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This essay explores the structure and agency dilemma through the lens of Erving Goffman’s work, arguing that individuals both reinforce and are constrained by societal structures in their everyday interactions. Using Goffman’s dramaturgical model, impression management, and the concept of face, the essay highlights how people perform roles to gain social acceptance, often at the expense of their agency. It also discusses the consequences of non-conformity, including stigma and institutionalisation, demonstrating that even those removed from mainstream society are not free from structural influence. By integrating perspectives from other sociologists like Garfinkel, Bourdieu, and Giddens, the essay ultimately positions Goffman’s work as a compelling addition to the structure and agency debate, emphasizing the inescapable interplay between the two.

Grade: First Class

Full Title Name: What is Erving Goffman’s contribution to our understanding of the struggle between agency and social structure?

Word count: 2750/3000

Degree: Sociology BA (Hons)

Module Title: Contemporary Sociological Theory