Tanti at the Oval

INTRODUCTION

Paul Keens-Douglas was born in September of 1942. Although he was born in Trinidad and Tobago, he spent his early childhood days in Grenada, where he attended Presentation Boys College. Mr. Douglas enjoyed drama from a tender age and upon his return to Trinidad and Tobago in 1974, his main focus was to highlight Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Eastern Caribbean through works of poetry, storytelling, drama and through his writing and performances. Paul Keens-Douglas is a founding member of the Association of Black Storytellers of America, and also holds the Zora Neale Hurston Award, the Caribbean American lntercultural Organisation Award, Washington, and the Beryl McBurnie Foundation for the Arts Award, Trinidad. Mr. Douglas is described as a total professional in control of his management, talent and properties and he makes regular tours of the Caribbean territories and metropolitan countries lecturing, performing and doing workshops. Presently, Paul Keens Douglas’ puts his skills to use in the Advertising Industry as a freelancer while his previous works continue to educate and entertain younger generations.

Think Piece

The piece “Tanti at the Oval” is one that captures the spirit, essence and passion of, not just “Trinbagonians”, but Caribbean people on a whole. The monologue follows Paul and his Tanti Merle from Curepe to a cricket match at the ever popular, Queen’s Park Oval. Mr Douglas, through his vivid dialect, is able to bring the story to life, making one to feel as if they were there. To me, three main factors stood out as the backbone of the dialogue; age gaps, patriotism, and cricket.

Age Gaps

The monologue is opened with Paul wearily complaining to his wife about the day he had to endure with Tanti Merle, and he is quick to stress on the fact that Tanti is sixty-five years old. He argues that Tanti did not have to come to the Oval with him, since radio, television and transistor were all available for Tanti Merle to...