McTeague · Chapter
XII explained
Marcus Schouler visits McTeague and Trina to say goodbye before leaving for a ranch, while Trina's miserly tendencies grow as she delays sending money to her mother.
What happens
Marcus Schouler visits McTeague and Trina to say goodbye before leaving for a ranch, while Trina's miserly tendencies grow as she delays sending money to her mother. Meanwhile, Zerkow's obsession with Maria's story of a gold plate service intensifies, and Maria begins to deny the tale after the death of their child.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Avarice
Trina's miserly behavior intensifies as she hoards money and delays sending funds to her mother, while Zerkow's obsession with the gold plate service exemplifies avarice.
Obsession and Possession
Zerkow's mania for the gold plate service and his relentless questioning of Maria demonstrate an obsessive desire for possession.
Marriage and Domesticity
The chapter explores the domestic lives of two couples: McTeague and Trina's affectionate but strained marriage, and Zerkow and Maria's sordid household.
Characters to notice
- McTeague
Sits with Trina in the bay window, is visited by Marcus, and argues with Trina about sending money to her mother.
- Trina Sieppe
Philanders with McTeague, receives Marcus's visit, and becomes increasingly stingy, delaying the money she promised to send her mother.
- Marcus Schouler
Visits McTeague and Trina to say goodbye before leaving for a ranch, showing affability and no apparent ill will.
- Maria Macapa
Now married to Zerkow, gives birth to a sickly child who dies, and begins to deny the story of the gold plate service.
- Zerkow
Married to Maria, obsessed with the gold plate story, and becomes frustrated when Maria refuses to recount it after their child's death.
Key passages
“At times, a brusque access of passion would seize upon her, and, with a nervous little sigh, she would clasp his thick red neck in both her small arms and whisper in his ear: 'Do you love me, Mac, dear? Love me big, big ? Sure, do you love me as much as you did when we were married?'”
Trina occasionally felt sudden surges of affection, hugging McTeague's neck and asking if he loved her as much as on their wedding day.
Illustrates Trina's need for reassurance in their marriage.
“Trina, you're getting to be regular stingy,' muttered McTeague. 'You're getting worse and worse every day.'”
McTeague accuses Trina of becoming increasingly miserly.
Highlights Trina's growing avarice.
“Zerkow had come to believe in this story infallibly. He was immovably persuaded that at one time Maria or Maria's people had possessed these hundred golden dishes.”
Zerkow was completely convinced that Maria's family once owned a hundred golden dishes.
Shows Zerkow's obsessive belief in the gold plate myth.