Tiefensee contends that Kroetsch and his critics have, to some degree, misunderstood the implications of Derrida's "deconstruction" and adhere to a Bloomian "misreading" which is firmly grounded in traditional philosophy. She addresses the metaphysical presuppositions that govern Kroetsch's criticism, literary theory, and novels and considers the extent to which his theoretical pronouncements have determined his critics' readings of his work, concluding that Kroetsch reaffirms the very values, conventions, and attitudes he claims to resist.

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"The Old Dualities" is a welcome corrective and thoughtful exploration of the critical discussion of Kroetsch's work and, by implication, the prevailing critical discourse in Canadian post-modernism. "This is a consistently illuminating, forceful, and even brave book which summons Canadian post-modernists - both writers and readers - to a new, much-needed level of theoretical rigour. Tiefensee goes against the grain of some of the country's most influential critics, but she has done so in a way that is unrelentingly clear-minded and precise." David L. Clark, Department of English, McMaster University. "'The Old Dualities' offers a concise and lucid explanation of Derrida's thoughts on language and writing, and it provides insightful and careful readings of the work of Kroetsch and his critics." Sylvia Söderlind, Department of English, Queen's University.

"The Old Dualities" is a welcome corrective and thoughtful exploration of the critical discussion of Kroetsch's work and, by implication, the prevailing critical discourse in Canadian post-modernism.
"This is a consistently illuminating, forceful, and even brave book which summons Canadian post-modernists - both writers and readers - to a new, much-needed level of theoretical rigour. Tiefensee goes against the grain of some of the country's most influential critics, but she has done so in a way that is unrelentingly clear-minded and precise." David L. Clark, Department of English, McMaster University.
"'The Old Dualities' offers a concise and lucid explanation of Derrida's thoughts on language and writing, and it provides insightful and careful readings of the work of Kroetsch and his critics." Sylvia Söderlind, Department of English, Queen's University.