Miss Baker Character Analysis in McTeague

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 McTeague and Trina. She is secretly in love with Old Grannis, something she finally admits toward the end of the novel.

Miss Baker Quotes in McTeague

The McTeague quotes below are all either spoken by Miss Baker or refer to Miss Baker. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

After that they spoke but little. The day lapsed slowly into twilight, and the two old people sat there in the gray evening, quietly, quietly, their hands in each other’s hands, “keeping company,” but now with nothing to separate them. It had come at last. After all these years they were together; they understood each other. They stood at length in a little Elysium of their own creating. They walked hand in hand in a delicious garden where it was always autumn.

Related Characters: Old Grannis, Miss Baker

Page Number and Citation: 260

Explanation and Analysis:

Miss Baker Character Timeline in McTeague

The timeline below shows where the character Miss Baker appears in McTeague. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The following day, Miss Baker , a retired dressmaker, comes to McTeague’s practice. Miss Baker lives in the same building... (full context)

While McTeague is tending to Miss Baker , Marcus walks in with Trina. While McTeague is working, Marcus talks to Trina about... (full context)

McTeague finishes up with Miss Baker . Marcus introduces McTeague to Trina and then leaves the two alone. At first, McTeague... (full context)

...to a junk shop owner named Zerkow. This month, Maria starts with Old Grannis and Miss Baker . Neither Old Grannis nor Miss Baker have anything they want to give to Maria,... (full context)

...shakes Maria’s hand, congratulating her. Then, everyone in the building celebrates. Even Old Grannis and Miss Baker join, though they feel awkward in each other’s company. Even though they live in adjoining... (full context)

After the party, Old Grannis and Miss Baker retreat to their rooms. They can feel each other’s presence on the other side of... (full context)

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... (full context)

One morning, Trina sees Miss Baker coming back from the market and strikes up a conversation with her. Miss Baker tells... (full context)

While Trina and Miss Baker are talking, two of Marcus’s dogs round the corner and see each other. Trina warns... (full context)

...after Trina finishes a large Christmas order of Noah’s Ark carvings, she decides to pay Miss Baker a visit. However, she finds Miss Baker is not home. Instead, she talks briefly with... (full context)

...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... (full context)

Old Grannis takes the tray from Miss Baker , feeling a joy he has never known. He sets the tray down with her... (full context)

...ran off with them. Trina, realizing McTeague has deserted her, collapses in grief. That night, Miss Baker cares for Trina, who is hysterical. She calls a doctor to come check on Trina... (full context)