# McTeague explained — McTeague

> Chapter companion for McTeague by Frank Norris.

## What happens

The novel introduces McTeague, a slow-witted but strong dentist in San Francisco, and his daily life. He meets Trina Sieppe, who is brought to his office by her cousin Marcus Schouler for dental treatment. McTeague becomes infatuated with Trina, setting the stage for their future relationship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Avarice

Zerkow's obsession with Maria's story of gold dishes introduces the theme of greed early in the novel.

### Isolation and Loneliness

McTeague's solitary routine and lack of deep connections highlight his isolation.

## Character check-ins

### McTeague

Introduced as a large, slow-witted dentist who lives a simple, routine life.

### Trina Sieppe

Introduced as a young woman brought to McTeague's office by her cousin Marcus for dental work.

### Marcus Schouler

Introduced as Trina's cousin and a friend of McTeague, who brings Trina to the dentist.

### Maria Macapa

Introduced as a maid in the apartment building who tells stories about a set of gold dishes.

### Zerkow

Introduced as a ragman who is obsessed with Maria's story of the gold dishes.

## Key lines

> McTeague was a young giant, carrying his huge shock of blond hair six feet three inches from the ground; he was a young giant, with a great, square, red face, and a yellow mustache that dropped over his mouth like a great, yellow blanket.

McTeague is described as a large, imposing man with a red face and a thick yellow mustache.

_This description establishes McTeague's physical presence and simple nature._

> It was a Sunday afternoon, and McTeague was sitting in his dental parlor, reading the paper.

The story begins on a Sunday afternoon with McTeague relaxing in his office.

_This sets the scene for McTeague's routine life before meeting Trina._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/mcteague
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mcteague_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mcteague_se/chapters