Tanti Merle at D Oval

This paper examines a playwright, “Tanti at de Oval”, written by Paul Keens-Douglas. Paul Keens-Douglas is a Trinidadian born writer, playwright and performer. However, he spent most of his childhood in Grenada where he attended Presentation Boys College. A self-published author, he has to his credit seven volumes of work, three videos and twelve albums. His stories are presented in engaging colloquial language, vivid imagery and relatable tales. His awards include the Humming Bird Silver for Culture, and the Zora Neale Hurston Award.

“Tanti at de Oval” is written in first person as the narrator illustrates the task of carrying his aunt, Tanti Merle to a cricket game at the oval. Her large basket of goodies, choice of maxi and her pink parasol all effectively incorporate her antics for this trip to the oval. Instead of being able to enjoy the game of cricket, the narrator is now forced to endure the loud Tanti Merle. Elements of Caribbean Life illustrated in “Tanti at de Oval” include the importance of cricket, the rivalry promoted by sports, the dialectal language and the impact of technology.

The story is also centred on the famous “tie” match between Trinidad and Tobago and The Combined Islands. In the 60’s and 70’s, especially in the Caribbean, the rage and temper of the oppressed people were highlighted. Blacks were still disregarded as people. Black power was on the rise in the United States of America so naturally it intrigued West Indians. Caribbean History has been a long struggle against the forces which oppressed and disregarded us. Cricket was therefore seen as a form of colonialism. Remnants of slave ancestry were now trying to surpass in something the English “masters” introduced. Cricket sent a message to the “white world”, trying to defeat racism on a level playing field.

In 1953, the Indian cricket team toured the West Indies for the first time. There was an unexpected great deal of support for the Indian team amongst the Indian Guyanese and...