Additional Characters and Their Significance

This page continues to introduce important characters in "The Circle" and their relationships to the protagonist, Mae Holland.

Mercer Medeiros is Mae's ex-boyfriend. Their relationship begins amicably but changes dramatically as the story unfolds. Mercer attempts to convince Mae that the Circle has a negative impact on people's lives, particularly in how they communicate. As Mae becomes more deeply involved with the Circle, Mercer tries to break off contact. The situation escalates when Mae uses the Circle's resources to track him down, ultimately leading to his suicide.

Highlight: Mercer's character arc serves as a stark contrast to Mae's, highlighting the potential dangers of the Circle's pervasive technology.

Kalden is a mysterious man who attracts Mae's attention. It is later revealed that Kalden is actually Ty's alias, adding a layer of intrigue to the story.

Francis Garaventa works at the Circle and is concerned about child security. He has an affair with Mae but records their intimate moments without her consent, causing Mae to feel repulsed.

Example: The incident with Francis illustrates the novel's themes of privacy invasion and consent in the digital age.

Other notable characters include:

• Kevin: Mae's former boss, used to contrast her old job with life at the Circle.
• Julian Assange: The real-life activist and founder of WikiLeaks is referenced, drawing parallels to the themes of information disclosure in the novel.
• Dr. Villalobos: Mae's doctor, who embraces being on camera and shares Mae's medical information with her livestream viewers.
• Senator Williamson: A character who wants to break up the Circle, representing opposition to the company's growing power.

Definition: Livestream - A real-time broadcast of video content over the internet, used in the novel as a tool for constant surveillance and sharing of personal information.

These characters collectively contribute to the novel's exploration of themes such as privacy, technology, and the boundaries between personal and public life in the digital age.