The Circle Characters

This page provides an overview of the main characters in The Circle, offering insights into their roles, relationships, and significance within the story.

Mae Holland

Mae Holland is the protagonist of The Circle. She is a young woman in her early twenties who recently graduated from Carleton University with a degree in art history, marketing, and psychology. Mae's physical description includes a wide mouth, thin lips, olive skin, black hair, brown eyes, and high cheekbones. She is described as curvier and soft-looking.

Highlight: Mae's character serves as the reader's entry point into the world of the Circle, allowing us to experience the company's allure and potential dangers through her perspective.

Annie Allerton

Annie is Mae's best friend and coworker at the Circle. She comes from a wealthy family and specializes in internal law within the company.

Definition: Internal law refers to the legal practices and regulations within a company or organization.

Eamon Bailey

Eamon Bailey is one of the founders of the Circle, known as one of the "Three Wise Men." He holds a high position (Rank 40) within the company and is the most well-known face of the Circle. Bailey plays a significant role in Mae's journey, as he secures her job at the Circle and later manipulates her.

Quote: "Eamon Bailey, one of the 'Three Wise Men' - founders of the Circle"

Tyler Alexander Gospodinov/Kalden

Kalden is another of the Circle's founders, also part of the "Three Wise Men." He develops a mysterious and sexually charged relationship with Mae. Unlike the other founders, Kalden shuns publicity and attempts to convince Mae to stop the Circle from achieving its goals.

Highlight: The duality of Kalden's character - as both a founder and a critic of the Circle - adds complexity to the narrative.

Francis Garaventa

Francis is Mae's coworker who specializes in child security. They have an affair, but Mae has issues with his bluntness and sexual problems. Their relationship becomes strained when Francis records an intimate video without Mae's consent.

Vocabulary: Bluntness - the quality of being direct in speech or behavior, sometimes to the point of being rude or insensitive.

Tom Stenton

Tom Stenton is the third member of the "Three Wise Men." He remains in the background, focusing on legal and regulatory matters for the Circle. Stenton is known for owning a translucent shark, which serves as a symbol of the company's power and transparency.

Mercer Medeiros

Mercer is Mae's ex-boyfriend. Their relationship starts friendly but deteriorates as the story progresses. He becomes increasingly critical of the Circle's impact on people's lives and tries to convince Mae of its negative influence. Tragically, Mercer commits suicide when Mae uses the Circle's resources to track him down.

Example: Mercer's fate serves as a stark example of the potential consequences of invasive technology and loss of privacy.

Other Characters

• Dan: Mae's team leader in Customer Experience (CE)
• Kevin: Mae's former boss, used as a contrast to highlight the Circle's perceived superiority
• Mae's Parents: They play an important role in Mae's life. Her father is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which leads to issues with health insurance. The Circle helps Mae by providing a medical plan for her father.

Highlight: The inclusion of Mae's parents and their health struggles adds a personal dimension to the story, showing how the Circle's influence extends beyond the workplace into personal lives.