Quality by John Galsworthy: Summary, Themes, Textual Analysis & Important Question Answers

📚 Table of Contents

👉 Summary of The Text
👉 Theme Explanation
👉 Textual Analysis
👉 Textual Question Answer

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Summary of the text

The story "Quality" is narrated by a customer who knew Mr. Gessler, a German bootmaker in London, from his youth. Mr. Gessler and his elder brother owned a small boot shop where they handcrafted boots of exceptional quality. They believed that boot-making was an art and took great pride in their work.

The narrator admired Mr. Gessler's dedication, honesty, and craftsmanship. The boots he made were durable, comfortable, and perfectly fitted. However, the Gessler brothers struggled to compete with large firms that attracted customers through advertisements rather than quality work.

When the narrator once complained about a pair of creaking boots, Mr. Gessler took full responsibility and offered to repair them or remove their cost from the bill. This showed his commitment to customer satisfaction and professional integrity.

As time passed, business declined. Mr. Gessler's elder brother died, and Mr. Gessler continued working alone. Despite worsening financial conditions, he remained devoted to producing the finest boots. He refused to compromise on quality, advertise his business, or allow anyone else to work on his boots.

Eventually, when the narrator returned to London after some time, he discovered that Mr. Gessler had died. The new shop owner explained that he had practically starved himself because he spent all his money on rent and the best leather while working tirelessly day and night. Though he died poor, he remained faithful to his craft until the end.

Quality By John Galsworthy

Theme Explanation

1. Quality vs. Commercialism

This is the central theme of the story. Mr. Gessler believes in producing the finest boots possible, while large firms focus on advertising and mass production. His boots are superior in quality, but he loses customers because big companies attract people through marketing and faster service.

Example: Mr. Gessler says that large firms get business "by advertisement, not by work."

2. Dedication to One's Craft

Mr. Gessler treats boot-making as an art rather than a business. He carefully selects the leather, personally makes every pair of boots, and never compromises on workmanship.

Example: He spends days and nights making boots and refuses to let anyone else touch them.

3. Pride and Professional Integrity

Mr. Gessler takes immense pride in his work. When the narrator complains about a pair of boots that creaked, he does not argue or make excuses. Instead, he offers to repair them or remove the cost from the bill.

Example: "If I can do nothing with them, I take them off your bill."

4. The Struggle of Traditional Craftsmen

The story highlights the difficulties faced by skilled artisans in a modern industrial society. Traditional craftsmen cannot compete with large businesses that produce goods quickly and cheaply.

Example: Despite making the best boots in London, Mr. Gessler loses customers and eventually dies in poverty.

Textual Analysis

Text

I knew him from the days of my extreme youth, because he made my father’s boots. He lived with his elder brother in his shop, which was in a small by-street in a fashionable part of London.

The shop had a certain quiet distinction. There was no sign upon it other than the name of Gessler Brothers; and in the window a few pairs of boots. He made only what was ordered, and what he made never failed to fit. To make boots—such boots as he made—seemed to me then, and still seems to me, mysterious and wonderful.

I remember well my shy remarks, one day, while stretching out to him my youthful foot. “Isn’t it awfully hard to do, Mr Gessler?” And his answer, given with a sudden smile from out of the redness of his beard: “Id is an ardt!’’

It was not possible to go to him very often— his boots lasted terribly, having something beyond the temporary, some essence of the boot stitched into them.

One went in, not as into most shops, but restfully, as one enters a church, and sitting on the single wooden chair, waited. A guttural sound, and the tip-tap of his slippers beating the narrow wooden stairs and he would stand before one without coat, a little bent, in leather apron, with sleeves turned back, blinking—as if awakened from some dream of boots.

And I would say, “How do you do, Mr Gessler?

Could you make me a pair of Russian-leather boots?”

Without a word he would leave me retiring whence he came, or into the other portion of the shop, and I would continue to rest in the wooden chair inhaling the incense of his trade. Soon he would come back, holding in his hand a piece of gold-brown leather. With eyes fixed on it he would remark, “What a beaudiful biece!” When I too had admired it, he would speak again. “When do you wand dem?” And I would answer, “Oh! As soon as you conveniently can.” And he would say, “Tomorrow fordnighd?” Or if he were his elder brother: “I will ask my brudder.”

Then I would murmur, “Thank you! Good morning, Mr Gessler.” “Good morning” he would reply, still looking at the leather in his hand. And as I moved to the door, I would hear the tip-tap of his slippers going up the stairs: to his dream of boots.

I cannot forget that day on which I had occasion to say to him, “Mr Gessler, that last pair of boots creaked, you know.”

Word Meaning

Extreme youth - Early childhood
Fashionable - Stylish and popular
Distinction - Excellence or uniqueness
Guttural Deep-throated sound
Apron - Protective garment
Inhaling - Breathing in
Incense - Pleasant smell
Admired - Appreciated
Murmur - Speak softly
Creaked - Made a squeaking sound
Conveniently - At a suitable time

Explanation

The narrator recalls his childhood memories of Mr. Gessler, a skilled bootmaker who made boots for his father. Mr. Gessler and his brother owned a small shop in London and were known for making high-quality boots that lasted a long time. He believed that boot-making was an art and took great pride in his work.
The shop was quiet and peaceful, and Mr. Gessler was completely devoted to making perfect boots. He carefully selected the best leather for every order. The narrator admired his dedication and craftsmanship. The passage ends when the narrator mentions that one pair of boots had creaked, introducing Mr. Gessler's concern for maintaining the highest quality in his work.

Text

He looked at me for a time without replying, as if expecting me to withdraw or qualify the statement, then said,“ld shouldn’d’ave greaked.’’

“It did, I’m afraid.” “You god dem wed before dey found demselves.”

“I don’t think so.” “At that he lowered his eyes, as if hunting for memory of those boots and I felt sorry I had mentioned this grave thing. “Zend dem back,” he said, “I will look at dem.”

“Zome boods,” he continued slowly, “are bad from birdt. If I can do noding wid dem I take dem off your bill.”

Once (once only) I went absent-mindedly into his shop in a pair of boots bought in an emergency at some large firm. He took my order without showing me any leather and I could feel his eyes penetrating the inferior covering of my foot. At last he said, “Dose are nod my boods.”

The tone was not one of anger, nor of sorrow, not even of contempt, but there was in it something quiet that froze the blood. He put his hand down and pressed a finger on the place where the left boot was not quite comfortable.

“Id ‘urds’ you dere,” he said, “Dose big virms ’ave no self-respect.” And then, as if something had given way within him, he spoke long and bitterly. It was the only time I ever heard him discuss the conditions and hardships of his trade.

“Dey get id all,” he said, “dey get id by advertisement, nod by work. Dey take id away from us, who lofe our boods. Id gomes to dis— bresently I haf no work. Every year id gets less. You will see.” And looking at his lined face I saw things I had never noticed before, bitter things and bitter struggle and what a lot of grey hairs there seemed suddenly in his red beard!

As best I could, I explained the circumstances of those ill-omened boots. But his face and voice made so deep an impression that during the next few minutes I ordered many pairs. They lasted longer than ever. And I was not able to go to him for nearly two years.

It was many months before my next visit to his shop. This time it appeared to be his elder brother, handling a piece of leather.

“Well, Mr Gessler,” I said, “how are you?” He came close, and peered at me. “I am breddy well,” he said slowly “but my elder brudder is dead.”

And I saw that it was indeed himself but how aged and wan! And never before had I heard him mention his brother. Much shocked, I murmured, “Oh! I am sorry!”

“Yes,” he answered, “he was a good man, he made a good bood. But he is dead.” And he touched the top of his head, where the hair had suddenly gone as thin as it had been on that of his poor brother, to indicate, I suppose, the cause of his death. “Do you wand any boods?” And he held up the leather in his hand. “ld’s a beaudiful biece.”

I ordered several pairs. It was very long before they came—but they were better than ever. One simply could not wear them out. And soon after that I went abroad.

It was over a year before I was again in London. And the first shop I went to was my old friend’s. I had left a man of sixty; I came back to one of seventy-five, pinched and worn, who genuinely, this time, did not at first know me.

Word Meaning

Withdraw - Take back a statement
Qualify - Modify or soften a statement
Lowered his eyes - Looked down sadly
Penetrating - Looking deeply and carefully
Contempt - Feeling of disrespect
Hardships - Difficulties and struggles
Advertisement - Public promotion of products
Bitterly - With sadness and resentment
Lined face - Face marked with wrinkles
Ill-omened - Unlucky or unfortunate
Peered - Looked closely
Wan - Pale and weak
Indicate - Show or point out
Abroad - In a foreign country
Pinched - Thin and worn-looking
Worn - Tired and exhausted

Explanation

When the narrator complained that a pair of boots had creaked, Mr. Gessler was surprised because he always ensured high quality. He honestly offered to inspect the boots and even remove the charge if they were defective. This shows his sincerity and professional integrity.

Later, the narrator visited the shop wearing boots bought from a large firm. Mr. Gessler immediately noticed that they were not his boots and criticized large companies for gaining customers through advertisements rather than quality work. He expressed his sadness over the decline of traditional craftsmen like himself.

After a long gap, the narrator returned and found Mr. Gessler looking older and weaker. He learned that Mr. Gessler's elder brother had died. Despite his loss and poor health, Mr. Gessler continued making excellent boots. The narrator ordered several pairs, which turned out to be even better than before.

When the narrator returned to London after another year, he found Mr. Gessler greatly aged and exhausted. His appearance reflected years of hard work, loneliness, and financial struggle.

Text

“Do you wand any boods?” he said. “I can make dem quickly; id is a zlack dime.”

I answered, “Please, please! I want boots all around—every kind.”

I had given those boots up when one evening they came. One by one I tried them on. In shape and fit, in finish and quality of leather they were the best he had ever made. I flew downstairs, wrote a cheque and posted it at once with my own hand.

A week later, passing the little street, I thought I would go in and tell him how splendidly the new boots fitted. But when I came to where his shop had been, his name was gone.

I went in very much disturbed. In the shop, there was a young man with an English face.

“Mr Gessler in?” I said.

“No, sir,” he said. “No, but we can attend to anything with pleasure. We’ve taken the shop over.”

“Yes. yes,” I said, “but Mr Gessler?”

“Oh!” he answered, “dead.”

“Dead! But I only received these boots from him last Wednesday week.”

“Ah!” he said, “poor old man starved himself. Slow starvation, the doctor called it! You see he went to work in such a way! Would keep the shop on; wouldn’t have a soul touch his boots except himself. When he got an order, it took him such a time. People won’t wait. He lost everybody. And there he’d sit, going on and on. I will say that for him—not a man in London made a better boot. But look at the competition! He never advertised! Would have the best leather too, and do it all himself. Well, there it is. What could you expect with his ideas?”

“But starvation!”

“That may be a bit flowery, as the saying is— but I know myself he was sitting over his boots day and night, to the very last you see, I used to watch him. Never gave himself time to eat; never had a penny in the house. All went in rent and leather. How he lived so long I don’t know. He regularly let his fire go out. He was a character. But he made good boots.”

“Yes,” I said, “he made good boots.”

John Galsworthy (An abridged version of the original story)

Word Meaning

Slack – lacking activity; not busy

Fit – the way something suits or matches properly

Leather – material made from animal skin

Cheque – a written order directing a bank to pay money

Posted – sent through the mail

Passing – going by

Splendidly – excellently; very well

Disturbed – upset or worried

Attend to – deal with or take care of

Taken the shop over – assumed ownership or control of the shop

Starved himself – suffered from lack of food due to neglecting his own needs

Slow starvation – gradual weakening caused by insufficient food

Soul – a person

Advertised – promoted publicly to attract customers

Flowery – exaggerated or overly decorative in expression

Penny – a very small amount of money

Rent – payment made for the use of a building or property

Regularly – habitually; repeatedly

Character – an unusual or remarkable person

Day and night – continuously; without rest

To the very last – until the end of life

Craftsmanship – skill in making things by hand with great care

Quality – a high standard of excellence

Tribute – an expression of admiration and respect

Poor old man – an elderly man deserving sympathy

Made good boots – produced boots of excellent quality and workmanship.

Explanation

When the narrator met Mr. Gessler again, he found him old, weak, and short of work. Mr. Gessler quickly accepted the narrator's order for several pairs of boots. After a long wait, the boots arrived and proved to be the finest he had ever made. The narrator was delighted and immediately sent payment.

A week later, the narrator visited the shop to praise the boots, but discovered that the shop had been taken over by someone else. He was shocked to learn that Mr. Gessler had died. The new owner explained that Mr. Gessler had practically starved himself because he spent all his money on rent and the best leather. He worked day and night, never advertised, and refused to let anyone else make his boots.

Although he died poor and unrecognized, Mr. Gessler remained devoted to quality and craftsmanship until the very end. The story ends with the narrator's heartfelt tribute: "He made good boots."

Important Question Answers

1. Who were the Gessler Brothers?

Answer:
The Gessler Brothers were German bootmakers who owned a small shop in London. They were known for making high-quality handmade boots that fitted perfectly and lasted for a long time.

2. Why was Mr. Gessler's shop different from other shops?

Answer:
Mr. Gessler's shop had no advertisements and displayed only a few pairs of boots. The shop was quiet and simple, reflecting his dedication to quality rather than business promotion.

3. Why did Mr. Gessler say, “It is an art”?

Answer:
Mr. Gessler considered boot-making an art because it required great skill, patience, and craftsmanship. He believed that making perfect boots was more than just a job.

4. What made Mr. Gessler's boots special?

Answer:
His boots were made from the finest leather, fitted perfectly, and lasted for many years. They reflected his devotion to quality and attention to detail.

5. How did Mr. Gessler react when the narrator complained about a pair of boots?

Answer:
Mr. Gessler was surprised but remained calm. He asked the narrator to send the boots back for inspection and offered to remove the cost from the bill if they were defective.

6. Why was Mr. Gessler unhappy with large firms?

Answer:
He believed that large firms gained customers through advertisements rather than quality work. Their competition reduced the business of skilled craftsmen like him.

7. What did Mr. Gessler say about the boots bought from a large firm?

Answer:
He immediately recognized that they were not his boots and pointed out that they hurt the narrator's foot. He remarked that big firms had no self-respect because they did not focus on quality.

8. What happened to Mr. Gessler's elder brother?

Answer:
Mr. Gessler's elder brother died after years of hard work and struggle. His death left Mr. Gessler alone to manage the business.

9. Why did Mr. Gessler's business decline?

Answer:
His business declined because customers preferred large firms that offered quicker service and advertised widely. Mr. Gessler relied only on quality and word-of-mouth reputation.

10. How did Mr. Gessler die?

Answer:
Mr. Gessler practically starved himself. He spent all his money on rent and the best leather, worked day and night, and neglected his own needs.

11. Why is the story titled Quality?

Answer:
The title highlights Mr. Gessler's commitment to producing the highest-quality boots. It also emphasizes the value of dedication, honesty, and craftsmanship in one's work.

12. Describe the character of Mr. Gessler.

Answer:
Mr. Gessler was honest, hardworking, dedicated, and highly skilled. He took pride in his work, valued quality above profit, and remained committed to his craft despite poverty and hardship.

Long Answer Question

13. How does John Galsworthy present the conflict between craftsmanship and commercialism in the story?

Answer:
Through Mr. Gessler's life, Galsworthy shows the struggle between traditional craftsmanship and modern commercial practices. Mr. Gessler produces excellent handmade boots and believes in quality above everything else. However, large firms attract customers through advertising and quicker service. As a result, Mr. Gessler loses business despite being a superior craftsman. His tragic death highlights how society often rewards commercial success more than genuine skill and dedication.

Value-Based Question

14. What lessons do we learn from Mr. Gessler's life?

Answer:
Mr. Gessler teaches us the importance of honesty, hard work, dedication, and pride in one's profession. He shows that quality and integrity should never be compromised. At the same time, his life reminds us of the need to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining our values.

Friday, June 26, 2026