I Hope This Finds You Well

As Jolene gains access to other’s private digital communications, including emails and chat messages, she learns information about her coworkers that she could never know otherwise. For instance, she learns about Rhonda’s attempts at dating, Armin’s fake engagement, Caitlin’s plans for earning a promotion over Jolene, and Gregory’s extramarital affair. At first, Jolene succumbs to the temptation to use her newfound access selfishly, as she seeks to enhance her job security.

Over time, however, she finds that increased insight into her coworkers’ lives leads her to develop empathy and compassion for those whom she previously judged, including Rhonda, Armin, and Caitlin. The digital communications she reads and reacts to thus serve as proxies or symbols of all the thoughts and feelings that are normally hidden from view. This supports Natalie Sue’s larger discussion of Judgment Versus Empathy, showing that, as a general rule, prejudice thrives in ignorance, while understanding leads to compassion.

Throughout the novel, various forms of baked goods serve as a currency of goodwill within Jolene’s office. As a nod to North American office culture, this motif gently underscores both the occasional superficiality of business relationships as well as the need for real friendship and connection.