59 pages 1 hour read

Dave Eggers

The Circle

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“The best people had made the best systems and the best systems had reaped funds, unlimited funds, that made possible this, the best place to work. And it was natural that it was so, Mae thought. Who else but utopians could make utopia?”


(Book 1, Page 31)

Even though it’s only her first day, Mae has completely bought into The Circle’s idealism. Her excitement about The Circle is juxtaposed against her modest upbringing and disdain for her previous dead-end job. At The Circle, she has seemingly unlimited potential.

Quotation Mark Icon

“All that happens must be known.”


(Book 1, Page 68)

For the first time in the novel, Bailey makes The Circle’s main objective clear: to make all knowledge universally available. He paints this goal in an idealist light, arguing that full transparency will prevent atrocities. However, he neglects to consider the potential downsides of large-scale privacy invasion.

Quotation Mark Icon

“‘We will become all-seeing, all-knowing.’”


(Book 1, Page 69)

In Bailey’s claim that they will become omniscient, he is elevating technology to a godlike status. In response to this declaration, the Circlers’ thunderous applause makes it seem like they are revering a messiah.