It was not until after 1600 that a more independent English colonial discourse began to emerge. Although Mackenthun is careful to nuance such apparently rash acceptance of theory, it is unlikely that this and similar arguments will be widely accepted. Often they seem to derive from a theoretical framework that does not always appear consistent. Mackenthun's central preoccupation is what might be called the dangers of textolatry. Texts, she frequently reminds us, are selective and incomplete.
All representation is distorted.
The challenge, she argues, is to overcome the conflict between the text taken at face value and the text as cultural construct. Many readers will interpret this as an implicit offer to provide such a metatheoretical guideline, but Mackenthun is reluctant to address the problem. But the reader will inevitably wonder how the parameters are being drawn and how far speculation may go. 5 Fernando Cervantes University of Bristol Content in the History Cooperative database is intended for personal, noncommercial use only. You may not reproduce, publish, distribute, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale of, modify, create derivative works from, display, or in any way exploit the History Cooperative database in whole or in part without the written permission of the copyright holder.