This ground-breaking text begins with the premise that postmodernism, poststructuralism, postcolonialism, and Marxism continue to present certain problems with the self/other distinction. It goes on to offer the first extended critique of the work of Gayatri Spivak; challenge the critical reception of Adorno in the American academy; examine Said's connection to Adorno; and make the first extended use of Adorno's "negative dialectics" in the context of postcolonial theory. Varadharajan attempts to reformulate the agenda of postcolonialism and to establish much needed ground for the evaluation of specific critical positions and practices occasioned by its discourse. Her daring interpretative moves and highly nuanced readings of complex issues in Marxist and poststructuralist theory should be of interest to those contemplating relations between feminism, post-colonialism, Marxism and deconstruction.