Examines role played by the figure of 'the Jew' (or 'Jews') in critical theory. Assesses role played by Jewish 'giants' in shaping critical theory. Explores role played by images of Jews and Jewishness in linguistic turn of 20th century theory. Asks how should one understand contemporary theory in relation to 'Jews'—literal Jews and figurative Jews, whether demise of these intellectual giants and diminishing interest in 'Jews' and 'Jewishness' means 'the end of theory', and how to conceive the relations between theory and 'Jewish Studies' in light of these questions.