Values and Truth in Postmodernism

Abstract

Modern literary theories such as structuralism, post-structuralism, deconstruction, semiotics, postmodernism, feminism and postcolonialism have already established themselves as a separate branch of the academic study of literature. It functions culturally and historically as a form of writing and knowledge. Any theory takes new interpretations because of the variable nature and importance of the context of the reader in terms of history, gender, class, etc. Nowadays, the theories are being practised as if they were unproblematic, quite natural, and worthy of being allowed as aspects of literature and literary study. The terms and categories it employs and its activities associated with the study of literature formulate reading into criticism, and need to be interrogated and constantly reassessed. Many think that these theories should not be allowed to stand unchallenged because they impede the traditional values of thinking and define truth from the point of relativism.