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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate14 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The chapter 'Quality' is a touching narrative about Mr. Gessler, a dedicated German shoemaker who prides himself on his craftsmanship. Despite the superior quality of his boots, Mr. Gessler struggles to compete with larger firms that overshadow his business with advertisements, ultimately leading to his downfall. The story highlights themes of dedication, quality over quantity, and the impact of industrialization on individual artisans. The poem 'Trees' lists various ways trees serve nature and humanity, conveying the multifaceted roles that trees play in our lives.
Key Topics
- •Dedication to craftsmanship
- •Impact of industrialization on artisans
- •The value of quality over advertisement
- •Emotional bonds with traditional trades
- •Environmental significance of trees
- •Cultural heritage reflected in language
- •Consumerism and ethics
- •Impact of commercialization
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the significance of traditional crafts in a modern context
- ✓Analyze the effects of commercialism on individual trades
- ✓Discuss the various roles trees play in ecosystems and human life
- ✓Understand cultural influences on language and trade
- ✓Reflect on the emotional and ethical aspects of craftsmanship
- ✓Evaluate the balance between modernization and preservation of heritage skills
Questions in Chapter
What was the author’s opinion about Mr Gessler as a bootmaker?
Answer: The author believed Mr Gessler to be a master craftsman who made excellent boots.
Page 79
Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently?
Answer: The author visited infrequently because Mr. Gessler's boots lasted a long time.
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What was the effect on Mr Gessler of the author’s remark about a certain pair of boots?
Answer: Mr. Gessler was deeply affected by the remark and took it as a personal failure of his craftsmanship.
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What was Mr Gessler’s complaint against 'big firms'?
Answer: Mr. Gessler complained that big firms took customers away by advertising rather than quality work.
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Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?
Answer: The author ordered many pairs out of sympathy and admiration for Mr. Gessler rather than necessity.
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What are the games or human activities which use trees, or in which trees also ‘participate’?
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‘Trees are to make no shade in winter.’ What does this mean? (Contrast this line with the line immediately before it.)
Page 85
‘Trees are for apples to grow on, or pears.’ Do you agree that one purpose of a tree is to have fruit on it? Or do you think this line is humorous?
Page 85
Additional Practice Questions
Why did Mr. Gessler refuse to advertise his boots?
mediumAnswer: Mr. Gessler believed in the quality of his craftsmanship and felt that true work did not require advertisement. He saw advertising as inauthentic compared to the genuine quality of boots he created.
Discuss the symbolism of Mr. Gessler's struggle against big firms.
hardAnswer: Mr. Gessler's struggle symbolizes the decline of traditional craftsmanship in the face of growing industrialization and commercialism. His dedication to quality represents the old-world values being overshadowed by new-age marketing tactics.
How does the poem 'Trees' depict the utility of trees in human life?
easyAnswer: The poem 'Trees' depicts them as essential providers for various needs, including shade, fruits, and recreation, illustrating the integral role trees play in nature and human life.
In what way does the language Mr. Gessler uses reflect his cultural background?
mediumAnswer: Mr. Gessler's accent and speech patterns reveal his German origins. His pronunciation is marked by German influences, especially in the softer articulation of p, t, k sounds.
Evaluate the impact of Mr. Gessler’s personal ethics on his business.
hardAnswer: Mr. Gessler's unwavering commitment to quality over marketing hindered his business success in a market that prioritized advertising. His ethics made him an exceptional craftsman but a less competitive businessman.
What does the interaction with Mr. Gessler teach about respect and value for traditional skills?
mediumAnswer: The interaction underscores the importance of valuing traditional craftsmanship, highlighting how modern consumer culture can undermine nuanced skills, ultimately suggesting a need to appreciate and preserve such trades.
If Mr. Gessler had adapted his methods, could his business have survived? Discuss.
hardAnswer: Likely, adopting modern marketing strategies could have helped Mr. Gessler balance his commitment to quality with business growth, though such changes might have compromised his personal values.
Reflect on the narrative style of 'Quality' and its effectiveness in conveying emotion.
mediumAnswer: The narrative style in 'Quality', with its detailed descriptions and emotional depth, effectively conveys the poignant struggle of Mr. Gessler, eliciting sympathy and admiration from readers.
How does the poem 'Trees' encourage environmental conservation?
easyAnswer: By emphasizing the multifaceted benefits of trees, the poem 'Trees' implicitly urges readers to recognize their value and the need to protect these vital resources.
Analyze the themes of nostalgia and change in the chapter 'Quality'.
hardAnswer: Themes of nostalgia and change are evident in the narrator's memories of Mr. Gessler's shop, reflecting a lost era of individual artistry replaced by mass production and ephemeral consumer trends.