men is not going anywhere, especially now that Marcus is not moving. At the end of the wedding ceremony, McTeague realizes how much he has lost now that Marcus is no longer by his side. Although he has Trina now, there is no one around to say goodbye to him at his own wedding because his only friend now resents him.
Themes
When everyone else is gone, Trina says goodbye to her family, asking Mrs. Sieppe to write to her often. Mrs. Sieppe cries and tells McTeague that one day he will have a daughter and know how she feels. As the Sieppes leave, Trina wonders when she will see them again. She realizes that she is now alone with McTeague and, suddenly, a jolt of fear courses through her body. She looks around at the empty room and feels terribly isolated.
Trina’s sudden fear and sense of isolation reflect her anxieties about her new life and the significant changes she faces. Her reaction is not unlike the one she had when McTeague first asked her to marry him. However, although she does not realize it, she has this feeling in common with McTeague, who is also feeling rather alone at the moment.
Themes
Later, when Trina sees McTeague in their bedroom, she feels afraid of him. When he comes near her, she moves backward and vocalizes her fear. McTeague tells her that there is nothing to be afraid of and promises not to hurt her. Ignoring Trina’s fear, McTeague grabs her and pulls her tightly to him. Then, he kisses her on the mouth. Trina feels herself falling in love with McTeague all over again. She holds him tightly and whispers in his ear that he must be good to her because he is the only important person she has left in her life.
Trina’s fear and McTeague’s disregard for her emotions show a lack of understanding in their relationship. McTeague’s physical dominance contrasts with his verbal reassurance, suggesting that the only way he knows how to comfort Trina is by overpowering her. Trina reacts positively to McTeague’s dominance, once again reasserting Norris’s essentialist view of the power dynamics between men and women.
Themes
