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.
Themes
Becoming Accustomed to Sight Loss
Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses police violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and ableism against people with sight loss.
Through the experiences of Sammy, James Kelman explores the challenges and gradual adaptation that come with losing one’s sight. This theme is woven into the narrative, shedding light on the physical, emotional, and psychological adjustments that Sammy undergoes.
At the outset of the novel, while in prison, Sammy discovers that he has lost his vision due to a violent encounter with the police. This abrupt and devastating loss of sight plunges Sammy into a world of darkness, disorientation, and vulnerability. As Sammy grapples with the immediate aftermath of his blindness, Kelman portrays his internal turmoil. His thoughts are filled with frustration, anger, and resilience as he attempts to make sense of his new reality. His initial reactions include denial and disbelief, followed by mental adjustment to his new situation. Sammy’s journey toward becoming accustomed to his sight loss is not a linear one. Instead, it is marked by setbacks, moments of despair, and the relentless struggle to regain a sense of control over his life.
Throughout the novel, Sammy is determined to regain independence. He begins to explore strategies and tools that can aid him in his daily life. The introduction of a white stick, which Sammy uses for navigation, symbolizes his willingness to embrace practical solutions. Kelman’s portrayal highlights the importance of such tools. These objects become extensions of the body and help the adaptation process. When he does not have his stick, Sammy feels significantly more vulnerable on the street.
An important aspect that characterizes Sammy’s relationship with his city, Glasgow, is his wandering. He expresses the pleasure he takes in making contact with the streets. However, his wandering is greatly modified by his sight loss. He expresses several times his regret at not being able to wander like before. At the same time, he finds new ways to observe the world. His sensory experiences are heightened, and there is a sense of connection with the city that goes deeper than visual observation. Sammy connects with the rhythm of the city.
As the narrative progresses, Sammy gradually accepts his sight loss. He begins to develop a sense of routine and regains some control over his life. Kelman hence acknowledges that becoming accustomed to sight loss is not synonymous with resignation; instead, it involves finding new ways to engage with the world.
Bureaucratic Challenges for Marginalized People
The theme of bureaucratic challenges is a pervasive and significant element in How Late It Was, How Late. Sammy deals with the frustrating and dehumanizing world of bureaucratic institutions and he struggles to navigate them. This theme underscores the power dynamics, indifference, and systemic obstacles that working class individuals or people with disabilities face when seeking assistance or justice. The narrative suggests that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the way most institutions function and the marginalization of the vulnerable.
Sammy has numerous encounters with various bureaucratic institutions, primarily the police, the Department of Social Services, and the medical establishment. From the moment he seeks help after losing his vision, Sammy is thrust into a bureaucratic maze characterized by red tape, impersonal interactions, and a lack of empathy. Kelman constructs Sammy as a representative of individuals who must rely on government agencies for support.
One of the most salient aspects of bureaucratic challenges in the novel is the dehumanizing nature of the interactions. Kelman depicts the dismissive attitudes of bureaucratic agents who treat Sammy as a mere case number or statistic. These agents are more concerned with following protocols and maintaining their authority than with understanding and addressing Sammy’s needs. The most extreme example of this is the doctor’s insistence on labeling Sammy’s condition as anxiety rather than acknowledging his vision impairment. The bureaucratic system’s rigid adherence to categorizations further isolates Sammy and exacerbates his struggles. As Sammy—and with him, the reader—does not know the reasons behind the procedures, Kelman presents the behavior of the authorities as cruel and absurd.
Kelman illustrates the power imbalances inherent in bureaucratic encounters. Sammy’s lack of agency is contrasted with the authoritative figures he encounters, such as the doctor and police officers. These figures hold considerable power over Sammy’s life, determining his eligibility for benefits, medical treatment, and even his freedom. Sammy’s vulnerability as a marginalized individual is exacerbated by the bureaucratic system’s capacity to exercise control and discretion.
The theme of bureaucratic challenges also highlights the paradox of seeking assistance within a system that often perpetuates dependency. Sammy is caught in a cycle of seeking benefits and assistance, yet the process is designed to be complex and challenging, discouraging individuals from accessing the support they need.
Moreover, Kelman’s portrayal of bureaucratic challenges extends to the broader societal implications of such systems. The novel underscores how institutions perpetuate inequality in the marginalization of individuals like Sammy. The bureaucratic hurdles that he faces are not solely the result of inefficient or unfeeling agents; they reflect and exacerbate systemic issues that disproportionately affect those on the fringes of society.
Kelman’s depiction of the bureaucratic system shows the influence of Franz Kafka, a pioneer of literary existentialism, who explores the dehumanizing and absurd aspects of bureaucratic systems in works like The Trial (written 1915, published 1925) and The Castle (written 1922, published 1926). Kelman draws on Kafkaesque elements to underscore the nightmarish and surreal quality of Sammy’s interactions with bureaucratic institutions. These authority figures exhibit capricious behavior, inconsistent rules, and an apparent indifference to Sammy’s plight, echoing the surreal and nightmarish qualities of Kafka’s narratives. Information asymmetry and the Kafkaesque notion that the supplicant is kept in the dark about bureaucratic processes resonate throughout the novel. Sammy is often bewildered by a lack of transparency and the absence of clear explanations from the authorities. This mirrors Kafka’s exploration of the absurdity of being subject to a system whose rules and motivations remain opaque.
The Relationship Between Anxiety and Class
Sammy’s anxiety is not just an individual affliction but a reflection of the broader challenges faced by those on the margins of society. One of the key aspects of anxiety in the novel is its manifestation as a pervasive and overwhelming force in Sammy’s life. As a working-class individual with limited resources and support, Sammy’s responds with anxiety to the precariousness of his situation. Experiencing sight loss and the overall violence he faces in his life contribute to a mounting sense of dread and uncertainty.
Kelman paints a vivid picture of the mental toll that economic insecurity takes on Sammy, who constantly worries about how he will make ends meet and secure a future for himself. Sammy’s experience of anxiety highlights the isolation and lack of support that often accompany this condition. Sammy’s social circle is limited, and he struggles to find understanding and empathy from those around him. His girlfriend, Helen, is absent, and his interactions with acquaintances and bureaucratic agents are fraught with tension and misunderstanding. This isolation exacerbates his anxiety and contributes to a sense of alienation.
The novel also explores the physical manifestations of anxiety, such as insomnia, irritability, and a sense of helplessness. Sammy’s constant agitation is indicative of the toll that anxiety takes on his mental and physical well-being. These symptoms are further exacerbated by his sight loss.
Kelman explores an insidious aspect of anxiety for a working-class person such as Sammy, which is that it can turn against oneself. In Sammy’s case, the doctor whom he consults suggests that his sight loss is masked anxiety. For this reason, Sammy has to hide his anxiety from those around him. This episode draws attention to the lack of access to adequate resources and support to treat mental health conditions in working-class communities. To reinforce this point, Sammy self-medicates through alcohol and drugs. He drinks when he is upset, such as after a fight with his girlfriend, or smokes continuously to keep anxiety at bay.
Sammy does show some understanding of his own anxiety, as he does breathing exercises in times of distress. He also understands that changes in lifestyle, such as daily exercising, quitting smoking, and moderate drinking, have a positive effect on his overall emotional state. However, as he is stuck within a cycle of violence and vulnerability with the police and other authorities, he understands that he needs to leave and seek another mode of life. Kelman hence emphasizes Sammy’s potential if given access to adequate mental health support.
