Company

By Max Barry

Introduction
Company by Max Barry is a satirical novel that dives into the absurdities and intricacies of corporate life. Published in 2006, this book is a sharp critique of modern business culture, blending dark humor with a keen observation of corporate dynamics. 🌟 Barry, known for his biting satire and clever storytelling, presents a unique take on the corporate world through this engaging narrative.

Max Barry is an Australian author who has made a name for himself with his insightful and often humorous takes on contemporary issues. His works often explore the intersections of business, technology, and society, with Company being a prime example of his talent for satirical storytelling. In this novel, Barry explores the inner workings of a mysterious and seemingly absurd corporation, providing readers with a thought-provoking and entertaining look at the world of business. 🏢

Plot Summary

Plot Summary
Company follows the story of Stephen Jones, a newly hired employee at a mysterious corporation known only as “The Company.” From the outset, Stephen is thrust into an enigmatic environment where everything seems odd and out of place. The story unfolds as Stephen attempts to understand the true nature of his employer and navigate the bizarre corporate culture he has found himself in.

Exposition

Stephen Jones starts his new job at The Company, which is shrouded in secrecy. He quickly notices the strange behavior of his colleagues and the absurd corporate rituals that seem to dominate the office environment. Stephen’s curiosity is piqued as he tries to piece together what the company actually does and why its operations are so secretive.

Rising Action

As Stephen delves deeper into the workings of The Company, he discovers that its employees are not quite what they seem. The Company’s internal politics and the peculiar behavior of his coworkers create a sense of intrigue and tension. Stephen’s investigation reveals a series of increasingly bizarre events, including mysterious meetings and unusual corporate practices.

Climax

The tension reaches its peak when Stephen uncovers a shocking secret about The Company’s true purpose. He learns that the corporation is involved in a grand scheme that involves manipulating and controlling its employees in ways he could never have imagined. This revelation challenges everything Stephen thought he knew about his job and the corporate world.

Falling Action

Following the dramatic revelation, Stephen faces a series of consequences as he grapples with the implications of the company’s operations. He must navigate the fallout from his discovery, dealing with the repercussions of exposing the company’s secrets and the impact on his own life.

Resolution

In the end, Stephen decides to take action against The Company, revealing its secrets to the world. The novel concludes with Stephen confronting the absurdities of corporate life and reflecting on his experiences. The resolution underscores the satirical nature of the story, leaving readers with a blend of humor and insight into the corporate world.

Character Analysis

Character Analysis
Company features a diverse cast of characters, each contributing to the satirical narrative with their unique traits and roles within The Company.

Character Analysis Summary

CharacterDescriptionRole in the Story
Stephen JonesA newcomer to The Company, curious and determined to uncover the truth.Protagonist who drives the narrative by investigating The Company.
MandyA quirky and mysterious employee at The Company.Represents the enigmatic and bizarre elements of corporate life.
The CEOThe elusive and powerful head of The Company.Embodies the authority and secrecy of the corporation.
The HR ManagerAn overbearing and officious figure who embodies corporate bureaucracy.Illustrates the absurdity of corporate management practices.

Analysis

  • Stephen Jones: As the protagonist, Stephen serves as the reader’s guide through the bizarre world of The Company. His curiosity and determination make him a relatable and engaging character as he seeks to uncover the truth behind the company’s secrets.
  • Mandy: Her eccentric behavior and mysterious nature add a layer of intrigue to the story. Mandy’s interactions with Stephen help highlight the absurdities and quirks of the corporate environment.
  • The CEO: The CEO’s elusive nature and control over the company’s operations underscore the power dynamics at play. This character’s secrecy and authority are central to the novel’s satirical critique of corporate culture.
  • The HR Manager: This character represents the bureaucratic and often nonsensical aspects of corporate life. The HR Manager’s rigid and officious demeanor adds to the novel’s satire of workplace management.

Themes and Symbols

Themes and Symbols

Themes

  1. Absurdity of Corporate Culture
  • The novel critiques the often absurd and irrational aspects of corporate life, highlighting how corporate environments can become insular and nonsensical.
  1. Secrecy and Transparency
  • The theme of secrecy is central to the plot, with The Company’s hidden operations serving as a metaphor for the opaque and often deceptive nature of corporate practices.
  1. Identity and Conformity
  • The characters’ struggles with their identities and the pressure to conform to corporate norms reflect broader concerns about individuality and self-identity in the workplace.

Symbols

  1. The Company
  • Symbolizes the faceless and impersonal nature of modern corporations, as well as the secrecy and manipulation inherent in corporate structures.
  1. Corporate Rituals
  • Represent the absurdity and often meaningless nature of corporate practices and traditions.
  1. Office Environment
  • Serves as a microcosm of the larger corporate world, reflecting the isolation and absurdity experienced by employees.

Style and Tone

Style and Tone
Max Barry’s writing in Company is characterized by its satirical and humorous approach to the corporate world. His style blends sharp wit with insightful commentary, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Style

  • Satirical: Barry uses satire to critique corporate culture, employing exaggeration and humor to highlight the absurdities of the business world.
  • Descriptive: The novel’s detailed descriptions of the corporate environment and characters help to build a vivid and immersive world.
  • Dialogue-Driven: The book features sharp, witty dialogue that reveals character traits and advances the plot, adding to the novel’s satirical tone.

Tone

  • Humorous: The tone is frequently humorous, using comedy to address serious themes and critiques of corporate life.
  • Cynical: There is a underlying cynicism about the nature of corporate culture, reflecting the novel’s critical perspective on the business world.
  • Absurdist: The tone often ventures into the absurd, mirroring the bizarre and surreal aspects of The Company and its practices.

Literary Devices used in Company

Literary Devices used in Company

  1. Satire
  • Used to critique and exaggerate the absurdities of corporate life.
  1. Irony
  • Highlights the contrast between appearances and reality within the corporate environment.
  1. Symbolism
  • Utilized to represent abstract concepts and themes through concrete elements.
  1. Hyperbole
  • Employed to exaggerate aspects of corporate culture for comedic effect.
  1. Allegory
  • The story serves as an allegory for broader criticisms of business practices and corporate behavior.
  1. Dialogue
  • Reveals character traits and advances the plot through witty and sharp conversations.
  1. Foreshadowing
  • Hints at future events and revelations through subtle clues.
  1. Characterization
  • Builds complex and often exaggerated characters to enhance the satirical nature of the novel.
  1. Imagery
  • Creates vivid descriptions of the corporate setting and characters, enhancing the reader’s experience.
  1. Parody
  • Parodies corporate culture and business practices to critique and entertain.

Literary Devices Examples

Literary Devices Examples

Satire

ExampleExplanation
The absurd corporate rituals Stephen encounters.Satirizes the often meaningless and ritualistic nature of corporate traditions.
The exaggerated portrayal of office politics.Highlights the ridiculous aspects of corporate power struggles.
The secretive nature of The Company’s operations.Critiques the opaqueness and secrecy of modern corporations.

Irony

ExampleExplanation
The Company’s focus on secrecy despite its mundane operations.Ironically highlights how the company’s secrecy is more about absurdity than genuine importance.
Employees who are unaware of what their company does.Ironically contrasts the idea of transparency in business with actual confusion.
The high level of bureaucracy in a company with trivial objectives.Showcases the ironic mismatch between the company’s bureaucratic structure and its lack of significant purpose.

Symbolism

ExampleExplanation
The Company as a faceless entity.Symbolizes the impersonal and dehumanizing nature of large corporations.
Corporate rituals and ceremonies.Represent the often absurd and meaningless practices within business culture.
The office environment.Reflects the broader corporate world’s isolation and absurdity.

Hyperbole

ExampleExplanation
The extreme secrecy surrounding trivial company activities.Exaggerates the often excessive nature of corporate confidentiality.
The exaggerated office politics and power struggles.Highlights the over-the-top nature of corporate conflicts and rivalries.
The absurdity of corporate rituals and traditions.Uses exaggeration

to critique the often ridiculous aspects of business practices. |

Allegory

ExampleExplanation
The Company as a representation of the corporate world.Serves as an allegory for the broader issues and criticisms of modern business practices.
Stephen’s journey as a metaphor for employee experiences.Illustrates the challenges and absurdities faced by employees in the corporate sector.
The company’s rituals as a critique of corporate culture.Represents a broader commentary on the nature of business and its practices.

Dialogue

ExampleExplanation
Witty exchanges between Stephen and his colleagues.Reveals character traits and enhances the satirical tone.
Conversations about corporate rituals and practices.Provides insight into the absurdity of business culture.
Dialogue highlighting the differences between appearances and reality.Advances the plot and emphasizes the novel’s themes.

Foreshadowing

ExampleExplanation
Subtle hints about the company’s secretive nature.Foreshadows the eventual revelation of the company’s true purpose.
Small clues about unusual employee behavior.Suggests future conflicts and discoveries.
Early mentions of bizarre corporate practices.Builds anticipation for the unfolding of the company’s absurd operations.

Characterization

ExampleExplanation
The exaggerated traits of corporate employees.Enhances the satirical nature of the novel and critiques business culture.
Stephen’s development from a curious employee to a whistleblower.Shows the character’s growth and adaptation to the absurd environment.
Mandy’s eccentric behavior.Highlights the quirky and bizarre aspects of corporate life.

Imagery

ExampleExplanation
Vivid descriptions of the corporate office environment.Creates a detailed and immersive setting for the novel’s events.
Detailed portrayals of corporate rituals and ceremonies.Enhances the satirical critique of business practices.
Descriptive passages about employee interactions.Adds depth to the character relationships and the story’s atmosphere.

Parody

ExampleExplanation
The exaggerated portrayal of corporate life.Parodies the often ridiculous aspects of business culture.
Satirical representations of corporate management.Critiques the absurdities of business leadership and practices.
Mocking of corporate jargon and terminology.Highlights the often meaningless and convoluted language used in business.

FAQs

Company – FAQs

Q: What is Company by Max Barry about?
A: Company is a satirical novel that explores the absurdities and secrets of corporate life through the story of a new employee at a mysterious company. The novel critiques modern business practices with humor and wit.

Q: Who is the protagonist in Company?
A: The protagonist is Stephen Jones, a newly hired employee who becomes increasingly intrigued by the enigmatic nature of The Company and its operations.

Q: What are the major themes in Company?
A: Major themes include the absurdity of corporate culture, secrecy and transparency, and identity and conformity within the workplace.

Q: How does Max Barry use satire in the novel?
A: Barry uses satire to exaggerate and critique the often ridiculous aspects of corporate life, including absurd rituals, bureaucratic practices, and the impersonal nature of large corporations.

Q: What literary devices are prominent in Company?
A: Prominent literary devices include satire, irony, symbolism, hyperbole, allegory, dialogue, foreshadowing, characterization, imagery, and parody.

Q: What is the significance of The Company in the novel?
A: The Company symbolizes the impersonal and secretive nature of modern corporations, serving as a critique of business practices and corporate culture.

Q: How does the character Stephen Jones develop throughout the novel?
A: Stephen evolves from a curious new employee into a whistleblower who confronts the absurdities and secrets of The Company, ultimately reflecting on the nature of corporate life.

Quiz

Quiz

QuestionOption AOption BOption COption D
What is The Company’s main characteristic in the novel?A mysterious and secretive natureA friendly and open environmentA non-profit organizationA small local business
Who is the protagonist of Company?Stephen JonesMandyThe CEOThe HR Manager
What does Stephen Jones discover about The Company?It is involved in an absurd corporate schemeIt is a straightforward businessIt is a charitable organizationIt is a small, family-run business
What theme is central to Company?Absurdity of corporate cultureRomance and relationshipsHistorical eventsScience fiction
Which literary device is used to critique corporate rituals in Company?SatireAllegoryIronyHyperbole

Exercise

Exercise
Identify the literary devices used in the following paragraph from Company.

“Stephen Jones walked through the office, feeling like a rat in a maze. The endless cubicles and bizarre corporate rituals seemed to mock his every step. He overheard a conversation about the latest ‘innovation’ – a new way to streamline the already overly complicated processes. The office buzzed with jargon and acronyms, a language he could barely decipher. The CEO’s face, always hidden behind layers of secrecy, seemed to loom over every decision, an unseen puppet master guiding the chaos.”


Answers:

  1. Metaphor: “Feeling like a rat in a maze” – Compares Stephen’s feeling of confusion to a rat navigating a maze.
  2. Symbolism: “Endless cubicles and bizarre corporate rituals” – Symbolizes the monotonous and absurd nature of corporate life.
  3. Irony: “A new way to streamline the already overly complicated processes” – Highlights the ironic complexity of the company’s supposed efficiency measures.
  4. Jargon: “Buzzed with jargon and acronyms” – Reflects the confusing and often meaningless corporate language.
  5. Symbolism: “The CEO’s face hidden behind layers of secrecy” – Represents the enigmatic and controlling nature of corporate leadership.
Index