Question

Why did the author call those boots bought from the big firm 'ill-omened'?

Answer 1

Hint: The context of the above question is given in the chapter ‘Quality’. It is a story about Mr Gessler who is a german shoemaker who settled in London. The story tells how Mr Gessler devotes his life to his art. It is written by John Galsworthy.

Complete answer:
The author had known Mr Gessler since his early youth because the author's father would get his shoes made from Mr Gessler. He was in awe of the perfection of Gessler’s art of making shoes. He admired the fact that the boots used to fit perfectly and were of good quality as they lasted for a good long time.
He would often go to buy boots for himself from Mr Gessler. One time it happened so that a pair of his boots creaked. He informed Mr Gessler about it. Mr Gessler said that he will look at the boots and if he cannot do anything with them he will return the money.

Likewise, one day the author ventured into the shop of Gessler, wearing a pair of boots purchased from a big firm. Seeing the boots Mr Gessler got bitter and did not show him any leather samples while taking his order for boots.

Mr Gessler then put his fingers on the author's boot where it was uncomfortable and then vented out his bitter feelings for the big firms. Gessler was bitter towards big firms because they had taken the customers from small shoe traders and shoemakers who were passionate about shoemaking. Due to these big firms, sales of small traders had gone down. Yet, these firms would never give shoes with a comfortable fit and would solely increase their sales on the basis of advertisements.

It was after understanding Mr Gessler's hardships, that the author referred to his boots from the big firm as “ill-omened” as he tried to explain the reason for their purchase.

Note: The theme of the story is based on ‘commitment and dedication to one’s work’. Mr Gessler in the story was ethical enough to provide quality for money. He was very passionate about his work which was evident from the fact that despite the losses he did not lower the quality of boots.