Interpretation Of Foucault Relations

"Discourse" is a very important concept in Foucault thought. His discourse theory has exerted an important influence at home and abroad. In Words and Things—An Archaeology of the Human Sciences, Foucault convey his concept of discourse from exploring "words" and "things". Foucault analyzes four knowledge type of western culture, explains the relationship changes between "words" and "things" in the different historical period. At the same time Foucault explains that as the relationship changes between both of them, people will no longer keep a principle in understanding the discourse. Foucault combed the western culture and knowledge history carefully, and analysis "words" and" things" uniquely. Then his discourse theory was born.This paper analyzes the theory origin and historical context, interprets the discourse theory and expounds the significance and influence. Meanwhile, this paper puts forward the new problems—the tendencies of "words" and "things" in the modern era. And the tendencies will what impact on literature, society and epistemology.