The naturalistic literature of this country has reached such a state that no family of characters is considered true to life which does not include at least two hypochondriacs, one sadist, and one old man who spills food down the front of his vest.

Summary

This quote is a light-hearted statement that comments on the nature of naturalistic literature. It suggests that in order to be considered realistic, a family of characters in such literature must have certain exaggerated traits. The quote humorously lists some of these commonly seen traits, such as hypochondriacs, sadists, and clumsy old men. It implies that these characteristics have become almost expected and necessary aspects of naturalistic storytelling, adding a touch of satire to the discussion of literary realism.

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