QUALITY —dJohn Galsworthy —_— 1, ABOUT THE AUTHOR | John Galsworthy (14 August 1867 - 31 January 1933) is i, one of those great artists of the twentieth century who take up various problems of modern life in almost all their works. He was a multi-faceted artist like T. S. Eliot and was a great novelist, a short story writer, a dramatist and a critic of great repute. His notable works include The Forsyte Saga (1906- 1921) and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter. His works are the pieces of criticism of contemporary life. All his plays focus attention on some problem or the other ny afflicting the society of his time. He won the Nobel Prize in Yh" Galsworthy Literature in 1932. te eee 2. ABOUT THE STORY, The story ‘Quality’ centres round a rare character Mr Gessler who practised Gualities of dedication, honesty, hard work and sincerity. He valued his customers high and spared no pains to satisfy them with his work of quality and durable material of the boots he made on their order. Inhabiting a humble dwelling - two little shops let into one - with his elder brother, Mr Gessler lived from hand to mouth for he never ¢ compromised with the quality of leather for the boots he made for the customers, An experienced and skilled shoemaker, he attached a great importance to the quality of shoes, using the best leather that lasted longer and provided comfort to the wearer. The story focuses on the bitter struggle for existence of the Gessler Brothers in the days of competition and advertisement from which they entirely remained away for lack of resources and their old-fashioned ideals. Consequently such workers, however skilled they may be, have to suffer starvation and yield to those more resourceful and enterprising, however unskilled they may be but prosper by compromising with quality and principles. 45Beginning 5 old-fashioned —_| unable to face stiff eat jollowed by shoe-makers using | competition, shop the death of the best quality leather | in a smaller shape younger = eath of the elder \tance ‘The story begins with the narrator giving his Se aaa it Ce) Brothers since his childhood when he visited ee A aie S fa shoes. The reader is told about the best quality lea! Per nee en boots to the entire satisfaction of the oe z Make oy compromise with the quality of the shoes they - Consequently they failed to stand the stiff competition aS they would employ y, o eit, ‘ol the modern methods of advertisement nor compromise with the quality. The shop ‘a now much smaller. Death of the elder brother is followed by the death of the younger Gessler, hee broken on account of starvation and poverty. 4 The form is tragic. The story explores the harsh realities of life faced by the my workers in the backdrop of the industrial fenton ce) — Work, done sincerely and pursued consistently, has its own reward and provic amipI€ satisfaction. It may not fetch one material gains or prosperity, but is a rich fig for the mind and soul. Here in this story Mr Gessler along with his brother pursuesi, profession of boot making taking utmost care in providing full value to the custom for the boots he makes for them on order. He is a skilled maker of boots using theb. kind and quality of leather according to the specifications of his customers. He precisely where the boot pinches the wearer. Though he starves himself to death. never makes any compromise with the quality of the material for the shoes af principle of honesty and integrity. Such a class of workers is fast disappearing #4 the world. 1 Another theme of the story is the struggle for survival in the world of changing" ues. Those who practise modern ways of publicity and indulge in profiteering & those who lack resources and practise honesty. Mr Gessler in the story does 1" care to put up a sign board for his shop. He simply believes in quality of his wo"! satisfaction of his limited customers. His elder brother dies in poverty, 50 starve to death. This is all on account of his simple 4 en? soon ways. But his shop is tak after by an enterprising businessman of > i BE k ‘ces. [45 )) WORKBOOK ON ECHOES ~A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORTSl 5. SUMMARY i Narrator’s acquaintance with Gessler Brothers : The narrator had quite often met the Gessler Brothers since his childhood because his father used to send him to get his shoes made by Gesslers who had a roadside shop in the West End, London. It was a shop run by two brothers, the younger of whom is the main character of this story. It was two shops combined into one, with a board ‘Gessler Brothers’ outside the window and a few pairs of exotic leather shoes at the window. Quality shoemaker : Gessler was very different from other shoemakers. He never made a shoe with inferior leather nor did he keep a shoe that was not made by him or his brother. Besides, the two brothers made shoes only on order. So their quality of shoes was out of common. Gessler never compromised with quality. Each pair fitted perfectly. Slim and elegant, their shape was arresting and captivating. Gessler considered his work an art which he cultivated with utmost sincerity. So shopping at Gessler Brothers was different. One could not expect to be served at Gessler’s shop. It was like a place of worship - a place where the shopkeeper worshipped the shoes he made. If once Gessler received an order for shoes, he would observe the model for long and take precise measurement by drawing and redrawing. Narrator's complaint about his shoes : Once the narrator made a complaint about a shoe that Gessler had made for him sometime ago. It was more than what Gessler could take. He argued that the narrator must have been careless with the shoes or got them wet in the water. He also suggested bringing those shoes back to him. He was even ready to pay the money back. Gessler's failing fortune : The narrator remained abroad for about a year and paid a visit to Gessler Brothers on his return. He wished to order a new pair of shoes. Mr Gessler told him that his elder brother was dead, so he lived alone there. Now his shop was much smaller and his business was quite low. As the narrator visited him in a week's time, he was surprised to learn that Mr Gessler's name was gone. His shop had been taken over by an Englishman. Narrator's last visit : On seeing an Englishman occupying the shop'once owned by Gesslers, the narrator was greeted by the Englishman who offered to serve him as he served the very good people. From him the narrator learnt that Mr Gessler died of starvation as he was too orthodox and traditional to face the stiff competition of his times. WORKBOOK ON ECHOE: COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT STORIES ( 47s q: @+aseames The story ‘Quality’ is set in the backdrop of twentieth century London where the two shoemakers struggle hard for their lWetihg and survival. The times have changed and people are easily attracted by temp, and vast advertisements publicising goods. Whereas traders and manufacty,,* thrive with the help of such means at their disposal, the poor persons Practisi, their art have to suffer poverty and starvation. Still some people are stubborn, attached to their profession and keep it alive with their sacrifice. The Gessler Broth, face stiff competition from big shoemakers and from imported shoes. The story \, poignant picture of the lives of traditional workers working against heavy odds in y, background of industrial revolution. Gessler Brothers fight a losing war against 1, industrial revolution of the 20th century. the industrial revolution jn Ea SLOSSARY inhabiting : living tenement : a large building divided into apartmen; especially in a poor area distinction : some unique feature inconceivable : unthinkable sooty : covered with black powder incarnating : giving a definite human form promoted : introduced sardonic : mocking “Id is an Ardt” : Itis an art brudder : brother soothingly : comfortingly blinking : shutting and opening quickly inhaling : breathing in incense : smell, odour fordnighd : fortnight divesting : taking away surged : filled with strong feelings Pit : birth & 3) WORKBOOK ON ECHOES — A COLLECTION OF 1SC SHORT STOR!penetrating : scanning, studying deeply endeavouring : making effort nemesis : punishment that one deserves and cannot be avoided conscientiously : with conscience reproachful : expressing blame or criticism wan : pale yellow pinched : wretched, haggard looking tremulous : trembling genuinely : in reality slack : a period of relative inactivity ingratiating : trying too hard to please starved himself : killed himself by remaining unfed flowery : elaborate or ornate let his fire go out : consumed himself by inches —_—_—__— C \CTERS:, 1. GESSLER Gessler is a traditional shoemaker, far from the world of advertisement and publicity. He is a little thin old man, as if himself made from leather. He has yellow crinkly face and crinkly reddish hair and beard. Folds of wrinkles slanting down his cheeks fall to the corners of his mouth. His voice is harsh and guttural. He is stiff and slow of purpose. His eyes are gray-blue and have in them the simple gravity of some ideal. His elder brother closely resembles him, though watery, paler in every way, with a great industry. The narrator is quite confused to tell one from the other. Mr Gessler is a very passionate and hard-working man. Boot-making has been his passion. He eats, drinks and sleeps it. He can go to any length to make boots for people. He never works for money, but for the love of making boots. Shoemaking is a sacred vocation and he is totally dedicated to it. He approaches it not as a mere craft but as a sublime art. When the narrator asks him, “Isn't it awfully hard to do, Mr Gessler 7", at once comes Gessler’s reply, “Id is an Ardt.” (It is an Art), He shuts himself in his shop for hours on end and does not come out. He keeps on making boots for the satisfaction of his customers and the joy of his own. Gessler is a perfectionist. He always makes sure that he makes the best boots for every client. That is why, he takes a pretty long time in making boots according to the WORKBOOK ON ECHOES ~ A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT STORIES if 49» > G a specifications of his customers. He feels hurt if anybody complains about the sh, not fitting or hurting him. He never allows any leather into his shop that is not m,"° by himself. Also, his boots are the best quality and finish and fit everyone who we" them perfectly. His boots are so fine that they last for a long time. One can easily m,,° out that these boots are clearly made by one who has seen the ‘Soul of Boot’ bef, him. When-the narrator complains that the pair of town-walking boots made by jy. creaked.'Gessler asks the narrator to send them back with the remark, “Zome boo, are bad from birdt, if I can do noding wid dem, I dake dem off your bill". Not only dog, this show dedication, but also integrity because he 1s honest about his work and wan), to satisfy his customer to the utmost even at his personal financial loss. Gessler faces the hardships of the competitive world that believes in makin, maximum profit by employing tactics of wide publicity, inferior quality material, et, As managing two shops proves too expensive, the Gesslers have to do away with on part of the shop. The elder of the Gesslers cannot get over the pain of losing a part the shop and this eventually contributes to his sad demise. The artist in him feels th). pangs of having been driven out of its sanctum sanctorum, and deprived of the sap ¢j life, chokes to death. Despite all the qualities of head and heart, Gessler is quite stubborn and is of old fashioned ideals. He never allows any leather into his shop that is not made by himsel, He believes that boots have to always be handmade and he never advertises. He show: disapproval of big firms that indulge in a lot of publicity, having little concern for th: pocket of the customers. These aspects make him lose out in the high competition amongst boot-making firms which in turn make him poor and eventually die starvation. His death marks the death of true art as well. The Artist and his Art choke in a highly materialistic and commercialised world where success is determined not by excellence but by advertisement. 2, THE NARRATOR ‘The narrator shows his association with the Gessler Brothers since his childhoo! when he was sent to them by his father who got his boots made from them. As he grows up, he ts introduced to them at the age of fourteen when he himself gets his shoe: from them. It is from him that we learn that the Gesslers make high quality shoes bu! only on order, The narrator finds the Gesslers different from the other shoemakers Visiting Gesslers, to him, looks like entering a church as boot-making is pursued ! them religiously, with honesty and integrity.) ) 3 @ The narrator begins to suspect whether the, shoes made by him are actually his So he visits him to verify the authenticity of the boots made by the Gessler Brothe thinks that the shoes made by them have the quality of being mysterious WORKBOOK ON ECHOES ~A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT STORwonderful, But he finds his doubts unfounded on reallzing the concern wkhown by Gessler who declares that he makes boots himself and even does not use leather made py others. BLO ! (the narrator, being an artist himself, is empathetic, considerate and affectionate towards Gessler. He is full of praise for the sincere hard work put in by’ Gesslers in making boots using the best leather and keeping in mind the requiremehts and comforts of their customers. He feels concerned on the plight of the Gesslers who suffer slow starvation being unable to keep pace with the changing times of publicity, He wishes the Gesslers were more advanced and survived the harsh times of competition to keep their art alive. ) gs 2a) He is fond of the best quality of shoes. Once he orders Russia leather to, be used for his boots. He is so generous that he orders more pairs of shoes made. to help the Gessler brothers financially. He is sad to learn that the Gesslers died soon after complying with his order. He learns only after he has despatched the bill. He laments that their shop has been occupied by a new person catering to the Royal Family and big persons. Indeed, the narrator is a young man full of compassion and appreciative of the disappearing art of handicraft. oo a2). SsGRMGALAPPRECIATION = : The story ‘Quality’ has an appropriate and revealing title showing the high quuiity of work done by the two Gessler Brothers who themselves have the sterling qualities of sincerity, honesty, industry and endurance. In the harsh and mad money-minded world these two brothers retain their quality of excellence without compromising with quality in any way. They are really men of high emulating qualities of head and heart- a2 (bv Theme ;(In his narrative essay “Quality”, John Galsworthy poses the issue of the hardships that true artists have to face in a shallow, money-mad world that attaches little importance to the ideals of quality and excellence. Artists, not always very worldlywise, traditionally are fated to face stiff opposition from mediocre minds. However, artistic temperament is such that it gives in too easily to the pressures of life and destroys itself. For the Gesslers shoemaking is a sublime art. Their excellence in their profession makes the narrator wonder if they have seen the Soul of the Boot) Their dwindling business brings them to the brink of starvation. The elder Gesslér 1S choked to death when he is driven out of the sanctum sanctorum of a portion of his shop, The younger brother labours on, but his commitment to excellence means that he dies of slow starvation. His death marks the death of true art as well. However, everything cannot last for ever, art lives through true devotees of art like our narrator, whose eyes are clouded by tears at the death of the Gesslers. WORKBOOK ON ECHOES - A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT STORIES ( 511 Style : The narrative of the story Is Unged with the flavour of German, Geasler brothers are from Germany, thelr English Is fully contaminated with on n The tone and accent of the Gesslers ts half-English and half-German. Mark the when the narrator complains of his shoes creaking : Or, “Id shouldn’d ‘ave greaked.” “It did, P'm afraid.” “You god dem wed before dey found demselves 7” JM this lends realistic touch to the story. characterization : Characters of Gessler Brothers with their pursuits of tradiy, art come alive. They are portrayed as stubborn artists trying to keep the dying a handmade things alive in the world of advertisements and publicity. Such persons ; a prey to the harsh times but leave behind them footprints for others to follow. Pathetic story : The story contains several passages which are full of pathos. 7, following passage shows the deep pathos over the sad plight of the life led by Gessi. “Slow starvation, the doctor called it! You see he went to work in such a way! Wou. keep the shop on; wouldn't have a soul touch his boots except himself... not a man London made a better boot! But look at the competition! He never advertised! Would ‘a, the best leather, too, and do it all ‘imself. Well, there it is. What could you expect wi: his ideas ?">) (@ Describe briefly the setting of the story ‘Quality’. {b) One of the major themes of the story ‘Quality’ is ‘Commitment * excellence’. Discuss with reference to this story. (Q The Gessler Brothers are skilled shoemakers. What do you think, then! the cause of their declining business and slow starvation ? Ans. (a) . WORKBOOK ON ECHOES - A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT STO"(=) MORKBOOK ON ECHOES - A COLLECTION OF 1SC SHORT 8" |wSatellly | {@) Describe the emotional bond reflected between Gessler Brothers and the _ fb) Is it possible to make one's hobby one's profession ? Presuming that it is | __ possible, does it always result in happiness ? fc) In « highly commercialised world where success is determined not by oul, but by advertisement. Discuss with reference to the story KBOOK ON ECHOES ~ A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT STORIES—_—_—_1 140, LONG ANSWER QUESTION (SOLVED) Tinccerntenenimnenieaeaionsnssaeweall Q. Gessler Brothers are skilled workers; still they suffer slow Btarvas Ans. to, accounts for their failure to survive 7 Illustrate from the story i." it Gessler Brothers are artists In the true sense of the word, They tak, pride in their profession of boot-making and give due respect to their t are skilled workers who earn their livelihood with the sweat of their work day and night and take all pains to come up to the entire expectaty, their customers. ' © fe Fade,» brow, They own a small shop - two shops combined into one - with a board Ge Brothers’ outside the window and a few pairs of exotic leather Shoes ay window. They are completely different from the other shoemaker in that never make a shoe with inferior leather nor do they keep a shoe that {g Not; by them. Besides, they make shoes purely on order. Quality of the leathe, for the shoes {s never compromised. Each pair they make fits Perfectly 4 satisfaction of the customer. The shoes thus made are slim and elegant ang shape makes water come into one's mouth. Besides shopping at Gesslers is altogether a different experience. One eg expect to be served at Gessler’s shop ~ it {s more like a place of worsh place where the shopkeeper worships the shoes he makes. They are so 1 experienced in ther skill that they can easily spot the point where the shoer hurt. Not only do they show concern for their customers, they can go out way to take out the bill {f there is any incurable or irreparable problem i shoes made by them. When the narrator complains that the shoe creaks, Ge says, “Zend dem back ! I will look at dem.” He adds, “Zome boods are bad birdt. If can do noding wid dem, I dake dem off your bill.” Such is the down simplicity, integrity and honesty that marks the quality of ther character. But though they pursue their trade devotedly and painstakingly, they re Starved or underfed for they do not resort to unfair means, They also fail to et means of publicity and advertisement for lack of resources or their old-fash ideals. They sit day and night and work hard to deliver the shoes in tim the fast changing times of mass production in the industrial advancement the spoilsport to their labour. They fail to face the stiff competition and b the world of tough competition where artistic pursuits are never given thei share of gain and value. Gessler, the younger of the two brothers, explain harsh reality in the following words : “Dey get id all”, he said, “dey get id by advertisement, nod by work. Dey d away from us, who lofe our boods. Id gomes to this-bresently [ haf no work. year id gets less-you will see.” [ey WORKBOOK ON ECHOES - A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT ST!Q1. Tis evident hore how his art of handmade boots te biown away by the strong wire of advertisements, They remain stubborn and resohite to practise thet craft by paying for I with thetr breath and blood. The elder Gessler dies after bis sere tise sanctorum ts snatched from him, The younger Geasler who has committed himself to this art has to fade away from this world of commercial materialens that takes a toll of sincere traders of art pursuing it as their profession. Though a victim to the harshness of mass production, Gessier will ever be remembered as one entirely devoted to Preserving the art of hand-made shoes. a, Is it always possible to make one's hobby ones's profession 7 Assuming that It is 60, does it always result in happiness ? Illustrate from the story ‘Quality’. What fate do the Gessler Brothers meet by pursuing thelr trade of shoemaking ? Value Points pleasure and satisfaction in pursuing hobby * excellence and quality follow Gessler Brothers follow their profession relentlessly * use best quality leather * satisfaction of customers * face starvation and ultimately meet death Q. 2. How did the Gessler Brothers carry on with their failing trade ? Why did they face starvation despite the fine quality of shoes made by them ? Value Points gave importance to quality product diligent and conscientious workers made shoes with their own hands their handmade shoes lasted longer customers did not have to order shoes so often faced starvation for their old-fashioned ideals did not resort to advertisement suffered starvation as business dwindled WORKBOOK ON ECHOES ~ A COLLECTION OF ISC SHORT STORIES iesQ. 3. Discuss the Justifion n of the title of the wory ‘Guntiy Quallty of good produot fall to reap toh dividende 7” Moy, Value Pointe * fille Just and appropriate * quality bow of character and of the product * Gesslers provide the best quality shoes + give entire saliafitction to customers * practise honesty, Integrity and fairness * face stiff competition from modern syle of professtonaljey, * lack resources, die tn starvation Q. 4. The story ‘Quality’ tells about the lives of traditional Worke,, fought a losing battle against the Industrial revolution in the sy" Explain and illustrate from the fate of the Gessier Brothers, Value Points * Gesslers - traditional workers with old-fashioned ideals * no compromise with quality and high standard product * handmade shoes to the entire satisfaction of customers * fail (o use mass production techniques * never use inferior raw material * don’t employ machinery * never use advertisement or publicity * suffer starvation and dle A> ¥ de a tn fh om iw mn st htar Q. 5. How did Mr Gessler handle his customers 7 What was Mr Geseler’,,,. ey when the author complained that one of his shoes creaked 7 Hin Gessler react when he found the narrator wearing a shoe not ney from him ? Value Points * his shop more like a place of worship * took measurement properly * gave full satisfaction to the customers * could not believe shoe made by him could creak * scolded him for wetting it and spoiling it * was not pleased on seeing the narrator wearing shoe made by soe) * became indifferent * complained against false advertisements