In the landscape of twentieth-century critical theory, Jacques Derrida's contributions stand as both groundbreaking and contentious. The publication of Writing and Difference in 1967 marked the beginning of his exploration into the structures underlying traditional thematic criticism. This work set the stage for a subsequent series of influential texts, including Positions, La Dissemination (Dissemination), and Marges de la philosophie (Margins of Philosophy), which further developed his deconstructive approach.

Derrida's project fundamentally challenges the notion that a work's value is inherently tied to its theme. In Dissemination, he critiques traditional criticism for reducing a text to merely its "signified theme," arguing instead for a richer, more complex understanding of textual meaning. By questioning these assumptions, Derrida spearheaded a movement that expanded the boundaries of literary criticism, influencing fields as varied as law, theology, and feminism.

Central to Derrida's philosophy is his concept of differance, a term that eludes simple definition but suggests a deferral and disruption of meaning. This approach critiques the metaphysics of presence, the idea that texts are fixed, stable objects with inherent meaning. Instead, Derrida proposes that texts are the result of differance, a play of differences that never fully resolves into stable interpretation. This has led some, particularly Marxist critics like Terry Eagleton, to accuse Derrida of being ahistorical. Nonetheless, Derrida has remained committed to integrating deconstruction with history, even advocating for traditional philosophy to remain part of high school curricula in France.

Despite its influential role in dismantling established norms, deconstruction has faced criticism for its perceived conservatism. John Ellis, in his essay "What Does Deconstruction Contribute to Theory of Criticism?", argues that deconstruction destabilizes existing concepts without offering clear alternatives. This critique underscores a tension within deconstruction: its ability to subvert without reconstructing.

Furthermore, the idea of differance, where presence becomes a mere trace, has itself been viewed as a form of transcendental signification. This notion parallels certain concepts in Indian aesthetics, such as pashyanti, where language transcends ordinary understanding to reveal a unity of sound and meaning. At this transcendental level, one experiences the sphota, a holistic grasp of meaning akin to an artistic or spiritual insight. Yet, this transcendental consciousness sits uneasily with the deconstructive impulse, which often seeks to question the very foundations of consciousness itself.

In sum, Derrida's work has significantly reshaped critical theory, challenging conventional notions of meaning and interpretation. While his ideas have sparked considerable debate and critique, they have undeniably opened new pathways for understanding texts, encouraging a broader, more dynamic engagement with language and literature.