The Circle by Kaitlyn Connolly https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject By: Dave Eggers en-us 2017-04-05 12:11:25 UTC 2024-11-18 19:48:31 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png April 4 - Book Picture 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/164851233 I have the book ; all is well]]> 2017-04-05 12:26:29 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/164851233 April 5th - Reading Log 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/164851463 Theme Words:
  • Vassals
  • Conspiratorial
  • Utopian
The theme of The Circle seems to be that modernization comes at a cost. We are “vassals” to our technology, falsely assuming we are free.  We turn our backs to the “conspiratorial” evils that oversee us to indulge in this “utopian” ideal. Technological advancements may just be setting us back in the end. 
]]> 2017-04-05 12:27:27 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/164851463 April 7 - Reading Log 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/165401044 Progress: 172 out of 491 pages complete
Questions/Comments/Concerns: I have become rather fond of Egger's writing style. It is engaging yet not overtly challenging to understand. So far I am enjoying the book. ]]> 2017-04-07 14:37:21 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/165401044 April 11 - Reading Log 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/166081169 Text: "And so how was this possible, that this scattershot and ridiculous person, who still carried a piece of her childhood blanket around in her pocket, had risen so quickly and high through the circle?"
Connection to Exposition: Mae and Annie have a depth to their relationship that is pertinent to the character's success. Annie (described by Mae in the text above) has known Mae since childhood and guaranteed her a position at the top company in the country: The Circle. 
Images Connection: This is my interpretation of The Circle- the story's setting. The Circle adapts the technology in this picture and ups it to levels not yet achieved by our society. 
Image:

]]> 2017-04-12 14:10:48 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/166081169 April 20 - Reading Log 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/167274085 Style: The Circle is written with contemporary language. For a piece that is centered around communication and digital life, the style is appropriately colloquial.
Image Connection: At times, it is difficult to believe that I'm not reading the script of a youtube video. The dialogue is undeniably modern.  I included a snapshot of the "Lies Youtubers Tell" video because the text is just another lie youtubers tell
Text: "Hey everyone. Sorry, I can't be there with you all. I've been working on some very interesting new projects that are keeping me away from incredible social activities like the one you're enjoying. But I did want to congratulate you all on this phenomenal new development. I think it's a crucial new step for the Circle and will mean a great deal to our overall awesomeness." ]]> 2017-04-20 14:30:54 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/167274085 April 20th - Reading Log 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/167396669 Tone: The Circle is written in third-person. Though you see the world through Mae's eyes, there are moments when the camera pans out. In these moments you realize how misguided Mae's perspective really is. Readers know more about the world than Mae herself does, and that creates a deeply ironic tone throughout the novel as a whole. 
Image Connection: The description reminds me of the sarcastic e-cards, This card in particular showcases how I feel about Mae. She sees only the surface level and doesn't know why. ]]> 2017-04-21 00:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/167396669 May 1st - Reading Log / Macbeth Connection 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/169160279 Similar Theme: Ambition and Temptation
Connection: The Circle demands transparency in all things. With slogans such as "SECRETS ARE LIES" and "PRIVACY IS THEFT", the company abolishes anonymity. Mae quickly realizes her job is but a competition of limpidity. Tempted by the popularity and paygrade, our main character rushes to her demise sacrificing privacy and private restroom breaks for the next reward. ]]> 2017-05-01 13:25:54 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/169160279 Revenge of the 5th - Reading Log 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/170188038 The development of both Mae and Macbeth's character are very similar. While no one in the Circle is notably corrupt or evil, Mae parallels Macbeth's changes. Mae is a quick study who rapidly rises in the ranks at the Circle, just as Macbeth rises to power. As she gets sucked into the cult of the Circle, she loses her identity and outside relationships and becomes more and more like a robot. SImarly, Macbeth loses what good was left in his heart and becomes a machine

]]> 2017-05-05 14:19:42 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/170188038 ABSENT - Book Review 4801770531 https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/172064057 The Circle by Dave Eggers is unusual - emphasis on the negative connotation. The writing is not engaging, the plot is predictable and the characters are cookie-cutter. Which makes a recommendation difficult to give.

The Circle is a carbon copy of the average young adult plotline: a relatively isolated young female protagonist rises to the top of a popular entity that lo and behold is corrupt at its core. The female is unaware of the severity of this corruption until thrown into the spotlight. Mae, a young woman who lives in a small quiet town, gets a flashy new job at the leading social business in the world. The Circle has the public in its clutches and sweet Mae is swept up in the excitement of being noticed. She becomes transparent and suddenly realizes that The Circle’s officials hide too much to do the same. Shocker. If you want to get the gist of the “tech is dangerous” theme, go and see the movie.

]]> 2017-05-16 12:20:56 UTC https://padlet.com/4801770531/thecircleproject/wish/172064057