Circle of Friends

by Maeve Binchy

Start Free Trial

Characters

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Circle of Friends revolves around the intertwined lives of four pivotal characters: Benny Hogan, Eve Malone, Nan Mahon, and Jack Foley. Among them, the narrative immerses most deeply into Benny’s journey. Emerging from a sheltered upbringing, Benny's yearning for liberation intensifies as she embarks on her university journey. Her parents' insistence that she commute daily from Knockglen to Dublin frustrates her, as she longs to immerse herself in Dublin’s vibrant social scene with her friends, which she must forsake to return home each evening.

The first day of classes marks a fateful encounter for Benny as she meets Jack Foley and Nan Mahon following a mishap. Benny is struck by Jack's charm and kindness, yet she doubts he could ever be drawn to someone like her—a girl she deems too ordinary compared to the glamorous Nan. As romance blossoms between Benny and Jack, she finds herself weaving tales to her parents about evening lectures and her supposed need to stay in town with Eve. Meanwhile, Eve, raised in Knockglen convent by nuns, bears the weight of her mother's wealthy family's refusal to claim her, branding her as a symbol of past indiscretions.

Life at the convent subjects Eve to the scorn of her peers, who see her as an outlier because of her orphan status and unconventional upbringing. Initially, Benny never envisaged friendship with Eve, but a nudge from her mother leads Benny to invite Eve to her tenth birthday celebration. This event lays the foundation for a deep bond between them. Benny envies Eve’s agility and grace, while Eve admires Benny's robust presence, able to "hit like a ton of bricks." Despite not having a traditional family, Eve’s life is rich with love, particularly from Mother Francis, whose heart aches at the thought of Eve leaving for Dublin.

Eve's ambition to join University College alongside Benny compels her to confront her estranged family for financial support, leading to new interactions. Her cousin Heather Westward warms to Eve, though her relationship with older cousin Simon begins with tension, it evolves to mutual tolerance.

In contrast, Nan’s bond with Benny and Eve is surface-deep, guarding her true self carefully. Her home remains off-limits, and she only presents the version of herself she wishes others to see. Nan’s tenuous connection with Eve is mainly due to Eve’s cousin Simon, whom she views as a potential escape from her own difficulties. Driven by a dismal home life, Nan is resolute in her pursuit to marry a wealthy man for a secure, prominent position in society, eyeing Simon as her ticket. Her beauty is undeniable, constantly lavished with admiration, yet she remains aloof from serious entanglements, with eyes set on social ascension.

As Nan's relationship with Simon deepens, she surrenders herself to him, anticipating marriage. However, upon discovering her pregnancy, Simon shirks responsibility, leaving Nan isolated. In her desperation, she turns to Jack, Benny's boyfriend, exploiting his feelings of abandonment post Benny's father's demise. Through manipulation, she draws Jack into her web, convincing him of her alleged pregnancy by him.

Jack Foley, a striking figure with auburn hair and a smattering of freckles, stands as the eldest among five sons of a Dublin physician. Although a gifted rugby player, his father cannot fathom Jack's aspiration to pursue law over medicine, pressing him to follow in his footsteps. A visit to Knockglen with his father becomes a gateway for Jack into Benny’s world, igniting his curiosity about the village and forging a friendship with Benny that blossoms into romance. Despite Benny's initial reluctance during a dance where she daringly exposes her cleavage, Jack begins to see her as much more than a mere friend.

As their romance blossoms, Jack yearns for more intimacy, yet Benny, steadfast in her Catholic principles, navigates through the tension by holding her ground, despite the challenge. Feeling neglected after Benny’s father’s passing, Jack, drawn in by Nan’s seduction, succumbs to an affair. Believing Nan’s claim of pregnancy to be true, Jack prepares to commit to her, only to find the path altered by Nan's miscarriage, rendering the marriage moot.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

Themes

Next

Analysis

Loading...