The Boots
The Gessler's boots are a key symbol of their artistic talent. The narrator describes them in a flattering tone, praising the Gessler brothers' high-quality products; for example, the narrator describes how the shoes are so well-made that they never seem to wear out: "they were better than ever. One simply could no wear them out."
The Gessler Shop
The Gessler Shop is a symbol of small businesses, with owners who work hard to create high-quality products. In this story, the Gessler's struggle to survive in a capitalist economic climate, with the younger brother ultimately dying of starvation before the shop is closed for good. The closure of the shop is a symbol of the imminent collapse of small businesses, which Galsworthy predicts in this story.
The death of the brothers
The deaths of the Gessler brothers symbolize the decline of smaller businesses as a result of larger corporations and a lack of customers. The eldest brother explains to the narrator that business and demand had declined in recent years, as customers were flocking to the large firms. In addition to this, the brothers make great quality shoes, meaning that they last a lot longer. As a result, customers do not buy shoes from them as often. Due to these two reasons, the brother's struggle to make ends meet, and eventually both die due to financial depravity.
