1. The last breath Sam Kahiga

2. The last breath Sam Kahiga
Title refers to someone’s death.
Setting:
Visit to blind school – ends at graveside.
Passing of time – a year before he wanted to study music. Now in a bank. In a few months he will be coming of age. A ‘bleak’ June passes.
July he proposes.
Story ends in August (Spring).

3. Characters Narrator at center of events. In love with Eva.
Will not let father dictate.
Eva – blind girl.
Determination – the copper ring.
In end, when he realizes his father’s sacrifice, his view changes.
Father also changes – donate his eyes – corneas.
Mother is the peacemaker. Loves both, but would want son to obey father.
She accepts Eva into family.

4. Summary – main points
Despite father’s opposition, he is determined. Father cannot agree – Eva is blind. Leads to tension. Thinks son will be stuck with dependent wife. Concern is to have the best for his son. Narrator feels that father does not have his interests at heart – not the first time father has blocked his wishes – music. Proposes marriage – Eva refuses - wait till she can see. She has been promised corneas from someone crossing over. Surprise ending – happy and sad – Father donated corneas. Unselfish love of parent.

5. Plot development
Opening – narrator in love with Eva. Blind.
Conflict – Narrator angry because father is against the relationship – she is blind. Shout ‘then give her eyes!’
They have clashed before.
When he proposes, Eva says to wait.

6. 5. Father was donor. 6. Cared for his son.
3. Climax – Eva going to hospital.
A mysterious donor, who is near death,
has promised corneas.
Resolution – Eva can see.
5. Father was donor.
6. Cared for his son.

7. Themes
Prejudice (disabilities). Parents’ interference with ‘adult’ children’s choices. Need to see things properly. To be ‘blind’ and misunderstand people and their motives. Narrator is blind to his father’s responses. Generation gap – different views. Father wants what is best for son but leads to conflict. Son realizes that father really cared.

8. The depressive mood changes to warm and happy.
Weather changes – sun smiles again.
Narrator’s attitude changes – mixture of joy and sorrow at father’s grave.

9. Themes
Career / life choices Some Themes: Prejudice; family conflict; organ donation; generation gap

10. Need to know
Title: A reference to the father’s dying wish – to donate his corneas to Eva.
Setting: The blind school; the father’s car; the family home.
Characterization:
Narrator – Headstrong; strong-willed; determined; a risk-taker – determined to marry Eva despite his father’s disapproval; caring; non-judgmental; love and admiration for Eva.
Father – Disapproves of the marriage; prejudiced towards the blind (at the beginning of the story); interferes with the son’s career plans; cares about son’s well-being; shows kindness in his last breath – donates cornea to Eva
Mother – Understanding; peaceful; loving; supportive – serves as a peace-maker between father and son
Eva – independent – the “Inner Eva” was “far from helpless”. She loves the narrator
– has brought “sunshine” into his life.
Climax: A mysterious donor has been found – Eva goes to hospital for the cornea transplant