The Mysterious Benedict Society Character Analysis

Reynie Muldoon

Reynard “Reynie” Muldoon is the 11-year-old protagonist of the story. He has been orphaned since infancy and grew up in the Stonetown Orphanage, where the other children ostracized him for his unusual intelligence and unique… read analysis of Reynie Muldoon

Sticky Washington

George “Sticky” Washington is an 11-year-old prodigy with an infallible memory (his nickname comes from the way facts “stick” in his head). He struggles with anxiety and low self-esteem, assuming Reynie is smarter than him… read analysis of Sticky Washington

Kate Wetherall

Kate Wetherall is a cheerful, energetic, 12-year-old member of the Mysterious Benedict Society. She fails Mr. Benedict’s written exams, but her resourcefulness and kindness to Rhonda and Number Two during the tests secure her… read analysis of Kate Wetherall

Constance Contraire

Constance is the youngest member of the Society—and the most disagreeable. She earned her place on the team not by passing Mr. Benedict’s tests, but by amusing him with her intelligent and witty refusals… read analysis of Constance Contraire

Mr. Benedict

Mr. Benedict is an eccentric man who recruits the four main children to fight Mr. Curtain. Mr. Benedict is an unparalleled genius, and years ago he detected the hidden messages that Mr. Curtain conceals… read analysis of Mr. Benedict

Ledroptha Curtain

Mr. Curtain is the primary antagonist of the story. He is an egomaniacal man whose obsession with control is enabled by his mechanical genius. He has constructed a machine, the Whisperer, which transmits mind-controlling messages… read analysis of Ledroptha Curtain

Milligan

Milligan is a former government agent who works as a guard for Mr. Benedict, Number Two, and Rhonda. He lost his memory at the hands of Mr. Curtain, and he initially… read analysis of Milligan

Number Two

Number Two is Mr. Benedict’s right-hand woman. She is steadfastly loyal to him, and she usually stands at his side to catch him if he suddenly falls asleep. She is also an insomniac, which… read analysis of Number Two

Rhonda Kazembe

Rhonda is the youngest member of Mr. Benedict’s household. Like Number Two, she passed Mr. Benedict’s tests as a child and was later adopted by him. She takes part in the tests by… read analysis of Rhonda Kazembe

Miss Perumal

Miss Perumal is Reynie’s tutor at the Stonetown Orphanage. Before he meets his friends in the Mysterious Benedict Society, Miss Perumal is the only person in Reynie’s life who genuinely cares about him. She… read analysis of Miss Perumal

Jackson

Jackson is an Executive, a staff member at the Institute and a henchman to Mr. Curtain. He usually appears in tandem with his fellow Executive, Jillson. He is rude and dismissive to the… read analysis of Jackson

Jillson

Jillson works as an Executive at the Institute, and she usually appears with her fellow Executive Jackson. Like Jackson, Jillson came to work for Mr. Curtain as a “special recruit.” She is hinted to… read analysis of Jillson

Martina Crowe

Martina Crowe is a cruel and self-centered student at the Institute. She works as a Messenger, helping Mr. Curtain transmit mind-controlling messages to the public with the help of his Whisperer machine. She takes pride… read analysis of Martina Crowe

S.Q. Pedalian

S.Q. Pedalian is a bumbling, good-natured Executive with large feet. He is forgetful, easily confused, and prone to malapropisms (mixing up similar-sounding words). His trust in Mr. Curtain overrides his conscience: when he expresses doubts… read analysis of S.Q. Pedalian

Mr. and Mrs. Washington

Mr. and Mrs. Washington are Sticky’s parents. In the past, they have mistreated Sticky and used his perfect memory for financial gain, but after he runs away, the Washingtons realize the error of their… read analysis of Mr. and Mrs. Washington

Minor Characters

Mr. Rutger

Mr. Rutger is the director of the Stonetown Orphanage. He denies Reynie’s requests for advanced education at an outside institution, insisting that Reynie remain at the orphanage. Reynie later learns this is because Mr. Rutger is paid for each student.