Mae’s mother Character Analysis in The Circle

Mae’s mother is proud of when she gets a job at the Circle; she’s even prouder when Mae arranges for the Circle to provide healthcare for Vinnie Holland (her husband). However, Mae’s mother quickly becomes skeptical of the Circle’s commitment to creating total transparency. When the Circle installs cameras in her house, she covers the cameras with cloth to protect her privacy. This rebellion against the Circle leads to a rift between Mae and her mother, which eventually causes them not to speak anymore at all.

Mae’s mother Character Timeline in The Circle

The timeline below shows where the character Mae’s mother appears in The Circle. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Social Networking and the Internet Theme Icon

...week at the Circle. Mae’s father used to be a building manager in Fresno, and her mother used to work at a hotel restaurant. Later, they bought a parking lot. In high... (full context)

At dinner, Mae’s mother tells Mae that she’s bragged about Mae’s salary and health insurance to her friends back... (full context)

...late at her parents’ house and they go to a diner for lunch. Mae’s father—whom her mother calls Vinnie—says that he’s feeling stiff, and he goes to recline in the car. Mae... (full context)

Mae is so wrapped up in her anger that she doesn’t notice her mother messaging her; when she looks, she sees that her mother wants her to come home.... (full context)

Totalitarianism and Indoctrination Theme Icon

...couch watching sports. As he sits on the couch, he calls for Mae to get her mother . Mae smells something bad and realizes that he’s soiled himself. Mae’s mother tells her... (full context)

Furious with her mother , Mae drives out to her favorite kayaking spot and finds that Marion’s son, Walt,... (full context)

At dinner, Mae’s mother raises a toast to Mae, thanking her for providing her father with health insurance. Mae... (full context)

Surveillance and Transparency Theme Icon

...problem with their cameras; they laugh and say, stiffly, “we’ll get them fixed right away.” Mae’s mother notes that she has received thousands of messages since Mae went transparent—far too many for... (full context)

...them. They do, and afterwards Mae says that she should get back to the Circle. Mae’s mother gives her an odd look, which Mae interprets to mean, “finally.” She also gives Mae... (full context)

...but she doesn’t see her parents. Upstairs, she walks into their bedroom, where she sees her mother holding her father’s penis in her hand. Mae turns away, but it’s too late—people around... (full context)