The Mysterious Benedict Society Theme of Courage

Mr. Curtain said: "The only way fears truly disappear is if you confront them" (31.57).

Eleanor Roosevelt said: "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face."

• Do you think Mr. Curtain and Eleanor Roosevelt could possibly be the same person?

We don't. Because in The Mysterious Benedict Society Mr. Curtain goes on to say, "But who in the world wishes to confront his or her worst fears?" (31.57), whereas Eleanor Roosevelt goes on to say, "You must do the thing you think you cannot do." Clearly the MBSers are a little more like E-Ro than L.C., because over the course of this adventure, each one of is faced with fear, and each one perseveres.

1. Which of the following actions is the bravest and why:
   • Kate jumping off the flagpole to lift Constance out of harm's way and take on the Executives on her own?
   • Sticky stepping in and asking if he can go first in the Whisperer to buy Reynie time?
   • Reynie volunteering to get into the Whisperer in an attempt to disarm it even though he knows he might be brainswept as a result?
   • Constance buckling herself into the Whisperer when Mr. Curtain starts trying to brainsweep the MBSers in the flag tower?
2. What do you think is each of the MBSers greatest fear? Do they all triumph over their greatest fears at some point in the book? Why or why not?
3. Lots of times we equate courage with doing something remarkable even though your life is in danger, but there are a lot of ways to be courageous that don't involve near death experiences. What are some of the courageous things characters do in The MBS that aren't exactly death-defying, but are courageous anyway?
4. What did you do today—yes, today—that required courage? Oh come on, there's gotta be something. Sometimes just getting out of bed in the morning is an act of courage. Was today one of those days? Did you try something new? Tell someone the truth when it would have been easier to lie? Think. We know there's something, you just have to realize it.

Because Sticky is by far the most anxious character, it's harder for him to take risks than it is for the others. That makes Sticky the most courageous character in the book.

Pretending to be brave and actually being brave have the same result and are therefore the same thing.