The Circle Post #2

The very basis of intimacy in our lives is so often privacy. A moment alone with a close friend or partner can lead to intimate conversation, and the interruption of such event can be awkward, annoying, or embarrassing. However, as technology is moving forward, we are less often alone with just another person. Even when we are with our boy friends or best friends, a phone often interrupts and stands in the way of complete privacy. It’s not that intimacy is impossible in a public environment, it just takes a person who really does not care what the world thinks about them to truly be honest when there are others around.

At this point in The Circle, Mae still values her privacy in intimate matters, which is why she gets so upset when Francis uses her as the example for the program LuvLuv. As she watches Francis reveal just the fact that there is any intimacy between the two, she becomes embarrassed and furious. At the time, “Her face was in her hands, her eyes peeking from under her trembling fingers,” and Mae could barely process the fact that Francis was revealing so much about herself in the context of his love interest (122). When the two interact following this event, Francis says, “I’m sorry…Mae. Sorry. I don’t understand why you’re so mad,” because at that point, Francis does not himself value privacy in intimacy (125). Mae doesn’t quite understand why she’s so mad either. All of the information that was shared with the public is observable if one were to look through her social media accounts, and it didn’t bother her that anyone knew she was allergic to horses. After considering why she might be so angry, she finally realizes that LuvLuv just presented all of her preferences as just a mirror, but it wasn’t a complete picture of herself. She was more than just her taste in food and her hobbies, but LuvLuv did not present herself as such. Essentially, with taking all the privacy and personality out of learning about a prospective romantic interest, all of the intimacy was removed. This created a relationship where there were no secrets that were just held by the two people who were dating.

As the book continues, Mae meets another man, Kalden, who she develops a much more intimate relationship very quickly. Although the two do not know much about each other, the secrecy behind their interactions creates intimacy. When remembering the events that happened in the dark, “she could think of little else,” other than Kalden (170). The privacy she had in her interactions with Kalden create a fiery bond. Later in the book, this privacy and secrecy continues, and their romantic encounters are always much more intense and intimate than any of the less private interactions she has with Francis. Overall, intimacy seems to be based on privacy, and Mae is aware of this, but not consciously. Even in non-romantic encounters like those with her family, Mae also has a more intimate relationship when the interaction is private. It appears that only when you are alone can you truly act as yourself.

One thought on “The Circle Post #2”

  1. I couldn’t agree more with your analysis of intimacy and privacy. Your inclusion of vital details make your argument much stronger, such as that Francis revealed their intimacy at the LuvLuv presentation, and how how devastated Mae was from this. One thing that you picked up on that I missed was how unfazed Francis was by this. It never occurred to me that he had become so used to the public aspect of personal information that he was now immune to it. I had just figured that he wasn’t thinking when he allowed spoke about her personal information, but your explanation makes a lot more sense. Further, your analysis of Kalden and Mae’s relationship is spot on. Their relationship becomes so special because it is private and intimate, unlike all else in their lives! You brought up many great points that never even occurred to me! Well done!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *