An Authors Biography
Eggers was 43 when ‘The Circle’ came out in 2013, meaning he was born in what year?
What is 1970
Our main character gets a job at this giant tech company, which the book is named after.
What is ‘The Circle’
This young woman becomes a rising star at the Circle after being recruited by her friend, who is higher up in the company.
Who is Mae Holland
Mae struggles between keeping her life private and sharing everything online.
What is Mae’s internal struggle with privacy
This device, placed all around the world, symbolizes the disappearance of privacy under the Circle’s control.
What are SeeChange cameras
Now living in San Francisco, Eggers was originally born in this state capital that is very close to home.
What is Boston
The Circle wants everyone to share this idea that includes everyone putting their lives online so there are “no secrets.”
What is the company’s idea of total transparency
This high-ranking Circle employee is Mae’s closest friend and the one who helps her land her job at the company.
Who is Annie Allerton?
Mae argues with Mercer over his hate of what?
What is the lack of privacy in The Circle’s technology
Mae’s growing dependence on constant feedback from viewers demonstrates this theme about identity and technology.
What is the theme of how technology shapes self-worth
Among other awards, Eggers was a finalist for this prize that is given for achievements in areas such as journalism and arts.
What is The Pulitzer Prize
This tiny camera system lets the Circle watch almost anything, anywhere.
What is SeeChange
This charismatic Circle leader champions the slogan “All that happens must be known,” pushing for radical transparency.
Who is Eamon Bailey?
People in the book worry that the Circle has too much of this, which gives them control over everyone’s information.
What is power
The constant stream of zings and notifications Mae answers throughout the novel forms this motif showing digital overload.
What is the motif of information saturation
This book by Eggers details his own experiences with death of parents and becoming a parental figure to his younger brother.
What is ‘A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius’
Kalden warns Mae about this in the main turning point of the book.
What is The Circle becoming dangerous
This ex-boyfriend of Mae’s distrusts the Circle’s technology and remains firmly rooted in his old-school ways.
Who is Mercer?
When the Circle pressures them to be completely open, what happens between Mae and her parents?
What is the conflict about privacy
Mercer’s frustration with Mae’s involvement in the Circle reflects this major conflict between individual values and societal pressure.
What is character vs. society
Co-founded this youth writing center, which inspired over 70 similar organizations worldwide.
What is ‘826 Valencia’
Mae’s live video life leads to the mobbing of a childhood friend that ends in this tragedy.
What is the death of Mercer?
This mysterious Circle figure - and his alter ego -, who are known for criticizing the company’s ambitions, reveals himself only to Mae, and later exposes the corporation’s darkest intentions.
Who are Ty Gospodinov and Kalden
Kalden tries to stop Mae from helping the Circle reach this final goal of watching everything and everyone.
What is “closing the Circle”
Eggers exaggerates the Circle’s technological reach to highlight real-world dangers, using this literary technique
What is satire