What are the motifs in McTeague: A Story of San Francisco by Frank Norris?

Greed is perhaps the most all-encompassing motif in the novel. Each character is motivated to some degree by greed, and it is the quest to attain the object of that greed that leads to the demise of so many of the characters. Trina's greed for her money is the most glaring example. She will stop at nothing to preserve her wealth even though the money itself is of no use unless it is spent.