The Mysterious Benedict Society

Kate’s bucket is filled with many useful objects, such as a flashlight, a Swiss army knife, rope, a powerful magnet, marbles, a slingshot, and glue. Kate solves many problems throughout the story using the objects in her bucket, often in ingenious ways. The bucket symbolizes Kate’s self-assured determination to handle all her problems on her own, without the help of anyone else. It also symbolizes Kate’s self-confidence and the way she ignores what anyone thinks of her. Having a bucket tied to her waist looks odd, and people often think it silly, but Kate maintains that it is silly not to keep a bucket.

Another object in Kate’s bucket is her kaleidoscope, which is a spyglass. Jackson dismisses it as a useless toy, which demonstrates that things are not always as they appear. The spyglass is imperative to the mission’s success, as it allows the team to survey the island, read the Morse code replies from Mr. Benedict, and watch the movements of others at the Institute. Like the kaleidoscope, Kate and the team prove to be far more resourceful and powerful than the Executives, the other students, and Mr. Curtain all assume.

The Whisperer symbolizes illusion and deceit. The Whisperer gives the Messengers a warm sense of well-being, the feeling that their fear is alleviated, but it is a false impression. Even though Reynie and Sticky know what they experienced was not a true easing of their fears, they still yearn to feel that way again by linking with the Whisperer. Mr. Curtain plans to capitalize on the universal human desire to be fearless by offering the illusion of relief. His real intentions are concealed behind the hidden messages from the Whisperer.

This is a commentary on how people often allow themselves to be deceived into accepting situations and actions that offer seemingly desirable, immediate benefits. Reynie and Constance are strong enough to withstand the Whisperer’s illusory temptations, but even Sticky gives in after fighting to the best of his ability. This shows the overwhelming power of illusion and deceit on the human mind.

That the hidden messages are carried on television and radio waves reflects the way mass media manipulates and compels people into choices and actions that they might not otherwise make. Subliminal messages are not an invention of this novel; they have been used for decades to influence consumer decisions.

The weather in the story is changeable and often symbolizes the mood of the scene. On the first day in Mr. Benedict’s house, as the team finally eats their meal, birds sing outside the window and there is a gentle breeze. The next day, when the team learns about the Sender and the seriousness of their mission, a storm rages outside, with thunder and lightning. Mr. Benedict likens Mr. Curtain’s plans to storm clouds on the horizon that will cover the sky.

Weather symbolism is also used to reflect the characters’ moods. Mulligan, with his gloomy appearance and personality, is called “weatherbeaten.” When Reynie battles his desire to reconnect to the Whisperer, he feels lost in a “mental fogbank.” He cannot think clearly or devise a solution to their problems like he usually does, and the Whisperer shimmers like a beacon, cutting through the fog, promising to relieve Reynie’s gray mood and mental state.

As noted previously, Kate’s last name is Wetherall. When the team tries to think of a name for themselves, Kate suggests “The Great Kate Weather Machine and her Stormy Companions,” as she has long tried to get people to call her by this overly-long nickname. This weather-themed name does not meet with the rest of the team’s approval.

Mr. Curtain has a flower on his desk in the exact same spot as Mr. Benedict, which symbolizes the personalities of the two men. Mr. Curtain’s flower is made of felt and requires no care. Mr. Benedict’s natural flower needs to be watered, so Number Two takes that task. Reynie ponders how strangely similar the twin brothers are, as they are both geniuses who have devoted their careers to investigating the human mind, and yet they are utterly different as well.

Like their personalities, Mr. Curtain’s flower is artificial; it looks lovely and perfect on the outside but has no authentic substance. Mr. Benedict’s flower, though it must be watered and tended to, is alive, which reflects its owner’s genuine warmth and compassionate nature. Mr. Benedict allows his loved ones to help care for him and the living things around him, while Mr. Curtain isolates himself from other people.