In this short paper, I consider how far Raymond Williams’s notion of a ‘structure of feeling’ can help us understand what is involved in the transmission of affect. In particular I ask what is involved when socially-held meaning is transmitted to individuals. I look at one way that Williams’s term might be philosophically parsed, so as to bring out its usefulness. The paper is followed by short comments and discussion from five other contributors: Matt ffytche (Psychosocial Studies, Essex), Louise Gyler (Sydney, Australian Psychoanalytical Society), Shaull bar Heim (Sociology, Essex), Sarath Jakka (Institute of Cultural Inquiry, Berlin), Michael Uebel (Austin, Texas).