"Quality" is largely about the rise of big corporations and the devastating impact this has on smaller businesses. This is explored through the Gessler brothers, a pair of shoemakers who make excellent shoes, as testified by the narrator. The narrator describes these shoes with rich imagery, expressing his admiration for the talent and craftsmanship of the two brothers.
Interestingly, the shoes made by the Gessler brothers are contrasted with the shoes made at the larger corporation. While the shoes from the Gessler brothers fit perfectly, as they are made from scratch for each individual, the shoes from the larger firm are not as personal. Indeed, the narrator emphasizes that the Gessler brothers spend a lot of time perfecting their shoes, meaning that a lot of customers take their business elsewhere.
At the end of the essay, the narrator tells us that he went to visit the shoe shop once more. To his surprise, he discovered that the younger Gessler brother had died of starvation, due to a lack of funds. It is explained that the shoemaker was so devoted to making perfect shoes, that he was not compensated for his time fairly. Here, the death of the brother represents the death of small businesses, which are crushed under harsh requirements and pressures.
