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Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Mysterious Benedict Society, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Confidence and Growing Up
Deception vs. Truth
Loneliness vs. Friendship
Control vs. Freedom
Hope
Summary
Analysis
During class the next day, Jackson posts the list of new Messengers. None of the Mysterious Benedict Society has made the list, and as they walk out of class, Reynie sees the two children he suspects were kidnapped. Despite their apparent happiness, he feels sympathetic. He imagines that they must have lived terrible lives to find the Institute so wonderful, and that students must turn their backs on the outside world to become Executives because they are so grateful to be part of something important. Reynie finds himself jealous of that feeling.
Reynie again demonstrates his instinct for compassion and ability to see past people’s external appearances. He assesses that the kidnapped children’s loyalty to Mr. Curtain and the Institute must stem from gratitude, and he is able to sympathize so strongly that he becomes envious. Though Reynie is part of Mr. Benedict’s group, he does not have the certainty of Mr. Curtain’s recruits, and he longs for that unshakeable faith and security.
Themes
Reynie runs into Mr. Curtain, who assumes Reynie is disappointed at not being a Messenger. With condescension, he claims that even the minds of gifted children are easily read. He tells Reynie that Reynie is not yet ready to be a Messenger, but the time will come. Mr. Curtain mentions that he dislikes and distrusts Constance. Reynie suggests that Mr. Curtain should keep people he distrusts close, and Mr. Curtain laughs in approval. Reynie gets the sense that he has passed a test he didn’t know he was taking. Mr. Curtain remarks that keeping his enemies close is the best way to control the problem, and “control is always the key.” He makes up his mind about something, and orders Reynie to accompany him to his office.
While Mr. Benedict treats children with respect, Mr. Curtain talks down to them and assumes all children are less intelligent than himself. He also differs from Mr. Benedict in his thoughts on control. Mr. Benedict values truth and independent thought, and his tests indicate that he believes in creative problem-solving. Mr. Curtain, on the other hand, believes that problems can be solved by asserting control over every situation. Reynie disproves Mr. Curtain’s assumption that children are inferior by manipulating Mr. Curtain into tolerating Constance’s presence. He reads Mr. Curtain’s motivations just as Mr. Curtain believes he himself can do to any child.
Themes
Mr. Curtain speeds down the corridors in his wheelchair, and Reynie has to run to keep up. They reach Mr. Curtain’s office, which requires a number code to enter. The office is white and sparsely decorated. On the wall is a map of Holland, where Mr. Benedict was born, and below that is a row of bookshelves locked to prevent access to their books. Reynie marvels at how Mr. Curtain and Mr. Benedict can be so similar and yet so different.
Mr. Curtain and Mr. Benedict are identical in appearance, and they have the same Dutch origins. They both surround themselves with books and display remarkable intellect. However, their offices, as Reynie observes, highlight their differences. Mr. Benedict welcomes guests into his office, which is full of messily assembled papers, while Mr. Curtain keeps his office locked and mostly empty. Mr. Curtain renders his books inaccessible and maintains strict control over what the residents of the island may learn, unlike Mr. Benedict, whose house is full of books ready to be read.
Themes
Mr. Curtain moves to his desk and marks something in a journal. He tells Reynie that he spent his childhood as an orphan in Holland, where he was constantly bullied by other children. He tells Reynie that they have both been mistreated for being different, and Mr. Curtain claims that in spite of this, his only goal is to make people happy. He remarks that he sees himself in Reynie, who is a natural leader with a superior mind. Mr. Curtain explains that children despise superior minds, and that leaders are always alone even among their friends. Reynie sees some truth in this, but he tries to reassure himself that his friends do not despise him.
Though Mr. Curtain is a villain, he has some sympathetic traits that make him similar to Reynie. They have both struggled with loneliness, as both grew up with neither friends nor family. Mr. Curtain’s experiences with childhood bullies may have shaped his current perception of children as ignorant and easily manipulated. He also observes that Reynie acts as his group’s leader, and he correctly points out the isolation that role can impose. The accuracy of Mr. Curtain’s words shakes Reynie’s confidence in himself and the Mysterious Benedict Society.
Themes
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Mr. Curtain tells Reynie that he is on track to become an Executive. Reynie is surprised, and Mr. Curtain points out that an orphan like Reynie would not be leaving much behind to come work for Mr. Curtain. He reveals to Reynie that he is planning for what he calls the Improvement, which will eliminate the need for Messengers. He promises that he will explain further once Reynie has proven himself. With a laugh, Mr. Curtain remarks that he prizes “open minds.” Reynie thanks him, but Mr. Curtain says not to thank him––instead, Reynie should impress him.
Mr. Benedict’s predictions of “the thing to come” are proven correct as Mr. Curtain reveals his plans for the Improvement. His joke about “open minds” also shows that he finds humor in undermining free will. He uses the phrase with double meaning––in the traditional sense, a student with an open mind is a good listener and ready to learn, but Mr. Curtain also forcibly opens minds to encode his transmitted messages. His laughter at this joke marks a twisted version of his brother’s enjoyment of wordplay, indicating yet another way the brothers are at once similar and different.
Themes
That night, Reynie describes the meeting to the other members of the Mysterious Benedict Society. They pass on the information to the mainland. The response tells the children not to worry, but reminds them that time is of the essence.
The message from the mainland once again highlights the ethical dilemma of recruiting children as spies. Mr. Benedict and his associates do not want the Mysterious Benedict Society to worry, but they must remind the children of the high stakes and limited time to keep the mission on track. This reminder necessarily brings stress to the children, since they must be aware and afraid of the potential consequences of their failure.
Themes
