Tanti Merle at the Oval

This paper will focus on ‘Tanti Merle at the Oval’. This piece is narrated by Paul Keens-Douglas, a Trinidadian playwright, writer and performer, before, what appears to be, a live audience. The audio details a young man explaining to his wife, his interesting experience of having his mother-in-law, ‘Tanti Merle’, accompany him to a popular cricket match at the Queens Park Oval. He speaks of the unique interactions Tanti Merle encounters with different people on their journey. Tanti Merle compact with her boisterous demeanor, ensures that her exudes her presence in every situation she enters. In this study, issues such as gender, age differences, life in Trinidad and the Caribbean by extent, family and cricket are explored.

The name ‘Tanti’, originated from the East Indian culture, in a Caribbean context, refers to a full respectable woman in society, more commonly in village life settings and is not specifically referred to blood relatives. Older women in society who are well known and loved in communities are often regarded as ‘Tanti’. It is a trend that is common in many arears within Trinidad and Tobago. Tanti Merle, in this narrative, is the epitome of the average Trinidadian woman. It is exuded from her full figured shape, dominating attitude, uniqueness and individuality among others. For some, her outlook and conduct would appear to be outstanding and even comical, however, she is functioning in a way that is known to some traditional Caribbean women operate. Her manner does not conform to what some would consider to be ‘societal norms’.

Having routes in St Vincent, Tanti Merle is a genuine Caribbean woman. Celebrating her 65th birthday, she would have a vast historical knowledge of her society and the major changes that took place in the Caribbean during her time. The cricket match was between Trinidad and Combined Islands and Tanti Merle was a candid fan of Combined Islands. Tanti Merle’s preparation and experience of the entire event was opposed to...