McTeague · Chapter
Chapter II explained
McTeague begins his work week, preparing gold fillings for his dental practice.
What happens
McTeague begins his work week, preparing gold fillings for his dental practice. He recalls an appointment with Miss Baker, a retired dressmaker, and reflects on the quiet romance between her and Old Grannis, who live in adjoining rooms and share a silent, mutual affection. The chapter also delves into McTeague's internal struggle with his primal desires after meeting Trina, culminating in a kiss and a sudden, impulsive marriage proposal that frightens her.
Themes in this chapter
Determinism and Heredity
McTeague struggles with the 'foul stream of hereditary evil' within him, feeling tainted by the vices of his ancestors and unable to fully control his brutish impulses.
Isolation and Loneliness
Miss Baker and Old Grannis share a silent, solitary romance, each sitting alone in their rooms separated by a thin wall, never speaking but deeply aware of each other.
Marriage and Domesticity
McTeague's impulsive proposal to Trina introduces the theme of marriage, contrasting his crude desire with her fear and reluctance.
Characters to notice
- McTeague
Prepares gold fillings for the week; reflects on his encounter with Trina and struggles with his hereditary brutishness; proposes marriage to Trina.
- Trina Sieppe
Visits McTeague for dental work after a fall; shows a frank, boyish demeanor; becomes frightened by McTeague's proposal and experiences a fit of vomiting from ether.
- Marcus Schouler
Introduces Trina to McTeague and leaves them alone, saying 'Don't hurt her too much, Mac.'
- Miss Baker
A retired dressmaker with a room near Old Grannis; has an appointment with McTeague for a gold filling; shares a silent, mutual romance with Old Grannis.
- Old Grannis
Lives next to Miss Baker; shares a quiet, unspoken romance with her; spends afternoons sitting near the wall, aware of her presence.
- Maria Macapa
The Mexican woman who takes care of lodgers' rooms; first noticed and spread the news of the romance between Miss Baker and Old Grannis.
Key passages
“Below the fine fabric of all that was good in him ran the foul stream of hereditary evil, like a sewer. The vices and sins of his father and of his father's father, to the third and fourth and five hundredth generation, tainted him.”
Beneath his decent qualities, McTeague felt a corrupting inheritance of evil from countless ancestors, flowing through him like a polluted current.
Highlights the theme of determinism and heredity, showing McTeague's internal conflict with his inherited brutish nature.
“Old Grannis knew that at quarter of five precisely Miss Baker made a cup of tea over the oil stove on the stand between the bureau and the window. Miss Baker felt instinctively the exact moment when Old Grannis took down his little binding apparatus...”
Each was so attuned to the other's habits that Old Grannis could tell when Miss Baker made tea, and she knew when he began binding pamphlets, despite never speaking.
Illustrates the silent, intimate connection between Miss Baker and Old Grannis, emphasizing their isolation and mutual awareness.