Chapter 5: Quality … Trees
Quality
Overview of the Story
“Quality” is a short story by John Galsworthy that highlights the life and work of two German shoemakers, the Gessler brothers, who are dedicated to their craft. The story explores themes of dedication, craftsmanship, and the struggle between quality and commercialism.
Main Characters
Key Characters
- Mr. Gessler (Younger Brother): A meticulous and dedicated shoemaker who takes immense pride in his work.
- Mr. Gessler (Older Brother): Equally dedicated to the craft of shoemaking but less prominently featured in the story.
- The Narrator: A customer who deeply appreciates the Gessler brothers’ work and narrates the story.
Plot Summary
Dedication to Craft
- Exquisite Craftsmanship: The Gessler brothers are known for their high-quality shoes, made with precision and care.
- Struggle with Competition: Despite their excellent craftsmanship, they struggle to compete with big manufacturers who produce shoes cheaply and quickly.
Decline of Business
- Economic Hardship: The Gessler brothers face financial difficulties due to their commitment to quality and inability to adapt to commercial pressures.
- Death of the Brothers: The story ends on a poignant note with the demise of the Gessler brothers, symbolizing the decline of true craftsmanship in the face of mass production.
Moral of the Story
Key Takeaways
- Dedication and Passion: The story emphasizes the importance of dedication and passion for one’s craft.
- Challenges of Maintaining Quality: It also highlights the challenges faced by those who prioritize quality over profit.
Trees
Overview of the Poem
“Trees” is a poem by Shirley Bauer that celebrates the beauty and importance of trees. The poem uses vivid imagery to describe various activities and creatures that benefit from trees, emphasizing their role in nature and human life.
Themes of the Poem
Key Themes
- Nature’s Beauty: The poem highlights the aesthetic and ecological value of trees.
- Interdependence: It underscores the interdependence of all living beings and the essential role trees play in sustaining life.
Imagery and Language
Use of Imagery
- Visual Imagery: The poem uses visual imagery to create a vivid picture of the trees and their surroundings.
- Personification: Trees are personified, depicted as sheltering, nurturing, and playing vital roles in the ecosystem.
Activities Around Trees
Depicted Scenes
- Playground for Children: Trees are shown as places where children play and swing.
- Homes for Birds: The poem describes birds building nests in trees.
- Source of Shade: Trees provide shade and comfort to people and animals alike.
Conclusion
Summary of the Chapter
“Quality” teaches valuable lessons about dedication to one’s craft and the challenges of maintaining high standards in a commercial world.
“Trees” celebrates the beauty and importance of trees, highlighting their essential role in the ecosystem and their significance to various forms of life.
Additional Information
Key Terms and Concepts
- Craftsmanship: The quality of design and work shown in something made by hand.
- Personification: The attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities.
- Interdependence: Mutual reliance between two or more groups.
Important Examples and Cases
- Gessler Brothers’ Dedication: Demonstrates the theme of dedication to quality and craftsmanship.
- Scenes in “Trees”: Illustrates the various roles trees play in nature and human life.
Notable Observations
- Commercial Pressures: “Quality” incorporates themes of commercial pressures affecting traditional crafts.
- Poetic Devices: “Trees” effectively uses poetic devices like imagery and personification to convey its message.
FAQs
The story “Quality” was written by John Galsworthy.
The main characters are the Gessler brothers and the narrator.
The main theme is dedication to craftsmanship and the struggle between quality and commercialism.
The Gessler brothers are known for their high-quality shoes, made with precision and care.
They struggle to compete with big manufacturers who produce shoes cheaply and quickly.
The Gessler brothers face financial difficulties and eventually their business declines.
The story ends with the death of the Gessler brothers, symbolizing the decline of true craftsmanship.
The story teaches the importance of dedication and passion for one’s craft and the challenges of maintaining high standards in a commercial world.
The poem “Trees” was written by Shirley Bauer.
The main theme is the beauty and importance of trees in nature and human life.
The poem uses visual imagery to create a vivid picture of trees and their surroundings.
Activities depicted include children playing, birds building nests, and providing shade.
Trees are personified as sheltering, nurturing, and playing vital roles in the ecosystem.
Trees provide a playground for children to play and swing.
Birds build nests in the trees.
Shade from trees offers comfort to people and animals alike.
The poem underscores how various forms of life rely on trees for shelter, food, and other needs.
Craftsmanship refers to the quality of design and work shown in something made by hand.
They face the challenge of maintaining high-quality standards while competing with mass-produced, cheaper shoes.
The poem prominently uses personification and visual imagery.
“Quality” reflects on the value of traditional crafts by showcasing the dedication and skill of the Gessler brothers.
Their commitment to quality leads to financial difficulties and ultimately their decline.
The narrator deeply appreciates the Gessler brothers’ meticulous craftsmanship.
“Trees” is a free verse poem with vivid imagery and personification.
Both pieces emphasize the importance of dedication to one’s work and the interdependence of life on natural elements.
Chapter 5:Quality …Trees … MCQs
1. Who are the main characters in “Quality”?
2. What is the main theme of “Quality”?
3. What are the Gessler brothers known for?
4. How do the Gessler brothers struggle in their business?
5. What happens to the Gessler brothers’ business?
6. How does the story “Quality” end?
7. What moral lesson does “Quality” teach?
8. Who wrote the poem “Trees”?
9. What is the main theme of the poem “Trees”?
10. How does the poem “Trees” use imagery?
11. What activities are depicted around trees in the poem?
12. What is the significance of shade provided by trees?
Access concise and comprehensive short notes for all chapters of the Class 7 Science NCERT book, designed for CBSE students. Click here to view the complete collection.
