The main lack of these theories is that these are derived solely from their own (Western) world and history and value systems (256). Katrak also finds it alarming that certain theoretical models aims to prove the value of postcolonial literature with the help of European models and by imposing European modes while other models blame the difficulty of Western theory for not being able to interpret postcolonial texts. Katrak lists other traps and threats as well, e. g. the questioning of the canon, the approriation of postcolonial texts, the false interpretations of the texts as "acts of language". These all result in asserting unconsciously an intellectual and political domination and in this power structure - though theorists oppose the very idea - the Western culture is the dominant one.
The role of postcolonial women writers - according to Katrak - is to decolonize culture. She uses Fanon's concept about the violent nature of decolonization and claims that the standard use of the English language is violated in this process which seems to counterbalance "the cultural and economic violence perpetrated by the colonizer" (256).
Katrak continues with enumarating the themes and content of women writers". They often use oral traditions and their writings are shaped according to their class backgrounds, levels of education, political awareness and commitment. The two recurring themes of these texts are connected with their oppression and these are patriarchy and "a worsened predicament within a capitalist economic system introduced by the colonizers" (257). Patriarchy, which preceded and continues after colonialism, involves concepts like womanhood, motherhood, and traditions such as dowry and polygamy. These writers deal with the roles of females in society: the burdens imposed on them by colonialism, the rise of prostitution, women's marginal role in politics.
In the second part of the text, Katrak deals with "The Sistren Collective".
