Introduction to “Quality” by John Galsworthy

“Quality” is a well-known short story by the English novelist and playwright John Galsworthy, first published in 1912.

It is a poignant tale that explores the clash between traditional craftsmanship and modern industrialisation and consumerism.

Here are the key elements of the story:

• Plot Summary: The story is narrated by an unnamed man who is a long-time customer of the Gessler Brothers, two German immigrant shoemakers who run a small shop in London. The younger brother, Mr. Gessler, is a meticulous and deeply committed artisan who treats shoemaking as a high art. He creates boots of unmatched quality, fit, and durability, refusing to compromise on materials or method, and making only what is ordered. However, in the face of competition from large, mass-producing firms that rely on advertising rather than quality, the Gesslers’ business slowly declines. The elder brother dies, and Mr. Gessler continues to struggle, spending all his money on rent and the best leather. The narrator is shocked to return one day and find the shop taken over by an English firm. He learns that Mr. Gessler died of “slow starvation,” having worked tirelessly until the end but unable to make a living because his durable boots meant customers didn’t need to return often, and his refusal to advertise left him uncompetitive in the new market.
• Main Themes:

• Craftsmanship vs. Commerce: The central theme is the tragic downfall of a dedicated artisan (Mr. Gessler) whose commitment to quality and artistic integrity cannot survive in a capitalist system driven by profit, mass production, and aggressive advertising.
• The Loss of Art in Industry: Galsworthy mourns the vanishing of true, personalized skill and dedication as it is replaced by quick, inferior, and impersonal machine-made products.
• Dedication and Sacrifice: The story highlights Mr. Gessler’s extreme dedication to his craft, which ultimately leads to his death from neglect and poverty, illustrating the high cost of maintaining one’s principles.

The story serves as a powerful commentary on the industrial age and the fate of small, honest businesses and true artists.

The title “Quality” is significant because it highlights the main idea and central conflict of John Galsworthy’s story.

1. Focus on Excellent Work

The title refers directly to the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Gessler brothers’ boots. For them, Quality is the most important thing. They use the finest leather and spend all their time making sure every boot is perfect. The title celebrates their dedication to excellence, treating shoemaking as an art rather than just a job.

2. Mr. Gessler’s Character

The word “Quality” also describes the shoemaker, Mr. Gessler, himself. He has a high-quality character—he is honest, dedicated, and principled. He believes in his work so much that he refuses to compromise his standards for money. The title is a tribute to his moral integrity and commitment.

3. The Irony and Conflict

The title is deeply ironic (a result opposite to what is expected) because the Gesslers’ quality is what ultimately destroys them.

• Their boots last so long that customers don’t need to buy new pairs often.
• Their focus on perfect quality prevents them from spending money on advertising, which is what the big, low-quality companies use to succeed.

The story uses this title to show the sad truth that in the modern world, Quality (the artisan’s standard) is defeated by Quantity and advertising (the industrial standard).

Working with the Text:

1. What was the author’s opinion about Mr Gessler as a bootmaker?

The author regarded Mr Gessler as a “perfect artist” who was deeply devoted to his trade. He considered the boots Mr Gessler made to be “mysterious and wonderful”, noting that he only made what was ordered, and what he made “never failed to fit”. In the end, the author acknowledged that “not a man in London made a better boot”.

2. Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently?

The author visited the shop infrequently because Mr Gessler’s boots “lasted terribly”, meaning they “lasted very long”. The boots were made with such quality that they possessed “some essence of boot stitched into them”, making them extremely durable, so the author had no need to buy new pairs often.

3. What was the effect on Mr Gessler of the author’s remark about a certain pair of boots?

When the author mentioned a pair of boots had creaked, the remark had a deeply sorrowful effect on Mr Gessler.He looked at the author as if expecting him to retract the statement and seemed pained by the criticism.He offered an excuse, suggesting the author must have gotten the boots wet before they had a chance to settle (“found demselves”).He lowered his eyes and seemed to hunt for the memory of the boots, making the author feel “sorry I had mentioned this grave thing”.He then told the author to “Zend dem back, I will look at dem” and offered to “take dem off your bill” if he could not fix them, explaining that some boots are simply “bad from birdt” (birth).

4. What was Mr Gessler’s complaint against “big firms”?

Mr Gessler’s main complaint was that big firms were using advertising to take business away from traditional, dedicated bootmakers like himself. He bitterly complained:They “get id all… by advertisement, nod by work”.They “take it away from us, who lofe our boods”.He lamented that these firms “have no self-respect”, and as a result, he was losing work, and his trade was suffering.

5. Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?

The author ordered many pairs of boots primarily out of sympathy and an impulse to help Mr Gessler. He had just heard Mr Gessler’s long and bitter discussion about the hardships of his trade and the competition that was driving him out of business.The text implies he did not immediately need them, as his previous order had lasted a “long time” and the new order also “lasted longer than ever”. His decision was a direct, emotional reaction to seeing Mr Gessler’s lined face and the signs of his “bitter struggle”.