Chapter 8 Summary

McTeague and Trina spend an increasing amount of time together, and McTeague holds on to an obsession for having "a big gold tooth for a sign." Although he now has the girl, his sites are set on what he perceives to be an even grander conquest: the appearance of success, by way of a gilded sign in the shape of a tooth.

The dentist wants to spend Trina's winnings, but she thinks they ought to invest the money wisely. They decide that they will invest the money in Trina's Uncle Oelbermann's toy business, because he will offer his niece a greater interest rate than would the bank. In addition to this investment, Trina takes a side job, carving Noah's arks out of wood, to be sold in her uncle's store.

As McTeague and his betrothed spend more and more time together, McTeague and...