VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY

UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature



Introduction to Literature

Instructor: Trần Nhật Nam

Group 5: 1. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Trúc 2057010299

2. Lô Đại Dương 2057010143
3. Lê Hoàng Quốc Việt 2057010310
4. Trần Thị Tường Vy 2057010316
5. Nguyễn Thị Minh Trang 2057010288
6. Nguyễn Phương Thúy Ngọc 2057010208
7. Nguyễn Thị Diễm Trinh 2057010297
8. Lê Thị Thùy Trang 2057010289
9. Lê Lâm Vy 2057010314

Table Of Contents
I. Introduction...........................................................................................................1
1. Author’s biography...........................................................................................1
2. Introduction to “Quality”.................................................................................1
3. Why is “Quality” used as the title?...................................................................1
II. Plot.........................................................................................................................2
1. Exposition...........................................................................................................2
2. Rising action.......................................................................................................2
3. Climax................................................................................................................. 2
4. Falling action......................................................................................................3
5. Resolution...........................................................................................................3
6. Plot techniques......................................................................................................5
a. Flashback:........................................................................................................... 5
b. Foreshadowing:..................................................................................................5
c. Suspense:............................................................................................................. 6
III. Setting.................................................................................................................6
1. Time setting........................................................................................................6
2. Physical setting...................................................................................................7
IV. Characters..........................................................................................................9
1. [Link]..........................................................................................................9
2. The narrator.....................................................................................................11
V. Tone................................................................................................................... 12
VI. Atmosphere......................................................................................................14
VII. Themes.............................................................................................................. 15
VIII. Figurative language.........................................................................................16
1. Irony.................................................................................................................16
2. Symbolism........................................................................................................16
3. Simile................................................................................................................17
4. Metaphor..........................................................................................................17
IX. Point of view.....................................................................................................17
 QUALITY – JOHN GALSWORTHY

I. Introduction
1. Author’s biography

John Galsworthy is an English novelist and playwright. He is widely regarded

as one of the greatest writers of the early 20th century. He is chiefly remembered for
his portrayal of the British upper middle class and for his social satire.

      John Galsworthy was born in Kingston Hill, Surrey, England, on 14 August
1867. He was the eldest son of solicitor John Galsworthy and Blanche Bailey. He
studied at Harrow School (1881–1886), and New College, Oxford. He lived for the
final seven years of his life at Bury in West Sussex. He died from a brain tumor on the
31st at his London home, Grove Lodge, Hampstead.

      During his career, he has written a considerable number of works in American-
English literature: 20 novels, 27 plays, 173 short stories, and other works. He regarded
the novel as a lawful instrument of social propaganda. He believed that it was the duty
of an artist to state a problem, to throw light upon it, but not to provide a solution.
Through his writing, he campaigned for a variety of causes including prison reform,
women’s rights, animal welfare, and the opposition to censorship.

2. Introduction to “Quality”

“Quality” first appeared in “The Inn of Tranquility: Studies and Essays”

(Heinemann, 1912). It is a narrative essay, a realistic portrait of social life in the
Industrial Revolution.

Galsworthy depicts a German craftsman’s efforts to survive in an era where

success is determined “by advertisement, not by work”. He depicts shoemakers
attempting to stay true to their crafts in the face of a world driven by money and
immediate gratification_ not by the quality and certainly not by true art or
craftsmanship.

3. Why is “Quality” used as the title?

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 The title of the story “Quality” implies in the context of the story that in today’s
world there is a decline of quality in work due to industrialization. It took away the
bread and butter of artists, craftsmen and those who loved doing their work.

Furthermore, the title of the story is intended to emphasize the importance of

values and principles in life. Gessler sticks to one principle through the thick and thin
of life without compromising on his standards which he set for himself.

II. Plot

1. Exposition: (First and second paragraph): The overview of the main

characters.
In the first two paragraphs, the author gives us an overview of the characters.
Through them, we can know about their nationality (German), their job, how do they
look and their talents. It provides the reader with the knowledge of the Gessler
Brothers, their shops, and their attitude toward making boots. This introduction
provide an overview of the background, and create curiosity and encourages them ->
readers to continue the story.
2. Rising action: the Gessler Brothers have to compete with the big firm
It begins when Mr Gessler realizes the large's firm boot of the narrator. Mr
Gessler's emotions express his implicy contempt with that boot. Then he has to admit
the tough conditions and hardships of his trade, which shows the bitterness of the poor
man. "They get it all," he said. His sorrow is induced by the bitter reality in which he
and his brother find it hard to survive. But underneath it all, it is the disillusion about
his faith, which he believes in the recognition of true talent. Mr Gessler always sees
his job as the art, which he revere, but in fact, people don't want his works. "They get
it by advertisement, not by work. They take it away from us, who love our boots. It
goes to this--presently I have no work. Every year it gets less--you will see." He
bitterly admits. This affects the character, which directly attacks Mr Gessler's faith and
lead to the climax. 
3. Climax: Mr Gesslers loses one of their shops
After 2 years, the Narrator come back to Gessler's shops, and then he feels
surprised about the disappearance of one of them. The collapse of Gessler's trade is the
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thing that can be foreseen; However, it still induces a big impact on the reader. This
consequence shows us the harsh reality in which people do not care about the true
quality. This section also brings compassion to the reader, they might feel pity for Mr
Gessler's situation
4. Falling action: The death of [Link]’s elder brother and the decrepit
[Link] with his unusual behavior.
The falling action begins after the narrator had known about the death of Mr.
Gessler’s elder brother. During this part of the story, Mr. Gessler has been a feeble old
man that even the narrator feels painful when looking at him. However, his passion
and mastery in shoe making remain unchanged, as they are still on the summit. The
narrator orders four pairs of boots, and to his surprise, all of them are of the finest
quality, better than all of the previous pairs. What makes him even more surprised is
the bill quickly sent by Mr. Gessler, which is unusual. The narrator hastily writes the
check and posts it on his own, and is looking forward to meeting Mr. Gessler again.
However, little does he know that the incoming meeting is going to be a huge shock. 

5. Resolution

a. General information

The Resolution begins from “ I went in, very much disturbed ” till the end of
the story. During this part of the plot, the narrator comes to the shop that used to be
owned by Mr. Gessler just to find out the old name of the shop has gone, yet its initial
parts remain. Then he meets a young Englishman who is in charge of it, which comes
as the first shock to him. As the story progresses further, the cause of Mr. Gessler's
death - starvation - is informed to the narrator. Such information deals a massive blow
to his unprepared mind since he is not ready to know his long-acquainted shoemaker
has died from starvation. The conversation between the two people goes on, and the
reasons leading to Mr. Gessler’s death are further elaborated. Nevertheless, the
resolution is not coated in a grim and tragic atmosphere, since at least both the narrator
and the young Englishman greatly appreciate Mr. Gessler’s dedication and
craftsmanship in shoe making.

b. Deep analysis
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 When the narrator arrives at the shoe shop again a week later, for a
contemporary moment, nothing remains in his mind except a sense of utter disturbance
because the shop owner he sees is not the familiar Mr. Gessler, but a strange young
Englishman. A huge question starts to raise in his mind, so huge that he can not
conceal it but spill it out “Mr. Gessler in?”. However, instead of receiving a mind-
easing answer, all he has was “a strange, ingratiating look”. Indeed, the young
Englishman did reply, but he only introduced his new shop and slightly flattered it.

The enormous blow only came when he revealed the death of Mr. Gessler. The
narrator’s reaction can be described by only one phrase “heavily shocked” because he
just met Mr. Gessler a week earlier to receive his order, how could the death of this
shoemaker approach so rapidly? At this point, the actual cause starts to be revealed.
Mr. Gessler, who could be considered a massively-talented shoemaker, has died
because of starvation. Obviously, he didn’t have even a single penny to buy food, all
his money was allocated to the rent and the best leather just to make the best boots for
his customers. Furthermore, he was also a workaholic. He was willing to spend days
after days making and refining his boots to ensure they have the finest quality. To him,
the crucial activity that sustains a human life: eating, seems unnecessary.

From these characteristics of the shoemaker, readers can deduce certain marked
differences between him and contemporary shoe making firms. With their profiteering
and unscrupulous nature, these firms’ focal points are to splurge money to advertise
their shoes to reach as many customers as possible and manufacture shoes at an
expositional rate, even though many of them are of the worst quality. Conversely,
dedicated craftsmen such as Mr. Gessler concentrate on making shoes of the highest
quality, but in few quantities, and have no money for advertisements. Clearly, readers
can understand why Mr. Gessler, and perhaps similar craftsmen, despise these firms.
These firms take away their customers, their livelihoods, and trample on the traditional
values of craftsmanship, which are dedication, meticulousness, and complication.
They only care about profits rather than quality or customer satisfaction.

Despite the hard work of Mr. Gessler, few customers were willing to wait for
their shoes since they took too long to be completed. Consequently, these customers

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all left, leaving behind the poor, crippled Mr. Gessler with his masterpieces, and of
course, no money. But at least, the narrator and the young Englishman acknowledge
and appreciate Mr. Gessler’s devotion to his work, which can be shown through parts
of the conversation: “And there he'd sit, goin' on and on—I will say that for him not a
man in London made a better boot!”, “but I know myself he was sittin' over his boots
day and night, to the very last”, “ He regular let his fire go out. He was a character. But
he made good boots.". And with these sentences, readers can understand why Mr.
Gessler’s boots lasted for years with no sign of degradation.

Despite all the hardships seizing him, Mr. Gessler would still be dedicated to
his work till the last minute. Such a person is the pinnacle epitome of perfection in art,
yet, he, and maybe his colleagues, are mercilessly trampled on by industrialization. As
the resolution comes to an end, the narrator left the shop, a tragic, somewhat sorrowful
feeling engulfs him and the story. This ending, perhaps, does not comfort readers
much, for they want a better one, a scenario where the dedication and talent of Mr.
Gessler are well recognized by contemporary society.

6. Plot techniques
a. Flashback:
The whole story is a flashback of the narrator about the Gessler Brother.
Though the story has a direct timeline, the plot is the narrator’s pieces of memories
about Gessler Brother. For example,“I cannot forget that day …;” “Once (once only) I
went absent-mindedly into his shop…”. In my opinion, the writer utilized the flashback
because he wants to express that The Gessler Brothers belong to the archaic age, they
are out of date in the advertisement time.
At the beginning of the story, from the narrator flashback, the reader knows
about the backstory of The Gessler Brother. We also know more about the relationship
between the narrator and The Gessler Brother. Through the narrator flashbacks, the
plot is set up. The reader knows about the harsh condition of the Gessler Brothers, and
knows about the consequences of them.

b. Foreshadowing:
By each meeting of the narrator and The Gessler, we know more about them.
We know that they only make ordered things and do not have any staff. They hold
5
water that the core point of success is the quality, so they maintain their work without
any advertisement. This unique thought makes us feel like there would be some special
results for them, good or bad.
The Gessler’s attitude with the big firm’s shoes show us that the unique
business engenders poor profit for them. The implicy bitter from his reaction, is the
evidence of the harsh condition they have to deal with. “They get it all” This is the
harbinger about their future. 
Consequently, The Gessler Brother lost one of their shops. However, it was not
the end of the nightmare because they still kept their work style. At this meeting, the
narrator realizes the sorrow from Mr Gessler, “It was too expensive”.  Nothing
changes, so the bad result still comes.
The foreshadowing is not strong in the story, however, the reader still less or
more foresees the continuous events.

c. Suspense:
The writer put the Gessler brothers in a circumstance where they have to make a
choice whether they keep their work style or change their methods to maintain the
trade. Not only one but two times, the Gessler Brother could make change and save
their shops: They could change when they first realize that customers are attracted by
the advertisement; They could change when they lost one of their shops (the result of
not changing). The writer puts the character in the circumstance that they have to make
choices, and their choices develop the plot.

III. Setting
1. Time setting

The story begins at the start of the 20th century when British history is set into a
new era. Historical background has a direct influence on the plot of the story. The first
sentence of the work reveals to us the boom time of the Gessler Brothers' shop. "I
knew him... in the West End."

Opening the new century was the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, which marked
the transition from the Victorian to the Edwardian era - a time of peace and prosperity.
Before major transformations in Western fashion, people's needs and tastes were still
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influenced by the previous era. People did not care much about fashion at that time,
whether it was ornate or not. Of course, aesthetic tastes differ from time to time. They
would say that comfort is better than the price. 

The second historical event in the early 20th century was the Second Industrial
Revolution - a period of rapid industrial development. There was widespread use of
machinery in manufacturing in this period. The growth of more intricate and efficient
machines along with mass production techniques (after 1910) greatly expanded output
and lowered production costs. Factories spawned everywhere as a harbinger of
machines gradually replaced humans. The craft was becoming obsolete. Even though
everything was manufactured in machines, the quality is no longer a priority but the
appearance. People were attracted by eye-catching advertisements. They cared more
about the products' model than the material or anything else. Everyone purchased it
because of its beauty or the trends, not for being durable. With time, new factories
emerged that manufactured cheaper boots though they were ill-omened. [Link]
said "Dey get id all, dey get id by adverdisement, nod by work. Dey dake it away from
us, who lofe our boods. Id gomes to this--bresently I haf no work. Every year id gets
less--you will see." An era ended, but the old still persisted. That the new (Dose big
virms) had not been stable yet and the old (Gessler Brothers) still existed engaged the
conflict between the old and the change. It is natural that the end of the craft age or the
death of Gessler's Brothers and the beginning of a new era. That solution is obviously
reasonable and logical in that historical background. 
The chronological setting gives the story a dreary and impotent color. However, the
author softened that atmosphere with a sympathetic voice. The time setting helps
readers have a more general view of the story and feel it deeply. 
2. Physical setting

According to the story, Gessler Brothers live in London. They formerly occupied a
tenement in a small by-street, but no more. Now that area is the most fashioned in the
West End. Specifically, his tenement is quiet with no sign that he makes boots for the
Royal Family, which just has his German name of Glesser Brothers, and there are a
few pairs of boots in the window.

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 Nowadays, West End is a large area that is located in Western London and
Northern Thames River. Besides, West End is known as the central commerce and
entertainment district of London, with many stores, buildings, companies, and so on.
In the early 19th century, West End was a term to describe fashionable, luxurious areas
in Western Charing Cross. It completely contrasted with Eastern area. Because of the
fresh air, many upper classes in London chose to live in the West End in the 17th
century. Besides that, West End is near the powerful royal palace in Westminster.
West End also developed quickly from the 17th to the 19th century. There were many
palaces, fashion shops, etc.

West End was famous for fashion, and his job was to make boots that related to the
field of fashion too. So, this is why the author chose West End but not others. 

Besides, because of the development of fashion in the West End, so many big firms
just focus on marketing rather than quality, and this helps highlight Mr. Gessler’s
devotion as a star shining in the dark sky-a world full of competitive business. This is
proved through the detail "There was no sign upon its face that he made for any of the
Royal Family-merely his own German name of Gessler Brothers". At that time, people
used the name "Royal Family" to show credit and luxury for their firms, but Mr.
Gessler didn’t. His actions help us see his dignity. He cares more about the quality of
shoes than the reputation.

In addition, because the West End is known as a luxurious and modern city, which
is the habitat of the wealthy, the flashiness of this city highlights his traditional
lifestyle as a worker who likes homeliness and respects the value of hand-crafted
boots. Moreover, the luxury of West End with its big businesses makes the reader
clearly visualize the small business of Gessler brothers. Perhaps he cannot compete
with large corporations in this city and he does not have many customers, so originally
he was a very meticulous person. When there were not many customers left, he
became more and more careful in the process of making shoes, which gradually
exhausted him. Finally, in the middle of West End, Mr. Gessler passes away because
of starvation.

8
 In conclusion, the physical setting plays an important role in the story because it
contributes to the development of the story and the clear explanation of the context for
readers. 

IV. Characters

1. [Link]

a. Living situation:

The main protagonist in Quality is Mr Gessler. He is a German shoemaker settled

in London. He is the younger of Gessler Brothers. He lives with his elder brother in
two small shops combined into one which is located in a small by-street in the West
End. He lived and sold his shoes in a tenement which was placed in distintive location
without attractive display or sign of advantisement to attract customer.

b. Appearance:

Mr Geller was depicted as a little man with the desprition “as if made leather”  and
his face exudes the feathures like the leather made from “a sardonic substance, and
stiff and slow of purpose” and he has a lot of “yellow wrinfled face, crinkly reddish
hair and beard” and “neat folds slanting down his cheeks to the corners of his mouth”.
He had a guttural and one-toned voice. The author desprised his eyes in gray-blue
color that it contains a secret idealism  which is the idealism of being perfectionist In
the teller’s impression, he appeared as if “awakened from some dream of boots, or like
an owl surprised in daylight and annoyed at this interruption”. The detailed and
meticulous descriptions under the narrator's observation seem to paint before the
reader's eyes a warm but lonely, slow but dedicated image - The appearance of an
artist hidden under the cover of a little shoemaker.

c. Personality

 Dedicated and hard working shoemaker

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 Mr. Gessler isn't just any shoemaker; he's a true artist in his trade. "Id is an ardt!"
he says emphatically when the narrator questions him about the process of creating
shoes. He has a great passion for making shoes to the extent that he performs all the
shoes by himself. He even does not want to touch shoes that are not made by him   “He
would never have tolerated in his house leather on which he had not worked himself”.
When Mr Gessler spent the majority of his time crafting boots, it showed his undying
enthusiasm for the craft. He spent hours and hours making shoes as quickly as he
could when he received an order. Ironically, making decent boots takes a long time
and that is also the reason why The Gesslor Brother lost his business. Mr Gesslor is
different from other shoemakers, he never thought of profit he paid attention to the
quality of the products. He disregarded his hunger and worked day and night to
construct a shoe, despite the fact that it made him weaker and weaker. He lost track of
time, never started a fire, and died of famine.  It can be said that he is no longer an
anonymous shoemaker, but he is the embodiment of a true artisan. Every pair of shoes
he makes is a work of art crystallized by love, passion, and warmth.  For him, his life
is associated with shoemaking. Even in the last minutes of life, those shoes still retain
their inherent value. Beyond material values, the shoes he makes are the embodiment
of love for the job and dedication.

 Perfectionism

He is a perfectnism person. When he makes shoes, he focuses on meticulous detail.

The Gessler’s were extremely particular about creating the boots with perfection.
When the narrator tells him that the shoe he made was creaken, he even can not
believe it, which was depicted in the action he waited for the narrator to retract his
assertion. He is dedicated to his profession and pays close attention to every detail in
order to provide the greatest shoes for his customers. Therefore, he cherishes the shoes
he made by himself. He is sad and serious when he knows his shoes are faulty. He
made boots based on the needs and exact measurement of customers so that it can fit
them perfectly. His shoes not only give the cusomer a sense of conformity and
duration. His duration of shoe was depicted as “lasted terribly”

 Honest

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 He is such an honest person. When the narrator claims that a pair of boots produced
by Mr. Gessler does not fit him well, Mr. Gessler refuses to believe him and attempts
to retify the situation. They will declare there is nothing wrong, unlike other
craftspeople. He's open to repairing the boots.   From the character of the shoemaker,
we seem to understand the author's thoughts and concerns about honest people in the
competitive marketplace. They strive to maintain the good values of the profession
while facing a world where money and short-term gratification have overwhelmed
quality and comfort.

 Affection for his brother

Especially, the love he gives for his brother is heart-touching. That loss was
reflected in his eyes, etched in his mind. No matter how much time has passed, a year,
two years, or many years, when the character “I” returns, the old man still remembers
that his brother has left forever with the small shop which he bought long ago.

2. The narrator

He is another character in the story who had great admiration for the Gessler’s.
The first introduction is raised up by the narrator as the first person, referring to the
first line: “I knew him from the days of my extreme youth because he made my
father’s boots” which shows that the Narrator knew Mr. Gessler from his youth
because his father is a customer of the bootmaker.

The Narrator is a curious person, particularly about the boots that Mr. Gessler
makes. It says in the story that he finds it “Mysterious and Wonderful.” Though earlier
as a young man, the narrator did not realize Mr. Gessler’s talent but later as he matured
with age; he started acknowledging Mr. Gessler’s craftsmanship.

The Narrator, also, has been a customer of the bootmaker since he was young,
at the age of fourteen he started getting shoes from them, which refers to the line: “I
remember well my shy remark, one day while stretching out to him my youthful
foot”.He is a loyal customer of Mr. Gessler, as he had patronized Gessler's boots ever
since.

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 He is known as the one who was particularly concerned about the quality of
work so he always order the Gessler for his shoes. One time he had bought a pair from
another renowned shop in an emergency but since he had been able to determine the
difference between Gessler’s and others. Furthermore, in the story, there are more than
once that he pointed out Gessler’s shoes were the hallmarks of quality.

The narrator is a kind-hearted person and sensitive person. For instance, he

observed one by one changes Gessler’s shoe shop and showed great sympathy for the
two brothers' difficult condition. Not only he appreciated their quality of work but also
had a great consideration for their hard work.

The days he came to know the death of the elder brother he could not stay there
for long because he clearly knew the cause of the Gessler’s death. This made him
realize that there was no place for art in this modern world which showed that the
world was too conscious of wealth and profit and hence it was challenging for those
who keep art living. This was the reason why the narrator placed numerous orders with
the thought of financially helping Mr. Gessler as much as possible.

In short, the narrator acts as a mirror that eyes and reflects the intrinsic beauty of
the shoe-maker’s character and lets the readers acknowledge those qualities of Mr.
Gessler.

V. Tone
John Galsworthy adopted diverse attitudes towards the characters, actions and
events in the work Quality. 
1. Reverent
The writer expressed his respect to the skill and meticulousness of Mr Gessler
in making shoes. The reverent tone was shown through the detail: “..., and it seemed
so inconceivable that what he made could ever have failed to fit” and “some inkling
haunted me of the dignity of himself and brother. For to make boots--such boots as he
made--seemed to me then, and still seems to me, mysterious and wonderful.” 
In addition, John Walsworthy also wrote in a highly respectful manner to
describe Mr Gessler's passion and dignity of labor as well as professional ethics
despite the changes in the trade market. The author illustrated that “He would never
12
have tolerated in his house leather on which he had not worked himself” and
“...looking at it with eyes at once critical and loving, as if recalling the glow with
which he had created it, and rebuking the way in which one had disorganized this
masterpiece…” 
2. Sympathetic 
The author conveys his sympathy towards Mr Gessler throughout the story.
First, when the author mentioned that the last pair of town walking-boots creaked,
“...so well could I imagine the sorrowful long curiosity of regard which he would bend
on them,” he wrote sympathetically, and felt sorry for saying such a grave thing.
Second, the sympathetic tone was conveyed through the event when one of Mr.
Gessler shops was substituted by another shop since he could not afford the high
expense – he answered quietly: "Id was too exbensif.” The writer was so
compassionate that “I ordered three pairs, though I had only wanted two…,” he
wrote. 
3. Bitter
In the climax part of the story, John Galsworthy adopted a bitter tone to
illustrate Mr. Gessler’s criticism of large firms which make profit from advertisement,
not from quality of products and cause hardships for his business. The bitter tone can
be seen in his speech: "Dose big virms 'ave no self-respect. Drash!" and "Dey get id
all," he said, "dey get id by adverdisement, nod by work. Dey dake it away from us,
who lofe our boods. Id gomes to this--bresently I haf no work. Every year id gets less--
you will see."
4. Sad and tragic 
The tragic tone was first used to describe the death of Mr Gessler’s elder
brother. In the tragic tone, John Galswothy wrote that “...he said slowly "but my elder
brudder is dead.";  “And I saw that it was indeed himself--but how aged and wan!”;...
At the end of the story, when Mr Gessler died of starvation, the author wrote in
a tragic tone expressed through the spoken word of the shop’s new owner: "Slow
starvation, the doctor called it! … But look at the competition! He never advertised!
Would 'ave the best leather, too, and do it all 'imself. Well, there it is. What could you
expect with his ideas?"; "...he was sittin' over his boots day and night, to the very last.
Never gave 'imself time to eat; never had a penny in the house. All went in rent and

13
leather. How he lived so long I don't know. He regular let his fire go out. He was a
character. But he made good boots."; “And I turned and went out quickly, for I did not
want that youth to know that I could hardly see.”

VI. Atmosphere
The readers will subconsciously experience different moods in “Quality”. 
1. Admiring
During the story, the skills and business ethics of Mr Gessler generate a feeling
of respect and admiration. The man was a talented man who could create “…the pair
of pumps, so inexpressibly slim, the patent leathers with cloth tops, … with marvelous
sooty glow, as if, though new, they had been worn a hundred years.”
2. Dreary
The setting of the story, the color and the smelling of the shop somewhat make
the readers feel dreary. The dreary atmosphere covered the whole shop – “ … over the
top edge of that sort of well--rather dark, and smelling soothingly of leather…”;
“Inside, the now contracted well of the one little shop was more scented and darker
than ever. And it was longer than usual, too, before a face peered down, and the tip-
tap of the bast slippers began.”
3. Surprised 
Readers may experience a surprised feeling three times in the Quality. 
First is when one of two little shops was substituted by another famous firm —
“outside one of the two little windows of his shop another name was painted”. 
The news that Mr Gessler’s elder brother died is also a surprising element in the story:
"I am breddy well," he said slowly "but my elder brudder is dead."; Much shocked; I
murmured: "Oh! I am sorry!".
At the end of the story, readers will be shocked when knowing that Mr Gessler died
from starvation — "Ah!" he said; "a shockin' go. Poor old man starved 'imself."
4. Depressing and compassionate 
When Mr Gessler’s elder brother died, we as readers may know that Mr Gessler
was sorrowful and now he would be the only one who fighted in the competition to
maintain his business. He must have experienced many struggles and hardships before
he died, which evokes compassion in the readers. To create the best shoes as fast as
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possible, he worked day and night without time to eat and spent so much money on
high-quality material that there was not a penny for living costs. Finally, starving
himself. 
5. Discontented 
Readers will be somewhat discontented because the large firms pose difficulties
for Mr Gessler’s small business. It was so unfaired that big brands benefit from
advertising and low-quality products, but Mr Gessler, who created good shoes and
kept his dignity of labor despite being threatened by material gain, suffered from
poverty and consequently died of starvation.  
VII. Themes
The primary theme of “Quality’’ by John Galworthy is the commitment to quality.
This was the commitment to work, to passion. Every worker can be an artist if they
really have a passion for work and immerse themselves in it. Mr Gessler and his elder
brother were a telling example for this. Mr. Gessler stood out in this world controlled
by consumerism by staying honest to his art and through absolute dedication to his
craftsmanship. This commitment to quality also caused Mr. Gessler to make huge
losses, but he handled it gracefully because producing high-quality boots was the top
priority of his life as an artist. No matter what the struggles and hardships they met, he
devotes all his time, and energy to his work and even starves himself to make the
perfect piece of art.
Additionally, there was an existence of competition between small businesses and
big firms. The lives of traditional workers who had fought a losing war against the
industrial revolution in the 20th century were between quality and consumerism, one
in which quality is losing. The industrial revolution brought in its wake mass
production, which was a direct attack on craftsmen like Mr. Gessler, who were artists
of their trade.
The other Quality by John Galsworthy themes is dedication and integrity. Mr.
Gessler was dedicated to his craftsmanship till his very last days. A specific instance is
referred to; “You see I used to watch him. Never gave ‘imself time to eat; never have a
penny in the house”. He did nothing other than making boots, not even setting aside
time to eat and attend to himself. His honesty was exposed when he offered a full

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refund for worn boots that had creaked. He is an actual artist, not a seller which was
shown through his unwillingness to sell his product by marketing.
VIII. Figurative language
1. Irony
In Quality, we can see the situational irony. It is evident that the main characters
put quality and customer satisfaction at the top of their priority. They think that these
two aspects are the thing the customers head to. This ideal seems to help them to
become unique and successful in their area. However, unfortunately, their shoe store
can not compete with other large companies which produce large quantities of
fashionable but not valuable shoes. They can never predict that their customers are
attracted by the advertisement of large firms.  
Furthermore, although their business became more and more difficult, they still
maintained the quality of their shoes and did not do anything to enhance their brand
image. They might expect these characteristics would make them better than other big
firms. However, tragically, this leads to the end of their business and also leads to their
death in poverty. 
The death of the two characters is also a point to discuss. When observing the death
of his brother, [Link] could change the way he does the business. However, he
still sticks to the traditions, and unfortunately, this results in his dreadful death too. 
2. Symbolism
In Quality, we can see various details of symbolism. The first image of
symbolism is The Gesslers’ boots. In particular, they are obviously high-quality boots
with the best leather. This image represents the intrinsic value of human nature and
also the talent of the artists who make them. 
Next, the Gessler shop stands for small businesses in the Industrial Revolution
in England in the 20th century. They are enthusiastic business owners, however, they
face up to difficulties when competing with large firms. With this symbolic detail, I
believe the author wants to indicate that the closure of Gessler shop is common at that
time, and there were a lot of small businesses that would end up closure. 
The Gessler brothers are also a symbolic image. First of all, they represent the
enthusiastic and talented artists who always want to devote themself to the sake of
society. They respect the quality of their product and the positive feelings of their
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customers towards what they produce. However, they are put in a tragedy in which
people seem to care more about the “outlook”, not the “quality”. By portraiting their
image, the author signifies the reality of modern society that is: material gain may
defeat intrinsic values. 
The final symbolic detail is the Gesslers’ death. Personally, I think it represents
the cruel reality of life. The small thing will be defeated by something larger than it.
3. Simile
The narrator compares the shop’s atmosphere to that of a church, “one went in, not
as into most shop, in the mood of: “please serve me, and let me go!” but restfully, as
one enters a church”, to highlight Mr. Gessler's sincerity and the job culture, as well as
his utmost dedication as a shoemaker. His shop was the church where he served his
clients without any selfish intentions.
4. Metaphor
The narrator tells about Gessler brothers with tones of sadness and melancholy at
the beginning of the story. The narrator still wondered how Gessler brothers did such
amazing things, stayed true to himself, to his work no matter how tough it was,
especially in industrialization, “some inkling haunted me of the dignity of himself and
brother. For to make boots- such boots as he made, seemed to me then, and still seem
to me, mysterious and wonderful”, which shows the striking connection between
Gessler brothers’ boots and their goodness. They put their soul and mate into the
quality of their boots.
IX. Point of view
Quality is a story narrated in the first person. The narrator of the story is an
unnamed customer of the shoe store. Throughout each line of Quality, we can see the
storyteller use the first-person pronoun: “I” to indicate himself and use pronouns such
as “he” to refer to the main characters. Specifically, there is some evidence that we can
see in the story such as: “I knew him from the days of my extreme youth because he
made my father's boots; inhabiting with his elder brother two little shops let into one,
in a small by-street--now no more, but then most fashionably placed in the West End.”
Obviously, the narrator takes part in the story and he is the person who is directly
affected by the events in the story. Furthermore, we also can see that the way he
expresses his ideas is not always objective: “Yes,” I said, “he made good boots.”
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Consequently, from the analysis above, we can conclude that Quality has a first-person
point of view. In conclusion, by using the first-person point of view, the author made
the story become reader-friendly and let the readers take part in the story through the
narration of one of the characters.

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