About the Author
John Galsworthy was a famous English writer born in 1867. He wrote many books and plays about people and their problems in society. His most famous work is a series of books called The Forsyte Saga, which tells stories about a rich family over many years. Galsworthy cared a lot about fairness and helping poor people. In 1932, he won a big award called the Nobel Prize for Literature. He wrote "Quality" to show how hard work and good skills can sometimes lose to big businesses. Galsworthy passed away in 1933, but his stories still teach us important lessons.
What’s the Story About?
The story "Quality" is told by a boy (the narrator) who loves a special pair of boots made by two brothers named Mr. Gessler. These brothers own a small shoe shop in London and make boots by hand with great care. They don't advertise their shop like big stores do. Instead, they focus on making the best boots possible—boots that fit perfectly and last a long time.
One day, the boy goes to their shop and asks for new boots. The elder Mr. Gessler takes a long time to measure his feet and promises the boots will be ready soon. When the boy gets them, they are amazing: soft, strong, and just right. The boy wears them for years without any problems.
But times change. Big shoe shops start selling cheap boots made by machines in large numbers. They put up big signs saying "Try our boots—they're the best!" People start buying from these shops because they are faster and cheaper. The Gessler brothers' shop gets very quiet. No one comes to buy anymore.
The boy feels sad and tries to help by ordering more boots. He asks the elder brother why their business is slow. The brother explains that quality matters more than anything, but people don't see it. They get tricked by ads and forget about real good work.
Sadly, the elder brother gets sick from working too hard and dies. The younger brother can't run the shop alone. He sells everything and closes the door forever. The boy looks at the empty shop and remembers the brothers' pride in their work. The story ends with a sad but strong message about holding on to what is truly good.
This tale shows how small, honest workers can struggle against big changes, but their love for quality stays special.
Who’s Who in the Story
- The Narrator (The Boy): The main storyteller. He is a young boy who loves the Gessler brothers' boots. He visits their shop many times and feels sad when their business fails. He represents someone who values good things.
- Mr. Gessler (The Elder Brother): One of the two shoemaker brothers. He is quiet, serious, and very skilled. He takes great pride in making perfect boots. He gets angry at big shops but stays true to his work until he falls ill and dies.
- Mr. Gessler (The Younger Brother): The other brother who helps run the shop. He is also a fine craftsman but speaks less. After the elder brother's death, he closes the shop and disappears.
- Mrs. Gessler: The brothers' mother or aunt (mentioned briefly). She is kind and offers tea to customers, but she doesn't play a big role in the story.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Main Ideas)
- Quality vs. Quantity: The story talks about how handmade things with love are better than machine-made cheap items. The brothers make fewer boots, but each one is perfect. Big shops make many boots quickly, but they are not as good.
- Pride in Work: The Gessler brothers are happy with their skills and don't cheat. They show that doing your best is important, even if no one notices.
- Change in the World: It shows how new ways (like big factories and ads) can hurt small family businesses. Old traditions fade away.
Moral (The Lesson)
The main lesson is: True quality is more valuable than money or speed, but sometimes people choose easy and cheap things over the best. We should respect hard work and good craftsmen, and not let ads fool us. Always pick quality—it lasts longer and feels better!
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are some key words and phrases from the story. I explain them in simple words, like chatting with a friend:
- Surreptitious (suh-rep-TISH-us): Done secretly, without anyone knowing. Example: The boy looked at the boots surreptitious-ly because he didn't want to seem too excited.
- Paragon (PA-ruh-gon): Someone or something perfect, like the best example. Example: The Gessler boots were a paragon of fine shoes—no one could make better ones.
- Subdued (sub-DOOD): Quiet or not very lively, like feeling a bit low. Example: The shop looked subdued with no customers coming in.
- Incongruous (in-KONG-roo-us): Something that doesn't fit or looks odd in a place. Example: The big ads for cheap boots seemed incongruous next to the brothers' quiet shop.
- Artisan (AR-ti-zan): A skilled worker who makes things by hand, like a carpenter or baker. Example: The Gessler brothers were artisans who loved their trade.
- "Quality is its own excuse for being": This phrase means good work doesn't need reasons or ads—it speaks for itself because it's so special.
- "The good stuff lasts": Not a direct quote, but it means things made with care don't break easily, like the boots that wore for years.
Use these words in your own sentences to remember them better! This guide will help you enjoy the chapter and do well in class. Happy reading!