Landay says one of the women probably, emphasis on probably, modeled her tricky performance on a Mae West character. This upstart beginning foreshadows the strength and weakness of the rest of the book. Landay chooses interesting examples, explains clearly why they are significant but fails to offer evidence for her views. Her use relies heavily on how the term is defined by Native American and African American traditions. In this light, the concept is more of an overlay than an idea fully integrated.
Duality is two complimentary parts while dichotomy is a split into two opposing divisions.
Nor does she does mention the spiritual aspect of tricksters, which is important for Native Americans. Landay is more successful in integrating this aspect of the Native American concept into her study. While not all, most of the female figures covered in the book do hold a mirror to society. Still, I challenge Euro-American scholars such as Landay to look into their own cultures, or that of their subject, to support their arguments. Using the trickster concepts from Native America would work if Landay understood the concept completely, acknowledged what she left out, and included more people of color in her study.