Postmodern theory was immensely unpopular when it first arose in the 1980s.

Postmodern theory was initially met with criticism and rejection from many scholars and intellectuals who found it difficult to understand or accept its concepts and perspectives. It challenged many established ideas and discourses in fields such as art, literature, philosophy, and social sciences, and was seen as threatening or subversive to traditional forms of knowledge and authority. However, postmodern theory has since gained significant influence and recognition in various intellectual and cultural domains, and has become a major field of inquiry and debate in academic circles.