Symbols The Killing Stones Ann Cleeves

The Ba' Game: A Symbol of Community and Chaos in The Killing Stones

Introduction

In Ann Cleeves' The Killing Stones, the Ba' Game—a traditional Orkney street football match—serves as a concrete symbol that encapsulates the central tensions of the novel. More than a mere local custom, the Ba' becomes a ritual of community unity and a crucible for the final confrontation. It represents both belonging and chaos, reflecting the characters' struggles with grief, loss, and the hidden fractures beneath the surface of island life. This analysis explores what the Ba' Game is, where it recurs in the story, how its meaning evolves, and its connections to key characters and themes. It also provides four study questions with answers to deepen understanding.

What Is the Ba' Game?

The Ba' Game is a centuries-old Kirkwall tradition played on Christmas Day. It is a chaotic, ruleless street football match between two teams—the "uppies" and the "doonies"—who battle to carry a leather ball (the "ba'") to their respective goals. The game is described as "a giant rugby scrum with no rules," a spectacle of strength, speed, and endurance. In the novel, the boys' game takes place in the morning, followed by the men's game in the afternoon. The throw-up ceremony, where the ba' is tossed into the crowd, marks its start. The game draws large crowds, and islanders from Westray and other outer islands travel to Kirkwall to watch, especially this year because of the murder of Archie Stout.

Where the Ba' Game Recurs

The Ba' Game appears at crucial moments in the narrative:

  • Chapter Thirty-Six: The day of the Ba' Game dawns. Willow, Perez, and their son James attend the boys' game. Vaila Stout is present to support her son Lawrie, who is playing in his last year as a boy before moving to the men's game. The throw-up is performed by Miles, George Riley's partner, as a tribute to George's role in recording the tradition. Willow observes the crowd, noting the presence of various characters including Godfrey Lansdown, Nat Wilkinson, and Annie and Bill MacBride. Vaila confides that Archie won the Ba' when he was a lad, and Lawrie is determined to play for his father.

  • Chapter Thirty-Seven: During the boys' game, James becomes separated from his parents, causing panic. Perez and Willow search frantically through the crowd. Lawrie is seen snatching the ba' from an uppie player and charging toward the harbour, demonstrating his strength and speed. The narrative focuses on the chaos and danger of the scrum.

  • Chapter Forty: After the investigation concludes, Willow sits in the Old Manse with James, who is excited after watching Lawrie win the Ba' game. She reflects on the difficulty of explaining the murders to her son. The game's outcome—Lawrie's victory—is tied to his confession and the revelation of his guilt.

  • Chapter Forty-Three: Perez returns home, and James talks excitedly about Lawrie and Miles' magic tricks, referencing the earlier events of the Ba' day.

Thus, the game recurs as a framing device: it opens the investigative climax and closes with the aftermath of the revelations.

How the Meaning of the Ba' Game Changes

Initially, the Ba' Game symbolises community unity and shared tradition. It draws people together across the islands, offering a sense of continuity and belonging. Willow reflects that it is "a celebration of strength and speed, not only of tradition." For Vaila and Lawrie, participating in the game is an act of honouring Archie's memory—Archie won the Ba' in his youth, and Lawrie sees his own participation as a tribute. The ritual provides comfort in grief, as Rosalie Greeman notes: "Sometimes the ritual matters. It helps."

However, as the investigation deepens, the game transforms into a symbol of chaos and hidden danger. The massive, uncontrolled scrum mirrors the invisible violence and secrets within the community. James' disappearance during the game underscores the risk that lurks beneath the festive surface. The game becomes a crucible where the killer—Lawrie—is both celebrated and exposed. By the end, the Ba' represents the fragile duality of island life: the same tradition that unites the community also provides cover for deception and brutality.

Character Connections

Lawrie Stout

Lawrie's participation in the Ba' is central to his arc. He plays "for his father," seeking to prove himself as Archie's son. Yet his aggressive play—snatching the ba' and charging through the crowd—mirrors the violence he has already committed. The game offers him a brief moment of glory (he wins), but this triumph is immediately undercut by his confession to three murders. The Ba' becomes a stage for his desperate need for approval and his inability to handle rejection.

Vaila Stout

Vaila attends the game despite her grief, supporting Lawrie as he plays for Archie. She is described as "wrecked" and struggles with the crowd's pity and curiosity. The game forces her to confront her son's actions and her own blindness. Later, she must accept that Lawrie is both the winner of the Ba' and a murderer, a jarring contrast that deepens her tragedy.

Willow Reeves Perez

Willow observes the game with a detective's eye. She notes the presence of various suspects and witnesses, and she uses the day to gather information. Her personal terror when James goes missing highlights the conflict between her professional duties and her maternal instincts. The game forces her to rely on Perez and trust the community's ritual, even as she senses its dangers.

Jimmy Perez

Perez is torn between his role as a detective and his personal connections. During the game, he is focused on the investigation, which leads to James' temporary loss. He later admits he was "obsessed with this case" and regrets not keeping James closer. The Ba' exposes his vulnerability and his need to balance duty with family.

Theme Connections

  • Grief and Loss: The Ba' provides a ritualised outlet for communal mourning. Vaila and Lawrie channel their grief into the game, but their participation cannot erase the underlying pain. The game's festive atmosphere contrasts sharply with the emotional devastation of the Stout family.

  • Island Community and Isolation: The Ba' draws the community together, yet it also highlights the isolation of individuals like Vaila, who stands in a "space" left by those who avoid her. The game exposes the superficial unity of the islanders, who are quick to gossip but slow to offer genuine support.

  • Justice and Revenge: The decision to delay arrest until after the Ba' reflects the tension between justice and tradition. Perez and Willow agree to "let the Ba' run its course" before taking action. This postponement allows the ritual to proceed but risks allowing the killer to escape or harm others.

  • Secrets and Lies: The Ba' serves as a backdrop for the revelation of Lawrie's crimes. The chaotic game conceals his guilt just as the festive crowds hide his true nature. The narrative suggests that even beloved traditions can mask deep moral rot.

  • Legacy and Reputation: Archie's legacy as a Ba' winner shapes Lawrie's identity. Lawrie seeks to emulate his father's athletic success, but his violent acts tarnish the family name. The game becomes a test of whether Lawrie can live up to his father's reputation—a test he fails spectacularly.

Four Study Questions with Answers

1. How does the Ba' Game function as a symbol of community unity in the novel?

The Ba' Game brings together people from across Orkney, including islanders from Westray who travel by creel boat specifically to show support for Archie's family. The throw-up ceremony, performed by Miles Riley in tribute to his partner George, underscores the game's role as a shared ritual that transcends personal grief. Characters like Godfrey Lansdown, who normally avoids crowds, attend because he now "feels the need to experience life to the full." The game provides a structured moment for the community to gather, honour the dead, and reaffirm their bonds—even as those bonds are strained by murder.

2. In what ways does Lawrie's participation in the Ba' reflect his psychological state?

Lawrie's aggressive play—he "snatched the ba' back" and "charged in the opposite direction" with "head down"—mirrors his violent actions off the field. He plays for his father, seeking approval and validation, just as he sought his father's acceptance before murdering him. The scrum's chaos and anonymity allow him to act without being seen, paralleling his ability to hide his crimes. His victory in the boys' game gives him a fleeting sense of power, but his subsequent confession reveals that this power is built on a foundation of resentment and entitlement.

3. How does the Ba' Game contrast with the theme of isolation in the novel?

While the Ba' Game is a public, noisy spectacle that fills the streets of Kirkwall, many key characters experience profound isolation within the crowd. Vaila stands in a "space" created by others avoiding her because of her association with tragedy. Willow feels trapped by the noise and the mass of people. The Stout family, despite being surrounded, are emotionally alone in their grief. The game's collective energy highlights the loneliness of those who are set apart by suspicion, guilt, or trauma.

4. Why do Perez and Willow decide to postpone arresting the killer until after the Ba' Game?

They believe that no one else is in immediate danger and that confronting the killer during the game would cause chaos and put innocent people at risk. The decision also reflects their respect for the tradition and their desire to gather proof before acting. As Willow notes, they agree to "watch and wait and let the Ba' run its course." This postponement allows the ritual to reach its natural conclusion, but it also creates a tense dramatic irony: the killer is celebrated as a hero while the detectives prepare to arrest him.

Conclusion

The Ba' Game in The Killing Stones is a richly layered symbol that captures the novel's central themes. It represents the vitality and danger of community life, the tension between tradition and justice, and the hidden violence that festers beneath a seemingly harmonious surface. By weaving this real-world Orkney tradition into the plot, Ann Cleeves uses the Ba' to illuminate the characters' struggles with grief, legacy, and moral blindness. The game is both a crucible and a mirror, reflecting the best and worst of island society. For readers, understanding the Ba' Game deepens appreciation of how rituals can both heal and conceal—and how the most chaotic moments can bring the truth to light.