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Chapter 8
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
The adults of the house are busy preparing paperwork for the children’s admittance to the Institute, so the children spend the evening by themselves. Sticky helps Kate and Reynie practice Morse code, while Constance composes a rude poem about the other three. Finally, she goes to bed, and the others are relieved by her absence. They all express worry about having her on the mission, but Reynie points out that Mr. Benedict wouldn’t have let her join if she wasn’t important. Still, Kate and Sticky ask Reynie to talk to Mr. Benedict about Constance. It has to be him, they say, because Sticky will get nervous and Kate will get frustrated.
The groups’ dynamics begin to establish themselves as, for the first time, Sticky and Kate look to Reynie as their leader. Though he frequently doubts himself, they view him as the most capable and most able to discuss the situation with an adult. Reynie is a part of the group, but he also has a unique role within it that demands extra maturity.
Themes
Reynie finds Mr. Benedict in his study. He is uneasy; it seems wrong to complain about Constance and to express doubt in Mr. Benedict. Reynie is steeling himself when Mr. Benedict predicts that he is here to discuss Constance. Mr. Benedict tells Reynie that he doesn’t have time to explain all his reasoning, but he honestly believes that Constance might be the key to their success. He admits that he is sympathetic to Constance, since like her and Reynie, Mr. Benedict grew up an orphan, but he has not built his team around sympathy. Reynie says that he understands, and Mr. Benedict asks him to convey this information to Sticky and Kate and make sure they still want to participate.
Mr. Benedict is a steward of honesty, but even he does not reveal the entire truth about his plan, leaving Reynie and the others to trust him based on faith. He also proves that, unlike many other adults, Mr. Benedict understands some of Reynie’s loneliness, having grown up an orphan himself. His insistence on Constance’s importance also hints that there might be more to the little girl than first appears.
Themes
Reynie tells Sticky and Kate about his discussion with Mr. Benedict, and they reluctantly agree to do the mission with Constance. Reynie rushes back to the study to tell Mr. Benedict, but when he arrives, he hears Mr. Benedict complaining to Number Two that putting the children in danger goes against everything he believes in. Number Two agrees that they all share that feeling, but they have no choice. Mr. Benedict is so distraught that he falls asleep, but Number Two helps him, and he quickly wakes up. He tells her that if she sees “our young hero,” she should instruct him to come right in. Number Two remarks, “He’s an extraordinary child, isn’t he?” Reynie realizes they might be talking about him.
Mr. Benedict once again emphasizes his dilemma: endangering children is immoral, but it is the better moral alternative to letting Mr. Curtain exert his will over the world. Though he understands that putting the children at risk will force them to grow up too quickly, as Number Two says, they have no other option. Their discussion about Reynie also reveals that they see Reynie’s uniquely amazing abilities and potential for heroism more clearly than he does.
Themes
Number Two leaves the study, and Reynie goes in to tell Mr. Benedict that all the children choose to continue. He is about to return to his room when he pauses and thanks Mr. Benedict. Mr. Benedict is puzzled, but Reynie simply repeats his gratitude. Mr. Benedict smiles affectionately and tells Reynie he is welcome.
Reynie has lived his entire life in loneliness, with only Miss Perumal to care about him. Mr. Benedict has proven that he believes in Reynie and that he is concerned about his wellbeing. Further, he has brought Reynie into a group of friends and allies. Mr. Benedict regrets that he requires children to carry out the mission, but Reynie is grateful to be a part of something.
Themes
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Early in the morning, the children gather together. Kate has suggested that their group needs a name, and the others agree, even Constance. They throw out several ideas, but no one can agree on a name. Reynie suggests they start with what brought them together, which Sticky and Kate immediately identify as Mr. Benedict. They try a few more ideas before Constance interrupts. She suggests “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” and then she leaves the room.
Though Mr. Benedict feels guilty at putting the children in danger, they unanimously recognize him as the cause of their friendship. Constance demonstrates that she is willing to engage with the others when they introduce a topic that interests her, and when she does engage, she has good ideas to offer.
Themes
