"What is it they want from the man that they didn't get from the work? What do they expect? What is there left when he's done with his work, what's any artist but the dregs of his work, the human shambles that follows it around?"

In this quote by William Gaddis, the author is exploring the complex relationship between an artist and their audience, in addition to the existential struggle faced by developers. Gaddis is questioning what the audience seeks from the artist beyond the art itself. The questions stress a viewed insatiability-- the audience's desire for something more than the ended up piece, possibly a much deeper understanding or personal connection to the artist.

Gaddis asks, "What is it they desire from the guy that they didn't receive from the work?" suggesting the audiences might seek insight into the artist's personal life, inspirations, or character, as if these components might supply additional context or worth to the art. It highlights a societal tendency to conflate the worth of art with the personal narrative of its creator, an expectation that the artist need to somehow expose or sacrifice more of themselves beyond the development.

The expression "the dregs of his work" indicate the artist being seen as what stays once the act of creation is total. It touches on the deficiency or exhaustion that can accompany the creative procedure, in addition to the notion that an artist's identity might be eclipsed or consumed by their own work. The term "human disarray" recommends a fragmented or decreased state, proposing that the act of developing something extensive and consuming can leave the artist themselves in a state of chaos.

Overall, Gaddis exists a review of how society views artists, questioning the fairness and logic of these demands. He challenges the notion that artists owe more to their audience than their art, positing that the total worth of an artist must not be determined by what remains of them after the creative process. This quote reflects a deep inquiry into the nature of artistry, identity, and the sometimes unjust expectations put on creators by those who consume their work.