Introduction
'Quality' is a short story by the British author John Galsworthy. It is a poignant tribute to a German shoemaker named Gessler and his brother, who make shoes of extraordinary quality. The story is a meditation on craftsmanship, dedication, and the impact of industrialization on traditional artisans. The narrator reflects on the old shoemaker's commitment to perfection and mourns his passing.
Key Concepts and Themes
Setting: London, over many years as industrialization grows.
- Characters:
- Mr. Gessler — an old German shoemaker of incredible skill and dedication to his craft
- His brother — equally devoted; dies before Mr. Gessler
- The narrator — visits Mr. Gessler periodically over the years and narrates the story with admiration and sadness
Theme of Craftsmanship vs. Commerce:
The central tension in the story is between quality (artistic integrity, slow work) and quantity (commercial shoe-making that produces cheap but fast goods). Mr. Gessler refuses to compromise on quality, which leads to his financial ruin.
Theme of Dignity of Labour:
Mr. Gessler's work is his identity. He does not separate himself from his craft. Each pair of shoes is a work of art.
- Symbolism:
- The boots — represent dedicated craftsmanship and artistry
- The empty shop — represents the death of artisanal work under commercial pressure
- Starvation — Mr. Gessler literally dies because he spends all his time on quality rather than profit
How does the narrator describe Mr. Gessler's shop?
The shop was small and quiet. Two wooden legs of boots hung outside. Inside, everything was neat and orderly. The shop itself felt like an extension of the shoemaker's personality — quiet, precise, and devoted to craft.
How did Mr. Gessler feel about inferior shoes?
He was deeply offended by poorly made shoes. When the narrator showed him a pair bought elsewhere, Mr. Gessler was sad and could not understand how people could sell or wear such shoes. For him, a shoe had an ideal form that must be honoured.
What is the significance of the long wait for Gessler's shoes?
Mr. Gessler made each pair himself, with total attention. This took a long time. The long wait is not a failing — it is proof of the care he put into every stitch.
How does industrialization affect Mr. Gessler?
Large companies producing cheap shoes quickly begin to take over the market. Mr. Gessler cannot compete because he refuses to lower his standards. He loses business, loses his shop, and eventually starves while continuing to make perfect shoes.
What did the young man at the shop tell the narrator about Mr. Gessler's death?
The young man (who had taken over the shop) told the narrator that Mr. Gessler had been starving for a long time. He spent all his money on leather and worked until he died. He died of slow starvation while completing orders with perfect craftsmanship.
What does the phrase 'He made good boots' mean in the context of the story?
This simple phrase is the narrator's tribute to Mr. Gessler. It acknowledges that making good boots was his entire life, his identity, and his art. The simplicity of the phrase emphasizes the dignity and completeness of a life devoted to doing one thing perfectly.
What is the tragedy of Mr. Gessler's life?
The tragedy is that his greatest virtue — his commitment to quality — leads to his downfall in a world that values speed and profit over excellence. He is punished by the market for his very dedication.
Common mistakes
- Do not read the story as simply about a shoemaker. It is a critique of how modern commerce destroys traditional craftsmanship.
- Mr. Gessler is not stupid for refusing to adapt — he is principled. This is the heart of the story's moral complexity.
Summary
'Quality' by John Galsworthy is a tribute to the dying art of craftsmanship. Through the story of Mr. Gessler, the author mourns the loss of artisanal dedication in the face of commercial mass production. The story asks us to value quality, dignity of labour, and the human cost of industrialization.