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.
Section 5Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Pages 578-637 Summary
Sammy contemplates various aspects of his life and his current situation while facing challenging weather conditions. He reflects on his feelings of loneliness and the need for change. He also mentions his desire to quit smoking. He considers his plans for the future, including leaving Glasgow for England. Sammy recalls past experiences, such as a physical altercation and his time in prison. Despite these challenges, Sammy remains determined and resilient as he prepares to leave his current place and embark on a new journey.
Sammy’s thoughts and actions reflect a sense of resignation and acceptance of his circumstances. He acknowledges the difficulties in his life, such as health issues and strained relationships, but also emphasizes his desire for a fresh start. His reflections convey a sense of isolation and vulnerability, as Sammy navigates a harsh environment and contemplates his future.
Boab, Sammy’s neighbor, announces that Sammy’s 15-year-old son, Peter, has come to visit. Peter brings his friend, Keith. The reason for his visit is Ally’s request that Peter take photos of Sammy’s injuries for his claims in court.
The rest of the text revolves around conversations between Sammy, Peter, and Keith. Sammy lies to the boys that he had a recent accident and needs photos for an insurance claim. The boys agree to help by taking the photos and getting them developed. Sammy emphasizes the importance of keeping it a secret from others. They discuss school, potential careers, and Keith’s older brother’s divorce.
Pages 638-675 Summary
Sammy speaks about his need for insurance evidence and brings up a potential move to England. He advises the boys to keep their involvement a secret from their families. Peter expresses his willingness to help Sammy, and Keith shares some family background information. Sammy tells the boys that the duration of his absence is uncertain. However, Sammy assures Peter that he will stay in touch through letters while he is away.
Peter shares his desire to accompany Sammy, but Sammy advises him to finish school first and undertake a training scheme to ensure a stable future. Sammy mentions that even his girlfriend, Helen, won’t be joining him initially, emphasizing the need to establish stability before her potential arrival. He promises Peter that once he is settled, he will send for him. Sammy urges Peter not to reveal his plans to anyone and emphasizes the importance of secrecy. He reassures Peter repeatedly that he will stay in touch and discusses the possibility of returning home in a few months, depending on how things unfold.
As they prepare to leave, Sammy reminds Peter to keep quiet about their conversation and not reveal any information to others. Peter offers Sammy some money, but Sammy declines, ultimately accepting it after Peter insists.
With the help of the boys, Sammy begins packing his belongings, including clothing, documents, and personal items. He writes a letter to Helen, apologizing for a past misunderstanding and expressing his intention to be in touch soon. As they prepare to leave, Sammy instructs Peter to ensure that the house is secure, including turning off lights and taps. Peter and Keith are excited to help Sammy put his plan into practice. They do as they are told and help him leave the house, with a plan to bring him Peter’s savings money at a bar beside Peter’s family’s house.
As they leave the building and wait for a taxi, Sammy discusses the potential for someone following them, such as the police, reinforcing the need for caution. Their conversation ends with Sammy noticing a group of people near a building, raising concerns about their presence.
Sammy acts with confidence, directing the boys to get away from the potential police agents. Sammy once again stresses the importance of secrecy and asks Peter and Keith to act casually, as if they are not involved in anything unusual. The determination and knowledge in executing the disappearance show Sammy’s experience in such cases.
As Sammy leaves, he emphasizes the need for Peter and Keith to meet with him later and promises to provide them with an address for correspondence. There is an air of tension and uncertainty surrounding Sammy’s departure.
Sammy eventually takes a taxi to a pub called the Swan Inn, close to Peter’s house, where he enjoys a pint of lager and contemplates his journey. Eventually, the boys come, bringing the money, and warmly say their goodbyes to Sammy. The text leaves readers with numerous unanswered questions about Sammy’s motives, the nature of his journey, and the potential threats he faces.
Section 5 Analysis
Section 5 includes a pivotal moment in Sammy’s life, marked by his interactions with his son Peter and the latter’s friend, Keith. This section highlights the complexities of Sammy’s character, his desire to protect Peter, and his audacious plan to escape the authorities while drawing the boys into his clandestine scheme.
One of the central topics that emerges in this section is Sammy’s paternal concern for Peter’s well-being. Despite his own dire circumstances and the impending journey into uncertainty, Sammy’s love for his son shines through. He offers Peter guidance, emphasizing the importance of education and stability in Peter’s life. Sammy’s advice to Peter reflects his aspirations for a better future for his son, even as he faces an uncertain and perilous path of his own. At the same time, Sammy accepts Peter’s money as help. While Sammy expresses paternal feelings and care toward Peter, it is actually Peter who demonstrates paternal care toward Sammy by offering his savings, asking to take care of Sammy’s housing situation, and even insisting to come with Sammy and help him. Peter’s tenderness toward his father balances out the alienation that Sammy has received from society throughout the novel.
Sammy’s decision to involve Peter and Keith in his plan is both a testament to his desperation and determination. He recognizes that he needs assistance to carry out his scheme successfully, and he believes that he can trust Peter and Keith to keep his secrets. This choice underscores the novel’s exploration of mistrust of the authorities. When faced with help from a lawyer and charities—though with no guarantee—Sammy favors similarly vulnerable members of society even if it means exposing them to danger.
Furthermore, throughout their interactions, Sammy emphasizes the importance of secrecy to Peter and Keith. He understands the potential repercussions of his actions, including the involvement of the police, and impresses upon the boys the need for discretion. Sammy’s awareness of the risks involved in his plan adds an element of tension to the narrative, as Kelman does not resolve whether the boys will be unwittingly drawn into the legal troubles that haunt Sammy. As Sammy and the boys make their way to the Swan Inn, a sense of tension and uncertainty pervades the narrative. Sammy’s alertness to potential threats, including the presence of unfamiliar individuals, demonstrates his keen survival instincts. This heightened awareness creates suspense to the scene, as readers are left to ponder the risks Sammy faces and whether his escape plan will succeed. The fact that this suspense is not followed by a resolution reflects The Relationship Between Anxiety and Class by mirroring Sammy’s feelings of uncertainty as he heads toward a new life without money or institutional support.
Although Kelman does not create a sense of resolution, he does generate poignancy in the ending. The letter to Helen carries emotional weight, as it represents a final attempt at communication with the woman he loves—a chance to make amends for past misunderstandings. It also underscores Sammy’s desire for a fresh start, with the promise of reuniting with Helen once he’s established stability elsewhere. Furthermore, the section ends with a poignant moment as Peter and Keith bid Sammy farewell, handing over the money and sharing heartfelt goodbyes. It is a moment that encapsulates a father’s love for his son, a son’s desire to help his father, and the shared secrecy of their actions. In the end, Sammy’s support comes from his only active blood relationship—with his son. This emphasizes the importance of family in the face of adversity. Although his relationships are falling apart, his son accepts his father the way he is. The relationship between Sammy and Peter suggests that, in spite of a challenging life and dubious choices, it is possible to pass on to the future generation principles of virtue and care. Although Sammy’s inner dialogue is filled with curses, anger, and resentment, the principles that he is guided by are family, harmony, and peace. Through Sammy, Kelman represents the underlying dynamics and principles of marginalized people beyond the surface.
