The following version of this book was sued to create this study guide: Wharton, Edith. “Full Circle.” Tales of Men and Ghosts. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1910.

The story opens in the private residence of Geoffrey Betton. Betton used to have fairly limited financial means, and he lived in a small, low-rent apartment. However, he suddenly received a large income when his debut novel became a significant critical and commercial success. He became quite well known, and he enjoyed both the money and attention. In order to prolong his success and notoriety, he wrote a second novel, which is scheduled to be published very soon. However, he has become weary of his fame. He yearns for his old anonymity, and he no longer enjoys receiving letters from readers.

Betton knows that once his new book is published, he will likely receive a large number of letters from readers. He decides to hire a secretary to read and answer the letters on his behalf. To his surprise, a man named Duncan Vyse applies for the job. Betton and Vyse were friends in college, and for several years after. During that time, Vyse had literary ambitions, while Betton did not. Vyse wrote a novel, but he had no success when trying to sell it to publishers. Betton read the novel and loved it, and he promised to pass it along to a publisher with whom he was acquainted. However, Betton was quite busy, and he forgot to give the manuscript to the publisher.

When interviewing for the job, Vyse says that he has had bad luck in terms of jobs and finances. He currently works a part-time office job, but the pay is insufficient. Partially out of pity, Betton hires Vyse for the part-time secretary position. Vyse diligently reads and replies to the fan letters that Betton receives. However, Betton becomes self-conscious when the response to his new book proves to be lackluster. Betton does not receive many fan letters, and many of the letters have mixed and even negative things to say about the book. Betton, feeling insecure, resorts to secretly editing some of the letters before Vyse sees them. Betton even fabricates some letters entirely, but he stops when it seems like Vyse might have noticed.

The fan letters cease almost completely, but then there is a slight increase. The most recent letters are more laudatory and more eloquent. Betton even begins an extended correspondence with some of the. However, Betton eventually realizes that those letters are actually fabrications written by Vyse. Betton gently confronts Vyse, telling him that he does not need to write fake letters simply to protect Betton’s ego. Betton compliments the quality of the letters and encourages Vyse to resume his literary ambitions. Vyse replies that he did not write the fake letters for Betton’s sake, but rather to make more work for himself and keep the job, as Vyse desperately needs the money.