Quality by John Galsworthy – Summary & Analysis

The Story Line / Plot Summary

‘Quality’ written by John Galsworthy in 1912 is about the German shoemakers, Gessler Brothers.

The story starts with the description of the boot shop; on top was the name plate ‘Gessler Brothers’ and a few shoes displayed on the window. They make shoes on order. The narrator then narrates one of his meetings with Mr. Gessler. He says it has not been possible to go to him much because the shoes he made have lasted very long and are the best of their kind.

One day the narrator goes to their shop to get a pair of Russian-leather shoes. Mr. Gessler retreats upstairs and comes back after some time holding a fine golden Russian leather piece. After the narrator’s approval he says he’ll get his shoes tomorrow fortnight.

One day the narrator goes to their boot shop and tells him that the last shoes he got from him creak. After a long pause Mr. Gessler asks him to bring the shoes to him. He assures that if he can’t repair them, he will give the money back.

Another day he goes to Gessler Brothers to order a new pair, wearing a pair of shoes which he bought due to some emergency from a big firm. Mr. Gessler at once recognizes that the shoes are not made by him. He touches a particular spot on the narrator’s shoe where it isn’t comfortable for the narrator and says that it hurts there. He expresses his contempt that those large firms attract customers through shiny impressive advertisements to sell their inferior quality products. Then the author explains to him under what circumstances he had to buy those shoes.

The new shoes lasted nearly two years. And in his next visit he receives quite a shock. When he enters the shop, he sees the younger Gessler brother who informs him of elder Gessler’s death. That day he orders several pairs. It takes longer to make them but the quality is even better than the previous ones.

Soon after, the narrator leaves for abroad and returns after over a year. The first shop he goes to is Mr. Gessler’s. Mr. Gessler, now seventy-five, is unable to recognize him at first. Narrator gives a huge order. The wait is longer than ever but the quality only gets better.

After a week, while passing the little street, the narrator thinks to go in and tell Mr. Gessler that the boots are perfect. But when he goes to the place where the shop was, the name plate is no longer there.

Disturbed, he goes into the shop and a young English face greets him. The narrator enquires about Mr. Gessler and comes to know of younger Gessler’s death. Upon hearing this the narrator is quite shocked.

The young man explains to him that Gessler died from starvation; he used to devote himself to shoe making so much that he used to forget about everything else. All the money went in the rents and leather. The fate was quite obvious from the beginning. But both the narrator and the young man agrees that the Gessler brothers made good quality boots.

Publication

The short story "Quality" was written by the famous English author John Galsworthy. It was first published in the year 1912. The story originally appeared in a collection of Galsworthy’s works titled The Inn of Tranquility: Studies and Essays. This collection included various essays and stories that explored human life and nature.

John Galsworthy was a very popular writer during his time. He later won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1932. "Quality" is one of his most beloved short stories. It has been printed in many school textbooks and anthologies over the last century. Because of its clear message and touching story, it is often used to teach students about the value of hard work.

The story was published at a time when the world was changing fast. Machines were replacing handmade goods. By publishing this story, Galsworthy wanted to show the world what was being lost. The story remains relevant even today, more than 100 years after its first publication.

Context 

The story "Quality" is set against the background of the Industrial Revolution. This was a time in history when big factories began to take over the production of goods. Before this time, skilled craftsmen made things by hand. They took great pride in their work. However, the new factories focused on making many things quickly and cheaply.

This shift caused a lot of trouble for small shop owners. They could not produce goods as fast as the machines. They also could not afford to pay for big advertisements like the large companies did. As a result, many traditional workers lost their businesses. They struggled to survive in the new modern economy.

John Galsworthy uses this context to show a conflict. It is a battle between the old way of doing things and the new way. The story shows the sadness of true artists who refuse to lower their standards. It highlights how the modern world often cares more about money and speed than about excellence and care.

Setting

The story takes place in the West End of London. This is a fashionable and busy part of the city. However, the specific location is a quiet, small by-street. It is not a loud or crowded main road. This creates a calm atmosphere, different from the busy city outside.

The main action happens inside the shop of the Gessler Brothers. The shop is described as being very simple. It does not have any fancy signs or neon lights. There is only a small sign with the name "Gessler Brothers." Inside, the shop is quiet, dark, and peaceful. The narrator compares it to a church. This shows that the shop is a holy place for the art of shoemaking.

The time period covers several years. The narrator visits the shop over a long time, from his youth until he is an adult. We see the shop change slightly as the brothers grow older and poorer. The setting reflects the decline of their business. It starts as a solid, permanent place but ends with the name being removed forever.

Title Analysis

The title "Quality" is very important to the story. It refers to the main idea that drives the Gessler brothers. For them, making boots is not just a job; it is an art. They only use the best leather and the best stitches. They never make a bad pair of boots. The "quality" of their work is perfect and lasts a very long time.

The title also refers to the character of the brothers themselves. They have "quality" in their souls. They are honest, dedicated, and proud. They would rather starve than make a bad product. They do not cheat their customers. Even when they are poor, they stick to their principles.

Finally, the title is ironic. The modern world claims to offer many goods, but it lacks real quality. People buy things that fall apart quickly. The story asks us to think about what "quality" really means. Is it a flashy advertisement, or is it the silent, hard work of a master craftsman? The simple title holds the entire meaning of the text.

Narrative and Language

The story is told from the first-person point of view. The narrator is a loyal customer who has known the Gessler brothers since he was a child. He admires them greatly. Because he tells the story, we feel his sadness and respect. He is not just an observer; he cares about the brothers. This makes the story emotional and personal for the reader.

The language Galsworthy uses is simple but very powerful. He uses a calm and serious tone. One special feature of the language is the way Mr. Gessler speaks. The author writes his dialogue with a German accent. For example, Mr. Gessler says "id" instead of "it" and "boods" instead of "boots." This makes the character feel real and authentic. It reminds us that he is an immigrant who brought his skills to London.

The descriptive language appeals to our senses. We can almost smell the incense of the leather. We can feel the quiet atmosphere of the shop. The narrator uses comparisons, like calling the shop a "church." This shows that shoemaking is a spiritual act for the brothers. The writing style is slow and patient, just like the work of the Gessler brothers.

Quality by John Galsworthy – Themes

Craftsmanship vs. Commercialism

This is the central theme of the story. The Gessler brothers represent true craftsmanship. They work with their hands and care deeply about every detail. They treat their trade as an art form. On the other side is commercialism, represented by the big firms. These firms care only about profit and speed. They use machines and heavy advertising to sell inferior products. The story shows that in a battle between art and money, money often wins. However, the story also suggests that craftsmanship has a moral victory, even if it loses financially.

The Dignity of Labor

The story celebrates the dignity of work. Mr. Gessler is never ashamed of his job. He is proud to be a bootmaker. When he touches a piece of good leather, he looks at it with love. He believes that making good boots is a noble purpose in life. The story teaches us that any job can be dignified if it is done with love and excellence. The brothers work until the very end of their lives. They do not stop even when they are sick or hungry. Their dedication gives them a heroic status.

Loss of Tradition

The story explores the sad loss of traditional ways of life. As the modern world advances, old skills are forgotten. People no longer have the patience to wait for handmade boots. They want things instantly. The death of the Gessler brothers is not just the death of two men. It symbolizes the death of an entire era. It marks the end of the time when quality mattered more than quantity. The narrator feels a sense of loss when the shop is gone. He realizes that this kind of skill will never be seen again.

Quality by John Galsworthy – Symbols

The Boots

The boots are the most important symbol in the story. They represent the high standards of the Gessler brothers. They are described as "mysterious" and "wonderful." They last a very long time and fit perfectly. The boots stand for the brothers' integrity and honesty. They are not just objects to wear; they are masterpieces of art. When the narrator wears the boots, he feels respect for the maker. The boots also symbolize the brothers' life force. When they can no longer make boots, they die. The boots are the physical proof of their existence and their values.

The Shop

The shop symbolizes the temple of art. The narrator describes entering it as entering a church. It is quiet, dim, and smells of leather. This shows that the work done inside is sacred and holy. The shop is isolated from the noisy, busy world outside. It is a sanctuary where time seems to stand still. The removal of the name "Gessler Brothers" from the shop at the end symbolizes the final defeat of their art. The shop is taken over by a new, modern business, showing how commerce displaces tradition.

The Leather

The leather represents the raw material of art. Mr. Gessler treats the leather with great respect. He touches it lovingly and calls it a "beautifull biece." The leather is the connection between the craftsman and his creation. It is honest and real, unlike the fake advertisements of the big firms. The quality of the leather reflects the quality of the maker's soul. Choosing the best leather shows that the brothers refuse to compromise. Even when they are starving, they buy the best leather. It symbolizes their refusal to cheat.

Quality by John Galsworthy – Critical Commentary

"Quality" is a moving story that serves as a harsh critique of modern society. John Galsworthy effectively uses a simple story about two shoemakers to discuss a complex economic problem. He forces the reader to look at the cost of progress. We often enjoy cheap and fast goods, but we rarely think about the skilled workers who are pushed out of business. The story makes us question our own values. Do we support quality, or do we just follow the crowd?

The tragic ending is essential to the story's impact. If the brothers had succeeded, the message would be weaker. Their death by "slow starvation" is shocking. It shows that the world can be cruel to those who are too good for it. The young man at the end of the story explains their death coldly. This contrast between the brothers' passion and the world's indifference creates a strong emotional effect.

Critics often praise Galsworthy for his characterization of Mr. Gessler. He is not a typical hero. He is a simple, old, foreign man. Yet, he achieves a heroic status through his unwavering discipline. The story is an elegy, which means a poem or song of mourning. It mourns the loss of the personal touch in human relationships. In the past, the maker and the buyer knew each other. Now, we buy from faceless companies. Galsworthy warns us that when we lose this connection, we lose something human.