An Analysis of 'Test Match Sabina Park' by Stewart Brown

 


The speaker in the poem is clearly a supporter of England who goes to watch a test match at Sabina Park. The poem focuses on his experience at this event. He proudly wears his white skin and expects to watch a match that he believes will display England’s superiority because the English team is well known for its dominance in cricket. They have well-known batsmen like Geoffrey Boycott and Dennis Amiss and they are present at this particular match.

However, upon entering, he notices that something is amiss. Firstly, the match does not seem exciting and, secondly, he is not used to such a crowd at a match. He is clearly used to a much mild tempered event at Lords – not one where there are packed stands and noise. The West Indian supporters are described as ‘vociferous partisans’ which means they are loud in expressing their opinions and they are ready to assert their objections/dissatisfaction if something is said that they do not support/agree with (‘quick to take offence’).

The speaker is verbally abused throughout the game and has to endure his team being criticized for their disappointing batting performance. They tell the man that England ‘kaan play cricket again’ and they possibly need to borrow Lawrence Rowe, a well-known West Indian batsman. As the game progresses with the wickets and the batting slow, the crowd becomes restless and continues the abuse. They claim that the English batsmen are putting them to sleep and imply that they have wasted money to watch “dis foolishness”. Note the use of the derogatory term “white bwoy”.

The speaker tries to defend his team by explaining the weather conditions in Kent, the monsoon season in Manchester and sticky wickets but he does not succeed. In fact, he cannot even convince himself. The relenting abuse forces him to leave the park quite embarrassed “skulking behind a blushing nationality”.

Themes

·         Patriotism

·         West Indian Identity

·         Race

·         Cultural Differences

 

·         Literary Devices

·      Contrast – His attitude was full of conceit when he enters the stadium but he leaves feeling ashamed and his pride wounded. There is also reference to the contrast between the spectators at Lords and those at Sabina Park.

·       Pun – There is a play on the words ‘boycotting’ and ‘amiss’. Geoffrey Boycott and Dennis Amiss were two well-known English batsmen who were playing during the match. Brown skilfully uses their names to indicate that their performance is falling short of the spectator’s expectations and leaving the white man to realize that something is wrong(amiss).

·  Personification – The phrase ‘blushing nationality’ is used to show the English’s supporter’s embarrassment. He is clearly ashamed of how the English team has performed.

·   Use of the Vernacular – It is used to capture the everyday speaking pattern of West Indians and highlight their disappointment with the slow pace of the game.

·       Metaphor – The expression ‘tarnished rosette/somewhat frayed’ is used to show that the man does not feel as arrogant about his white skin as before. In fact, he leaves with a deflated ego and a healthy serving of humility.

·    Irony – The man enters the stadium with an air of superiority, secure in his belief that his English nationality and complexion give him the upper hand. He clearly has high hopes for the English’s team performance because he is secure in his belief that their dominance will be put on display.  However, England’s cricket team fails to demonstrate an impressive presence on the cricket pitch and the verbal abuse he receives at the hands of the West Indian supporters is a humbling experience. He leaves the match prematurely, quite embarrassed as he is described as ‘skulking behind a tarnished rosette’ and unable to ‘conceal a blushing nationality.

Study Questions

1.      Who are the characters in the poem?

2.      Where are they?

3.      Does a conflict happen in the poem?

4.      How are literary devices used in the poem to convey meaning?

5.      What impression have you formed about the crowd?

6.      Do you think the man is deserving of the verbal abuse he received during the match? Justify your answer.

7.      Which themes does the poem explore?

 

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