McTeague: Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

A few days later, on Washington’s Birthday (a national holiday), McTeague shaves while singing a song about loneliness. Once he is dressed and ready, he meets Marcus out in the hallway, and the two prepare to call on the Sieppes. In the hallway, McTeague hears Maria telling Zerkow more stories about her family’s wealth. Together, McTeague and Marcus make their way to the Sieppes’ home. On the way, McTeague worries that the Sieppes will turn him away at the door.

However, before Marcus and McTeague even make it to the Sieppes’ place, they run into the entire family at a nearby train stop. Marcus introduces McTeague to Trina’s mother, Mrs. Sieppe, who is happy to meet him. Meanwhile, Mr. Sieppe, a stern, militaristic man, is busy barking orders at his sons. McTeague is both surprised and pleased to find that Trina seems happy to see him.

Trina and McTeague walk and talk together as the Sieppes family makes their way to a nearby park for a picnic. Trina tells McTeague that the family has a picnic once every week and is surprised to learn that McTeague has never attended a picnic in his life. McTeague and Trina briefly talk about the period of McTeague’s childhood when he worked in a mine, as well as a variety of other topics ranging from politics to a new dog Marcus recently acquired.

Everything goes well until McTeague reaches the park gates and realizes he does not have enough money to get in. McTeague panics because he knows it would be rude to ask the Sieppes for money. Instead, he asks Marcus to help him out, which Marcus happily does. After a great day at the park, the Sieppes invite Marcus and McTeague for dinner at their home. Following dinner, everyone goes to bed early, as they are worn out from a long day. Mrs. Sieppe invites McTeague to stay over and McTeague sleeps by himself in Trina’s room. McTeague feels strange sleeping where Trina normally stays, but he finds the room charming and cozy. Before going to bed, McTeague looks through Trina’s closet and smells her clothes because he finds that they give off an intoxicating scent.

McTeague begins visiting Trina regularly and soon the Sieppes realize that he is her new suitor. One day, McTeague and Trina go for a walk together along the train tracks. There, McTeague plays his concertina and tells Trina about dentistry. McTeague also shares with Trina his dream of placing a large, gilded tooth outside his practice. Moments later, it begins raining. Suddenly, McTeague changes the subject and once again asks Trina if she will marry him. Trina says no but cannot tell McTeague why.

Then, McTeague grabs Trina, “crushing down her struggle with his immense strength” until she gives in and allows him to kiss her. As soon as McTeague kisses Trina, he finds that he likes her less because she gave up too easily. Trina pushes herself away from McTeague and begins to cry. She goes home alone, upset, though she tells McTeague he can call on her again the following Sunday. As she leaves, McTeague suddenly feels ecstatic because he thinks he has won her over.

Trina, still crying, returns home to Mrs. Sieppe, who is setting up a mouse trap in the kitchen. Trina explains what happened, and Mrs. Sieppe asks if she loves McTeague. Trina says she does not know. Mrs. Sieppe asks Trina why she would kiss McTeague if she did not love him. Again, Trina says she does not know. As Mrs. Sieppe asks these questions, the mousetrap she is setting up violently snaps shut.