McTeague: A Story of San Francisco | Teaching Setting, Symbolism and Objects

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

The Concertina - Perhaps Mr. McTeague's most prized possession from his bachelor days, this item symbolizes, in turn, Mr. McTeague's independence, his renewed ability to stand up to his wife (when he refuses to sell it), and his loss of control (when he finds that Trina has sold it).

The Canary - This is the one constant in Mr. McTeaugue's life, even being with Mr. McTeague at this death, thus accompanying him full-circle.

Trina's Wedding Bouquet - Pressed behind glass and preserved, this treasure becomes frozen in time, untouched by the changing elements....
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