The Circle: Book I (Pages 1-304)
The Circle by Dave Eggers begins with Mae Holland starting her new job at the eponymous tech giant. The company's sprawling campus serves as a microcosm of a seemingly perfect society, offering employees everything they could need or want.
Mae, initially motivated and grateful, quickly becomes overwhelmed by the intensity of her role in customer experience. The Circle's expectations extend beyond work hours, encouraging employees to maintain an active presence on the company's social media platforms and participate in numerous campus activities.
Highlight: The Circle blurs the lines between work and personal life, creating a culture where employees are expected to be constantly engaged with the company.
As Mae excels in her role, she finds herself torn between her commitment to The Circle and her obligations to her family and personal life. This conflict becomes apparent when she struggles to find time to visit her parents.
Example: Mae's hobby of kayaking becomes a point of contention when she discovers that even her leisure activities are being monitored by The Circle.
The novel takes a dramatic turn when Mae impulsively steals a kayak for a late-night excursion. This act of rebellion leads to a pivotal conversation with Bailey, one of The Circle's leaders, who convinces Mae to become part of the company's "SeeChange" transparency project.
Quote: "Secrets are lies. Sharing is caring. Privacy is theft."
This mantra encapsulates The Circle's philosophy and foreshadows the dystopian elements that begin to emerge as Mae becomes more deeply integrated into the company's vision.
Vocabulary: SeeChange - A project by The Circle that involves constant video surveillance, ostensibly to promote transparency and accountability.
As Book I concludes, Mae agrees to wear a SeeChange camera at all times, effectively broadcasting her entire life to the world. This decision marks a significant turning point in Mae's relationship with The Circle and sets the stage for the ethical dilemmas that will unfold in the remainder of the novel.
