The quote expresses the author's astonishment at the sheer volume of saliva that an ordinary person possesses. This may reflect a deeper commentary on the human condition, highlighting both the mundane aspects of life and the intricacies of our bodily functions.
In his book "Despair," Vladimir Nabokov invites readers to contemplate the natural processes that often go unnoticed. The observation about saliva serves as a lens through which the reader can consider the balance of the everyday human experience, blending the surprising with the commonplace.