The Last Breath by Sam Kahinga

Overview

Author: Sam Kahiga (Kenya)

• Born in 1946 in Uthiru, Kenya.
• Studied art and design in Nairobi; worked for the National Broadcasters as a documentary filmmaker.
• Later focused on writing, producing both short stories and novels.

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Summary

• Characters: The narrator, Eva (his blind girlfriend), the narrator's father, and the mother.
• Conflict:
  • The narrator's father disapproves of Eva and believes she is unsuitable for his son.
  • Despite his father's objections, the narrator is determined to marry Eva.
• Key Events:
  • The narrator's father interferes in his son's life and decisions.
  • Eva's blindness causes societal prejudice, reflected in the father's disapproval.
  • The narrator's father is terminally ill (lung cancer) and opposes the relationship.
  • In the end, the father selflessly donates his cornea to Eva, allowing her to regain her sight before his death.
• Ending: The narrator marries Eva and recognises his father's love through this final act of kindness.

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Themes

1. Love, Kindness, and Selflessness

• The narrator's unconditional love for Eva, despite her blindness.
• The father's final act of donating his cornea reflects selfless love for his son.

2. Organ Donation

• Highlights the transformative impact of organ donation on Eva's life.

3. Parental Interference

• The father's disapproval limits the narrator's freedom to choose his own path.

4. Prejudice Against Disabilities

• Eva's blindness makes her a victim of societal and familial prejudice.

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Title Significance

• Refers to the father's ultimate act of kindness—donating his cornea to Eva—before his death.
• Symbolises love and reconciliation.

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How the Story is Told

Setting

• Primary Location: School for the blind and the narrator's home.

Structure and Plot Development

• Exposition:

• The narrator's father opposes his relationship with Eva.

• The father's interference affects the narrator's career and personal life.

• Rising Action:

• Tension between the narrator and his father escalates.

• The narrator proposes to Eva despite his father's objections.

• Climax:

• The father's death reveals his donation of a cornea to Eva.

  

• Resolution:

  • Eva regains her sight; the narrator recognises his father's love.

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Characterisation

Character	Traits
Narrator	Strong-willed, loves Eva unconditionally, impulsive.
Father	Controlling, judgemental initially, later selfless and loving (donates cornea).
Mother	Supportive of her son, protective of her husband, acts as a peacemaker.
Eva	Confident, accommodating, optimistic about receiving her sight.

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Narrative Techniques

Point of View

• First-person narration from the son's perspective.
• Creates a personal and emotional connection to the story.

Language Features

• Metaphors: Example: "I finished a little savagely"—emphasises the narrator's frustration.
• Euphemisms: Example: "About to die" softens the harshness of the father's impending death.

Tone and Mood

Tone	Mood
Frustrated	Narrator's frustration with his father's interference.
Upset	Father's disapproval saddens the narrator.
Joyful	Narrator's happiness after Eva regains her sight.
Sad	Realisation of the father's illness and eventual death.

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Key Messages

• The importance of understanding and supporting loved ones.
• Encourages selflessness through organ donation.
• Challenges societal prejudice against people with disabilities.