Final answer:
The passage is from a work of literature that vividly describes a scene between a dentist named McTeague and his patient, possibly from Frank Norris's novel 'McTeague' which illustrates the dentist's practice and his interactions with a female patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage provided is an excerpt from a piece of literature that describes a dental health situation with a patient and dentist, named McTeague. The description revolves around the patient's injury and McTeague's inspection and reaction to the situation. The literary elements paint a vivid picture of McTeague's personality, his practice, and his interaction with his patient.
The passage uses detailed imagery to describe the abandoned dining table and how McTeague appears in contrast to it. The manner in which McTeague handles his patient shows his professional approach despite his personal feelings. The detail about the patient's teeth and McTeague's reaction to them reveals character development and a subtle change in his perception.