Think Piece 2014

Tutor: Dr. Gittens

Name: Tisha Celeste Sylvan

ID #: 814003039

Tanti at the Oval is an exciting oration by the Trinidadian born author, storyteller and humorist Paul Keens-Douglas that tells the story of Tanti Merle, and the famous Trinidad and Tobago versus Combined Islands cricket match. During my study if thus artistic piece, it was discovered that it chronicles Tanti Merle’s preparation for and journey to the match. In addition, it portraits the antics displayed when the characters arrived at the venue and throughout the game. The dynamics of this scene also tells many sub-stories of the Caribbean and its culture and to some extent its people. Douglas used his artistic license in the creation of Tanti merle’s character making her a person that people, especially of Caribbean orientation, can relate to. Tanti’s Character kept the audience engaged. It helped to tell the story of the cricket match while showing a plethora of issues observed many of which are still relevant to Caribbean society today. These include the importance of cricket to the Caribbean society, Caribbean Pride and Patriotism, the cultural custom of the preparation of food, the generational gap and to some extent the issues of a male dominated society. In this essay I seek to explore a handful of the many issues apparent in this piece such as the effects cricket has had on the Caribbean its people and its culture, the issue of gender roles, ageism and the age gap, and the expression of Caribbean culture through storytelling.

Although my research on the history of cricket in the Caribbean has proven to be limited, and the exact date that cricket was first played in the Caribbean is unknown. The impacts of this valuable sport on the people and society can be seen clearly even today. The effects cricket has had on the Caribbean can be clearly demonstrated by the way West Indians treat the game. Cricket has been a unifying force for Caribbean people better than any other attempt in the...