McTeague Character Analysis

McTeague

McTeague is a physically imposing, unintelligent dentist living on Polk Street in San Francisco. Before becoming a dentist, McTeague (like McTeague’s father before him) used to work as a miner, and he maintains his working-class… read analysis of McTeague

Trina Sieppe

Trina Sieppe is a young woman of Swiss German descent. She begins the novel as a modest and somewhat shy character. She loves to picnic and enjoys the arts. She becomes the love interest and… read analysis of Trina Sieppe

Marcus Schouler

Marcus Schouler is McTeague’s friend and Trina’s cousin. At the beginning of the novel, Marcus is considering marrying Trina, whom he likes but does not love. At first, Marcus is a happy-go-lucky man… read analysis of Marcus Schouler

Zerkow

Zerkow is a Polish Jewish man who owns a junk shop on Polk Street. Zerkow is extremely greedy—his only concern in life is hoarding wealth. For instance, he only marries Maria Macapa because he thinks… read analysis of Zerkow

Maria Macapa

Maria Macapa is a washerwoman and junk dealer who frequently visits McTeague’s dental office. Maria is of Mexican descent and is portrayed as somewhat mentally unstable. She often tells stories of her family’s lost… read analysis of Maria Macapa

Old Grannis

Old Grannis is an elderly, retired bookbinder who lives in the same building as McTeague and Trina. He is a quiet and somewhat reclusive man who spends most of his time in his apartment… read analysis of Old Grannis

Miss Baker

Miss Baker is an elderly spinster who lives in the same building as McTeague, Trina, and Old Grannis. She mostly keeps to herself, though she does occasionally stop by to speak with… read analysis of Miss Baker

Minor Characters

Cribbens

Cribbens is a gold prospector whom McTeague meets while on the run for murdering Trina. Cribbens and McTeague briefly travel together, and they even find gold, but McTeague abandons him because he fears danger.

McTeague’s Mother

McTeague’s mother works as a cook. When McTeague is a young man, she sends him away with a traveling dentist where McTeague learns his craft. While McTeague is away, she dies.

McTeague’s Father

McTeague’s father is a shift-boss at a mine who dies from drinking too much when McTeague is a young boy.

Mrs. Sieppe

Mrs. Sieppe is Trina’s mother. She is a practical and no-nonsense woman, with a strong accent that reflects her German heritage.

Mr. Sieppe

Mr. Sieppe is Trina’s father. He is a strict, militaristic man who spends most of his time barking orders at his sons.

August

August is the Sieppes’ youngest son. He is often restless, and his parents do their best to keep him quiet.

Oelbermann

Oelbermann is Trina’s uncle. Trina invests her lottery winnings in his store.

Augustine

Augustine is a French woman whom the McTeagues briefly hire to help around the house.

The Other Dentist

The Other Dentist is a young, worldly man whom McTeague is jealous of.

Mr. Heise

Mr. Heise is a family friend of the McTeagues’.

Mrs. Heise

Mrs. Heise is a family friend of the McTeagues’.

Selina

Selina is Trina’s cousin who occasionally picnics with the Sieppes.

Mr. Ryer

Mr. Ryer is a family friend of the McTeagues’.

Mrs. Ryer

Mrs. Ryer is a family friend of the McTeagues’.

McTeague

Frank Norris

McTeague Characters

McTeague

Trina Sieppe

Marcus Schouler

Zerkow

Maria Macapa

Old Grannis

Miss Baker