20-minute plan
- Skim your annotated text to flag every reference to a wise man’s action
- Sort those actions into three distinct role categories (ideology, tech, strategy)
- Write one sentence per role explaining its impact on the story’s plot
Keyword Guide · study-guide-general
The Circle: What Each of the Three Wise Men Does
US high school and college lit students often struggle to track the three wise men’s distinct roles in The Circle. This guide breaks down their specific actions and ties them to core themes. Use it to prep for class discussions, quizzes, or essay drafts.
In The Circle, each of the three wise men (founders of the company) fulfills a specialized, complementary role that drives the story’s exploration of tech power and surveillance. One oversees the company’s ideological direction, another manages its technical infrastructure, and the third shapes its public and corporate strategy. Jot down which role aligns with each character to avoid mixing them up in discussions.
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Answer Block
The three wise men are the co-founders of The Circle, each with a unique domain of control. Their roles divide the company’s core functions, creating a system of overlapping power that fuels the novel’s central conflicts. No single figure holds complete authority, but their combined decisions dictate the company’s trajectory.
Next step: Create a 3-column chart listing each wise man, their primary role, and one key action that illustrates that role.
Key Takeaways
- Each wise man controls a distinct branch of The Circle’s operations
- Their roles mirror real-world tech company leadership structures
- Their collective actions drive the novel’s themes of surveillance and monopolistic power
- Conflicts between their priorities reveal cracks in the company’s unified facade
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Map each wise man’s role to a specific scene or plot point where their influence is clear
- Connect each role to one of the novel’s core themes (surveillance, transparency, power)
- Draft a 3-paragraph mini-analysis comparing how their roles interact to advance the plot
- Create 2 discussion questions that link their roles to real-world tech issues
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Read through your class notes and text annotations to list each wise man’s stated and implied responsibilities
Output: A bulleted list of 2-3 key tasks per wise man
Action: Match each wise man’s role to one core theme of The Circle, using specific plot events as evidence
Output: A 1-page connection sheet linking roles, actions, and themes
Action: Brainstorm one claim about how the three roles work together to reinforce a central message of the novel
Output: A testable thesis statement and 2 supporting evidence points
Discussion Kit
- Which of the three wise men’s roles has the most direct impact on the novel’s protagonist?
- How do the wise men’s distinct roles create tension within The Circle’s leadership?
- In what ways do the wise men’s roles reflect modern tech company leadership structures?
- If one wise man were removed, how would that change the company’s trajectory in the novel?
- How do the wise men’s roles challenge or reinforce the novel’s critique of transparency?
- Which wise man’s role do you think is most essential to The Circle’s growth as a company?
- How do the wise men’s personal priorities influence their professional decisions?
- What does the division of roles among the three wise men reveal about the novel’s view of power?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In The Circle, the three wise men’s specialized roles (ideology, tech, strategy) create a system of interdependent power that strengthens the novel’s critique of unregulated tech monopolies.
- The conflicting priorities of The Circle’s three wise men expose the fragility of the company’s unified ideological facade, undermining its claims of seamless, ethical leadership.
Outline Skeletons
- I. Intro: Hook about tech leadership, thesis linking wise men’s roles to core theme; II. Body 1: Ideology-focused wise man’s role and impact; III. Body 2: Tech-focused wise man’s role and impact; IV. Body 3: Strategy-focused wise man’s role and impact; V. Conclusion: Tie roles together to restate thesis and connect to real world
- I. Intro: Thesis about conflicting priorities among the wise men; II. Body 1: First conflict between two wise men’s roles; III. Body 2: Second conflict revealing ideological cracks; IV. Body 3: How these conflicts shape the novel’s climax; V. Conclusion: Explain what these conflicts reveal about the novel’s message
Sentence Starters
- While the ideology-focused wise man frames The Circle’s mission as a force for good, the tech-focused wise man’s actions reveal a more pragmatic, control-oriented agenda.
- The strategy-focused wise man’s decisions often prioritize corporate growth over the ethical concerns raised by the other two founders, leading to...
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- Can I name each wise man’s primary role without hesitation?
- Do I have one specific plot event to support each role’s impact?
- Can I link each role to a core theme of The Circle?
- Have I memorized the key conflicts between the wise men’s priorities?
- Can I explain how their collective roles drive the novel’s climax?
- Do I have a real-world parallel for each wise man’s role?
- Have I practiced writing a thesis statement about their roles?
- Can I distinguish between their stated mission and their actual actions?
- Do I have notes on how their roles evolve throughout the novel?
- Can I answer a short-answer question about their roles in 3 sentences or less?
Common Mistakes
- Mixing up the wise men’s roles and attributing actions to the wrong founder
- Failing to connect their roles to the novel’s core themes, focusing only on plot details
- Treating the three wise men as a single, unified force alongside distinct characters with conflicting priorities
- Inventing specific quotes or plot details to support claims about their roles
- Overlooking the subtle ways their roles overlap and influence each other
Self-Test
- Briefly explain how the ideology-focused wise man’s role differs from the tech-focused wise man’s role
- Name one key decision made by the strategy-focused wise man that impacts the novel’s plot
- How do the three wise men’s roles work together to advance the novel’s critique of surveillance?
How-To Block
Action: Go through your copy of The Circle and highlight every scene where a wise man’s specific responsibility is mentioned or shown
Output: A color-coded text map with 2-3 highlights per wise man
Action: For each highlighted scene, write a 1-sentence note connecting the wise man’s action to one of the novel’s core themes
Output: A set of sticky notes or digital comments linking roles to themes
Action: Combine your role map and thematic notes to draft a 3-sentence argument about the wise men’s collective impact
Output: A concise, evidence-based claim ready for class discussion or essay use
Rubric Block
Role Identification
Teacher looks for: Accurate, specific differentiation between each wise man’s primary role, with no mixing of responsibilities
How to meet it: Create a flashcard for each wise man listing their core tasks and one key action, then quiz yourself daily until you can recall them instantly
Thematic Analysis
Teacher looks for: Clear links between each wise man’s role and the novel’s central themes, supported by specific plot evidence
How to meet it: Write one paragraph per wise man connecting their role to a theme, using a specific scene as evidence, and get peer feedback on clarity
Argument Development
Teacher looks for: A coherent claim about the wise men’s collective impact, with logical connections between their individual roles
How to meet it: Draft a thesis statement, then list 3 supporting evidence points, each linking one wise man’s role to the overarching claim
Role Differentiation for Class Discussion
Teachers often ask students to compare the wise men’s roles to spark conversations about tech leadership. Use this before class to avoid mixing up their responsibilities. Create a quick 3-point list of their core roles to reference during discussion.
Thematic Connections for Essay Drafts
Essays about The Circle require linking character actions to themes, not just summarizing plot. For each wise man, choose one theme and one specific action that illustrates it. Use this to build body paragraphs with clear, evidence-based claims.
Real-World Parallels for Exam Prep
Exams may ask you to connect the wise men’s roles to real tech companies. Research the leadership structure of a major tech firm and map its executives to the wise men’s roles. Write a 2-sentence comparison to memorize for test day.
Conflict Analysis for Critical Thinking
The wise men’s conflicting priorities are a key source of tension in the novel. Identify one scene where two wise men disagree about a decision. Write a 3-sentence analysis of how that disagreement reveals their differing values.
Evolution of Roles Over the Novel
The wise men’s roles shift as the novel progresses, reflecting the company’s growth and changing priorities. Track one wise man’s role from the beginning to the end of the book. Note two key changes and their impact on the plot.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The most common mistake is treating the three wise men as a single, unified group. Remember, each has distinct goals and methods. Create a cheat sheet listing their unique traits to reference when writing or studying.
Are the three wise men based on real people?
The novel does not explicitly state that the three wise men are based on real individuals, but their roles mirror common leadership structures in large tech companies. Focus your analysis on their fictional actions and thematic purpose, not real-world comparisons.
Do the three wise men have names in The Circle?
The novel identifies each wise man by their role and public persona rather than distinct personal names in most scenes. Refer to them by their core responsibilities (ideology, tech, strategy) to avoid confusion in discussions or writing.
How do the three wise men’s roles affect the protagonist?
Each wise man interacts with the protagonist in a way that reflects their core role. The ideology-focused wise man shapes her understanding of the company’s mission, while the tech-focused wise man controls access to the tools she uses daily. The strategy-focused wise man influences her career trajectory within the company.
Can I write an essay focusing only on one of the three wise men?
Yes, but you should still reference the other two to provide context for the chosen character’s role. Explain how their priorities differ from the other founders and how that conflict drives the character’s actions. This will add depth to your analysis.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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