51 pages • 1 hour read
James KelmanHow Late It Was, How Late
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Sammy Samuels
Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses police violence and ableism against people with sight loss.
Sammy Samuels is the unreliable protagonist of How Late It Was, How Late. His character is a complex and multifaceted exploration of the condition of the Scottish working class in a period marked by austerity politics. Sammy’s journey throughout the narrative is a lens through which the novel examines adversity, resilience, and the search for stability.
One of Sammy’s most significant character traits is his resilience in the face of adversity. From the very beginning of the novel, he finds himself in a dire situation, discovering his sight loss in a police cell with no recollection of how he got there. Despite this obstacle, Sammy persists in his quest to navigate the world as a person with a disability and to seek accommodation for his condition. His unwavering determination to make his way in the world represents working-class resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Another important character trait of Sammy is his sense of defiance and cynicism toward authority figures and societal institutions. He harbors a deep mistrust of the police, which stems from his belief that they are violent and corrupt. Throughout the novel, he questions the legitimacy of the legal system, the bureaucracy of social services, and the motives of those in power. His skepticism reflects the novel’s broader exploration of societal injustice and Bureaucratic Challenges for Marginalized People.
As the novel progresses, Sammy undergoes a transformation that is both physical and emotional. His physical transformation is the most apparent, as he learns to navigate the world as a person experiencing sight loss. This transformation is marked by his struggles with mobility, his reliance on a white stick, and his attempts to adapt to a new way of life. Through Sammy’s perspective, James Kelman represents the challenges and frustrations faced by working-class individuals with disabilities.
Emotionally, Sammy undergoes profound evolution as well. His character begins as a somewhat cynical and embittered individual, quick to anger and skeptical of the intentions of others. However, as the narrative unfolds, Kelman portrays moments of vulnerability and tenderness in Sammy. His interactions with his son Peter and his thoughts of his absent girlfriend Helen reveal a deeper emotional layer to his character. Sammy’s longing for Helen’s return, his concern for Peter’s future, and his desire to mend past misunderstandings demonstrate his capacity for love and connection.
Sammy’s character underscores the novel’s exploration of societal issues. Through his experiences, the narrative delves into the topics of poverty, inequality, and the dehumanizing effects of bureaucracy. Sammy’s encounters with social services, the medical establishment, and the police force highlight the systemic challenges faced by individuals on the margins of society. His character is a conduit through which the novel critiques the failings of these institutions and calls attention to the injustices that they perpetuate.
Ally
Ally is a secondary character in How Late It Was, How Late. He is a flat, one-dimensional character who plays a crucial role in the narrative, serving as both a confidant and a catalyst for the protagonist, Sammy.
Ally’s defining character trait is his role as a legal representative and advocate for individuals like Sammy. He is well versed in the intricacies of the legal system and uses his knowledge to assist Sammy in navigating Bureaucratic Challenges for Marginalized People. Ally’s expertise and willingness to help Sammy suggest some hope in a skewed legal system for people like Sammy. Moreover, Ally was a convict, which helped him to understand the legal system from the inside. This backstory signals that Ally is a figure whom Sammy can trust, which creates dissonance with Sammy’s suspicion of him, thus highlighting Sammy’s turbulent mental state.
Ally’s character raises questions about the ethics of representation and advocacy. As he probes Sammy about his life, Kelman explores the blurred lines between legal representation and personal curiosity. This aspect of Ally’s character adds complexity to the narrative, immersing readers in Sammy’s perspective as it invites them to question the motivations and intentions of those who advocate on behalf of others.
Peter
Peter, Sammy’s son, is a secondary character whose presence and actions illuminate important aspects of the narrative. Peter’s character sheds light on familial relationships, responsibility, and the impact of Sammy’s actions on those around him. Peter is a flat, one-dimensional character.
One of Peter’s most notable character traits is his unwavering loyalty to and concern for his father, Sammy. Despite Sammy’s tumultuous life and the strained relationship between them, Peter demonstrates a deep sense of responsibility and love for his father. His willingness to visit Sammy and assist him, even when he is aware of Sammy’s difficult circumstances and tumultuous past, showcases his commitment to familial bonds.
Peter’s character reflects the consequences of Sammy’s actions. Peter’s behavior indicates that he has already been exposed to delinquency. Throughout the narrative, it becomes evident that Sammy’s choices and lifestyle have indirectly affected Peter’s life. Sammy’s imprisonment, drinking, and involvement with the police have had a lasting impact on Peter’s upbringing and sense of stability. These aspects highlight the ripple effect of Sammy’s behavior on those closest to him, generating indirect character development.
Peter’s character also raises questions about the cyclical nature of familial relationships. Despite his aspirations for a different life, Peter finds himself drawn back into Sammy’s world, assisting him with photographs and potentially becoming entangled in his father’s plans to escape the authorities and leave Glasgow. This aspect of Peter’s character underscores the challenges of breaking free from intergenerational marginalization, even when striving for independence.
