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.
Symbols & Motifs
Country Music
Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses police violence and ableism against people with sight loss.
Country music evokes the themes of longing, loss, and a sense of place. As a motif in this novel, country music represents a form of escapism for Sammy. In his gritty and challenging urban environment in Glasgow, Sammy often turns to country music to mentally transport himself to a different world. The lyrics and melodies evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler, more rural life that stands in contrast to his urban existence. It provides a brief respite from the harsh realities of his life.
Sammy also connects to his absent girlfriend, Helen, through country music. It represents a form of intimacy and common ground in their tumultuous relationship. Their shared moments of listening to country music offer glimpses of tenderness and connection amid their challenges.
Since country music represents escapism, Sammy’s affinity for country music represents a glimmer of hope and resilience. Sammy becomes emotionally moved while listening to certain country songs, and the music provides him with an outlet for his feelings. Whether it’s grief, anger, or a sense of loss, Sammy finds a way to express his emotions through the music. It becomes a source of catharsis and an avenue for him to confront and process his inner turmoil.
The Bath
Sammy puts off taking a bath for several days, constantly reminding himself that he must do so. When he eventually takes a bath, he is arrested in his apartment by the police agents.
At a literal level, taking a bath is an act of cleansing and refreshing oneself. It is a moment of physical renewal and self-care. In the context of Sammy’s life, the act of bathing symbolizes a rare and brief respite from the grueling challenges he faces daily. It represents a moment of normalcy and comfort in a world that often denies him such simple pleasures. The bathwater envelops him, providing a sense of isolation and detachment from the outside world.
However, the bath also symbolizes Sammy’s vulnerability. As he is submerged in the water, he is physically exposed and defenseless. This contrasts with the image of roughness and defiance that Sammy often tries to project, especially when dealing with the authorities. Sammy uses his rough appearance, uncleanliness, and coarse language to protect himself in a gritty environment. The bath, then, reveals his fragility and takes away some of the tools that he uses to protect himself.
The Mop-Stick
The mop that Sammy turns into a makeshift walking stick by cutting off its head serves as a symbol of adaptation, resourcefulness, and resilience.
While Becoming Accustomed to Sight Loss, Sammy must adapt quickly to his new reality in order to survive. The act of transforming a household mop into a walking stick underscores Sammy’s resourcefulness and ability to find solutions to immediate challenges. It represents his determination to navigate a world that has become disorienting. By fashioning his own tool for navigation, Sammy asserts his agency and the importance of maintaining a degree of control over his life.
The transformation of the mop head into a walking stick highlights the makeshift nature of Sammy’s solutions to his problems. This reflects his precarious condition, as Sammy does not have the means to buy a proper white cane. It underscores the lack of proper support and resources available to him as a working-class individual on the margins of society. In a world where access to medical care and assistance is limited, Sammy must improvise and make do with what he has at hand.
