Symbolism
Cricket
X game (“serious business”) imported in colonies from British Empire
To British: demonstrate British superiority (cultural dominance)
To colonized: unify the diverse people in Caribbean against Britain, for nationhood, freedom and independence show that they are as powerful as, or even better than the British (“Cricket in the Caribbean is in the blood)
Church
The Baptist church
Christianity
religious and cultural dominance by British Empire
Risen Lord rebirth of Jesus rebirth of West Indies+ victory of West Indies team
Theme
West Indies' efforts to challenge the cultural dominance by Britain and preserve local culture
West Indies unify to win the cricket match e.g. “Despite all dis doah, we still can't lose we pride so much as to mek Englan beat we”
The narrator openly criticizes the boredom of church and preacher (which symbolize Britain) e.g. “de man (the preacher) is barely literate” e.g. “But Bredda Kell (the preacher), im talk like im constipated” e.g. “im resort to sleep. Im head was back pon de bench an im mout wide open” e.g. “listen to some sleepy borin member who lackin in any kine of inspiration”
Bredda B sleeps loudly in the church (insult Christianity) e.g. “Bredda B let out a loud half cut off snore”
The narrator refuses to join the church's membership
The narrator enjoys thinking and speaking freely, which is opposite to the “conservative” church e.g. “have a real progressive an spiritual discussion about every subjec under de sun wedda dem was drinkin a likkle rum or smokin some good bush”
They believe that West Indies team will win in the cricket match e.g. the match “look like a record breakin opining paatnership an a winnin West Indies team” e.g. Bredda jerry: “Out? Out? Nooooo...Not out, never out. We have a openin bat d at never out.”
British dominance and superiority under colonialism the British are always blessed, superior and live more comfortably, as