Applied Structuration

Analytical Essay # 30365

Anthropology > North American
Film > Analysis, Criticism, Etc.
Sociology

Explains the sociological concept of 'Structuration', using the 1998 film, "Smoke Signals".

1,894 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

Structuration is the novel concept that culture creates structure even while structure sets the parameters within which a culture can work. This paper shows that the plot of the movie "Smoke Signals", directed by Chris Eyre, gives us a perfect set of circumstances in which to demonstrate the sociological concept of structuration in action. The paper begins by explaining what exactly structuration is and then proceeds through the plot of "Smoke Signals", pointing out social interactions among the characters in the movie and explaining what it is about those social interactions that demonstrate structuration.

From the Paper:

"Now that they have set the structural parameters that they are Indian and therefore not American, it inhibits their abilities to thoroughly interact with Americans. They can't get their seats back on the bus because they cannot talk to the white people on the bus as if they are equals. There is an obvious lack of real communication because they can't see past the "whiteness" of the men, where the men can only see the "Indianness" of Victor and Thomas. As one of the men put it, "So why don't you and Super Injun over there find some other place to have a powwow, okay?" and Thomas of course complains that the cowboys always win. Thomas and Victor don't even attempt to reason with the men because they know (or believe) it would be a fruitless endeavor."