Chapter 5: Quality
(From NCERT Honeycomb, Class 7 English)
Author: John Galsworthy
Story Overview
"Quality" is a poignant short story that pays tribute to the dedication, artistry, and struggles of traditional craftsmen in an era dominated by mass production and advertising. It follows the life of Mr. Gessler, a German shoemaker in London, who is a true artist in his craft. The narrator, a loyal customer, witnesses Mr. Gessler's unwavering commitment to making only the highest quality boots, even as his business slowly dwindles due to changing market demands.
Detailed Summary
The Master Bootmaker
The story is about a German shoemaker, Mr. Gessler, who owns a small shop in London. He makes only custom-made boots on order and is a master of his trade. He does not advertise; his reputation rests solely on the excellence and durability of his footwear. The narrator, a regular customer, admires Mr. Gessler's dedication. When the narrator visits the shop, he is greeted by Mr. Gessler, a small, old man with a serious, almost sad, face, who treats shoemaking as a sacred art. He takes immense pride in his work, using the finest leather and taking his time to craft each pair perfectly.
Mr. Gessler's process is meticulous. He holds the foot, feels the leather, and speaks very little, except when discussing boots. He can discern the origin of any leather just by touching it and often sighs deeply over the 'great qualities' of certain pieces. His boots last exceptionally long, making customers wait for their next pair for an unusually extended period.
The Competition and Decline
Over the years, the narrator observes Mr. Gessler's slow decline. The younger Gessler brother, who was livelier, dies. Mr. Gessler himself becomes older, frailer, and more withdrawn. The narrator once casually mentions a pair of boots he bought elsewhere because he needed them quickly. Mr. Gessler's reaction is deeply hurt; he touches the ill-fitting boots and identifies their flaw as a lack of natural fit, attributing it to "big firms" and advertising, which he despises.
He explains how large firms take away business by attracting customers with flashy advertisements, even if their products lack true quality. He passionately describes the struggle of honest craftsmen like himself who cannot compete with such tactics. This conversation highlights Mr. Gessler's old-world values and his disdain for the commercial aspects of the modern world.
The Final Visit and Revelation
On his last visit, the narrator finds Mr. Gessler looking much older and thinner. He orders several pairs of boots. When he returns a year later, the shop is gone, replaced by another name. The narrator learns from a young Englishman that Mr. Gessler had passed away. The Englishman explains that Mr. Gessler "starved himself" to death. He never put aside money, pouring all his energy and meager earnings into buying the best leather and making the perfect boots. He worked diligently, never compromising on quality, even as customers dwindled and he struggled to pay rent and for necessities.
His extreme dedication meant he had no time for anything else and couldn't keep up with modern business practices like advertising, which big firms thrived on. He died with no savings, but with his integrity and the high "quality" of his craft intact. The Englishman comments that Mr. Gessler was a "character" and the "best bootmaker in London."
Characters in the Story
- Mr. Gessler: A German shoemaker in London. He is the central character, a man of immense dedication, integrity, and artistic temperament. He values quality above all else and struggles to survive in a commercial world. He is quiet, focused, and deeply passionate about his craft.
- The Narrator (John Galsworthy): A loyal customer who admires Mr. Gessler's artistry. He acts as the observer and storyteller, chronicling Mr. Gessler's life and decline, and expressing profound respect for the shoemaker's dedication.
- The Younger Gessler Brother: Mr. Gessler's brother, who briefly features in the story before his death. He is described as livelier and perhaps less intensely focused than Mr. Gessler.
- The Young English Manager: The person who takes over the shop after Mr. Gessler's death. He provides the final pieces of information about Mr. Gessler's demise, acknowledging his unique quality despite his impracticality in business.
Themes
- Artistry vs. Commerce: The central theme is the conflict between true craftsmanship and the demands of modern business. Mr. Gessler represents pure artistry, while big firms represent commercial success through advertising and mass production.
- Dedication and Passion: Mr. Gessler's unwavering commitment to quality, even at the cost of his own well-being, is a powerful depiction of dedication to one's craft.
- Loss of Traditional Crafts: The story laments the decline of traditional trades and skilled craftsmen in the face of industrialization and rampant consumerism.
- Quality over Quantity: Mr. Gessler's life is a testament to the belief that true quality, though perhaps not immediately profitable, holds intrinsic value.
- Solitude and Sacrifice: Mr. Gessler's solitary life and ultimate sacrifice for his art evoke sympathy and highlight the cost of uncompromising integrity.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Unflinching | Not showing fear or hesitation in the face of danger or difficulty |
| Artistry | Creative skill or ability |
| Lamentable | (Of circumstances or conditions) deplorable; regrettable |
| Habitual | Done or doing constantly or as a habit |
| Rueful | Expressing sorrow or regret, especially when in a slightly humorous way |
| Patronised | Treated with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority |
| Endeavour | An attempt to achieve a goal |
| Grievous | (Of something bad) very severe or serious |
| Starvation | Suffering or death caused by lack of food |
| Character | A person's moral and ethical qualities, or (here) an unusual/eccentric person |
| Lingered | Stayed in a place longer than necessary because of a reluctance to leave |
| Curiously | In a way that shows a desire to know or learn something |
| Mystic | A person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect. (Here, relates to a mystical dedication to craft) |
| Fastidious | Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail |
| Bespoke | Made to order (especially clothing) |
| Immense | Extremely large or great, especially in scale or degree |
| Dwindled | Diminished gradually in size, amount, or strength |
NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers
Working With The Text
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What was Mr. Gessler’s complaint against ‘big firms’?
Mr. Gessler's complaint against 'big firms' was that they got all the business through advertising, not by quality. He believed they stole his customers by attracting them with flashy ads, even though their boots were not made with the same care and quality, causing the true craftsmen to suffer and eventually starve.
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What was the effect on Mr. Gessler of the narrator’s remark about a certain pair of boots?
The narrator's remark about buying a pair of boots elsewhere had a deeply hurtful effect on Mr. Gessler. He looked at the narrator for a long time without speaking, then expressed his pain by touching the ill-fitting boots and commenting on their lack of 'self' (natural fit), equating it with the struggle of craftsmen like himself who were losing business to big firms due to advertising.
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What was Mr. Gessler’s speciality as a shoemaker?
Mr. Gessler's speciality as a shoemaker was his uncompromising dedication to quality and craftsmanship. He made only custom-ordered boots, using the finest leather, fitting them perfectly, and ensuring they lasted an exceptionally long time. He viewed shoemaking as an art and was meticulously precise in every detail.
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What is the meaning of the phrase ‘to make ends meet’?
The phrase 'to make ends meet' means to earn just enough money to live on, without falling into debt. It refers to earning sufficient income to cover one's basic expenses.
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(i) What was Mr. Gessler’s reaction to the narrator’s comment about the boots?
Mr. Gessler's reaction was one of profound sadness and accusation. He looked at the narrator intently, then sighed deeply. He pointed out the specific flaw in the mass-produced boots and then bitterly complained about the big firms, their advertising, and how they took away business from honest, quality-focused craftsmen like him, implying they were killing the craft.
(ii) Why did he react the way he did?He reacted this way because the narrator's purchase of boots from a big firm touched upon his deepest pain and struggle. He despised the commercialism and lack of quality of these firms, seeing them as the reason for the decline of true artistry and the suffering of dedicated shoemakers like himself.
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Do you think Mr. Gessler was a successful shoemaker? Why/Why not?
In terms of true craftsmanship and quality, yes, Mr. Gessler was an immensely successful shoemaker; he produced excellent, durable boots that customers loved. However, in terms of business success in the modern world (profit, expanding business), no, he was not. His old-fashioned methods, refusal to advertise, and dedication to slow, perfect work meant he couldn't compete with larger firms, leading to his financial decline and eventual death by starvation. He was a successful artist but a failed businessman in the contemporary sense.
Extra Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions (30-40 words)
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Describe Mr. Gessler’s appearance and initial impression.
Mr. Gessler was a small, old German shoemaker with a thin, yellowed face and a few wisps of hair. He had a serious expression, and his eyes had a deep, quiet intensity, giving the initial impression of a dedicated, almost mystical craftsman.
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Why did the narrator sometimes feel guilty visiting Mr. Gessler’s shop?
The narrator sometimes felt guilty visiting Mr. Gessler’s shop because Mr. Gessler's boots lasted so long that he didn't need new ones very often. This meant he didn't visit frequently, contributing to the shoemaker's dwindling business.
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What did Mr. Gessler do when a customer ordered boots?
When a customer ordered boots, Mr. Gessler would first examine their foot meticulously. Then, he would go upstairs to select the perfect piece of leather, a process that felt almost ritualistic, before taking the order details.
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What sad news did the narrator receive on his last visit to the shop?
On his last visit, the narrator received the sad news that Mr. Gessler had passed away. A young Englishman had taken over the shop and informed the narrator of Mr. Gessler's death due to starvation.
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How did Mr. Gessler die, according to the young Englishman?
According to the young Englishman, Mr. Gessler died of starvation. He would never allow anyone else to touch his boots, worked too slowly and meticulously, and spent all his money on the best leather, leaving nothing for himself to eat or pay rent.
Long Answer Questions (80-100 words)
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How does the story highlight the theme of craftsmanship versus mass production?
The story "Quality" sharply contrasts traditional craftsmanship with modern mass production. Mr. Gessler embodies the former: he is an artist dedicated to creating perfect, durable boots by hand, prioritizing quality over speed or profit. His products last long and fit perfectly. In contrast, "big firms" represent mass production, focusing on advertising and volume. While they are financially successful, their products lack the personal touch, durability, and 'soul' of Mr. Gessler's boots. The story mourns the demise of skilled artisans like Gessler, who cannot compete with the aggressive marketing and lower prices of mass-produced goods, ultimately leading to the decline of true artistry.
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Explain why Mr. Gessler could not succeed in the modern competitive world.
Mr. Gessler could not succeed in the modern competitive world primarily because he refused to compromise on his artisanal values. He believed only in absolute quality, using the best leather and taking immense time and care for each pair of boots. This meant slow production, no advertising, and no quick profits. He was unable to adapt to the aggressive marketing and lower pricing strategies of "big firms" that prioritized quantity over craftsmanship. His profound dedication to his art ironically made him impractical as a businessman, leading to dwindling customers, financial hardship, and ultimately, his death from neglect and starvation. He lacked the commercial acumen necessary for survival in a consumer-driven market.
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Describe the narrator's relationship with Mr. Gessler. What does this relationship tell us about both characters?
The narrator has a deep respect and admiration for Mr. Gessler. He is a loyal customer who appreciates the shoemaker's rare artistry and integrity. Their interactions are brief but profound, often centered around the 'quality' of boots. The narrator feels a certain awe and even guilt when he doesn't need new boots. This relationship reveals the narrator's sensitivity and his appreciation for genuine craftsmanship in a world that increasingly devalues it. For Mr. Gessler, the narrator represents a discerning customer who truly understands and values his work, providing him with a rare connection and validating his artistic efforts amidst his struggles.
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