"Quality" is a story written by John Galsworthy and was first published in “The Inn of Tranquillity: Studies and Essays” in 1912.
The story revolves around the tale of the Gessler brothers, renowned shoemakers in Germany. The book takes the format of regular visits from an unnamed narrator as they place order for new shoes and comments on the fine quality. Towards the end of the book, the visits become rarer until, one day, the narrator learns both brother have died because they refused to compromise on the excellence of their shoe-making. Ultimately, the story is a criticism of the business world and of mass production instead of appreciating small business owners.
Galsworthy spent his life exploring the socio-political scene and the effects of poverty on people’s lives. He was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932.
