Mama at the Oval

From a video clip composed by Paul Keens-Douglas entitled, “ Tanti at the Oval.” The composer, Paul Keens-Douglas, a Trinidadian born poet who settled in Greneda during his childhood and early adult life before returning to Trinidad later on, puts forward a dramatic which gives an account of his cricket experience with his sixty five (65) year old Tanti from St. Lucia. The dramatic piece took place at the Queens Park Oval in Port Of Spain, Trinidad. This is evident to Tanti Merle’s statement, “Nobody starving me in Port of Spain.” The setting of this piece is a the Oval and Curepe, their hometown.

According to the Oxford Dictionaries, Social Commentary is defined as, “An expression of opinions or offering of explanations about an event or situation.” Social commentary is a thoughtful, and sometimes opinionated, response to "contemporary" events. Oftentimes it is structured around an argument or sorts and weighs the pros and cons of both sides. Other times it simply expresses an argument in favour of an opinion one way or another.

The composer usues both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication throughout his piece as he relates his experience with Tanti at the Oval. Trinidadian English Creole was used throughout the piece which proved that they were Caribbean nationals. This is evident to Paul Keens statement, “Ah know Trinidad get licks yuh shudda ask Tanti Merle bout that, she wudda tel yuh!” Tanti Merle operayed in non-verbal communicaton mainly since Paul Keens were relating his experience with her. Tanti Merle showed her anger when she ran to the field on top of the pitch roller wanting to form a delegation to go the the Prime Minister since she was dissatisfied with the results. Her verbal communication was used when she and the “bad jawn” had an altercation when she ask him to take off his hat since it was blocking her. This lead to both Tnti Merle and the “bad jawn” “cussing” each other.

Tanti Merle was racial and bias in many ways. When they were...