Strategies of Deconstruction, or the Endless Death of Theory

Abstract

This paper aims at clarifying some aspects of the relationship between deconstruction and theory and of the definition of "theory" as such. The specific quality of this relationship becomes indistinct if deconstruction is merely regarded as a method or theory and only becomes evident once considerable attention has been paid to the role of metaphor and of strategy in the text of deconstruction and to the particular ways in which these two notions are elaborated upon by Derrida. A confrontation with structuralism (unavoidably brief owing to circumstances) contributes to the attempt of presenting some distinctive traits pertaining to deconstruction with regard to "theory."

Opsomming
Hierdie artikel beoog om sekere aspekte van die verhouding tussen dekonstruksie en teorie, asook die definisie van teorie as sodanig, te belig. Die spesifieke kwaliteit van die verhouding verdwyn heeltemal indien dekonstruksie bloat as 'n teorie of 'n metode beskou word. Hierdie besondere kwaliteit word aansienlik duideliker wanneer heelwat aandag aan die rol van die metafoor en van strategie binne die dekonstruktiewe teks bestee word. Die spesifieke wyse waarop laasgenoemde twee konsepte deur Derrida verwerk word, verg ook besondere aandag. 'n Vergelyking van die konsepte met die strukturalisme (nood­wendig net kortliks weens omstandighede) dra daartoe by om sekere kenmerkende eienskappe van dekonstruksie met betrekking tot "teorie" daar te stel.