The Mysterious Benedict Society Isolation Quotes

We get the feeling that this childhood experience of isolation played a part—however big or small—in shaping Mr. Curtain into the power-hungry loner that he's become as an adult. But certainly not all kids who have a tough childhood turn into megalomaniacal tyrants bent on taking over the world, so… what else do you think might have influenced Mr. Curtain to become the person he's become?

So Reynie's biggest fear is being alone—and moments later we learn that Sticky's is not being wanted. These two boys have definitely felt isolated in their lives, so much so that their biggest fears revolve around remaining that way. That should make them perfect candidates to become Executives in Mr. Curtain's organization, since he—and the Whisperer—can offer them a sense of belonging they haven't always gotten… but it doesn't.

Yeah maybe—but Sticky's not exactly at his best in this moment. He's just had one go round with the Whisperer, which left him feeling pretty weak and vulnerable. It also gave him a taste of reassurance, so it only makes sense that now, like every other Messenger ever to sit under the Whisperer's helmet, he wants more—more consoling, more reassurance, more proof that he's wanted. So of course he's flattered by the invitation to sit at the Messengers' table at lunch, and of course he wants to go.

But that doesn't make him a bad person; it just makes him a person with low self-esteem. In this moment. Of course later, when he's feeling more confident in his abilities and his self-worth, he's able to face the Whisperer—the Whisperer—without polishing his glasses. And if the Messengers invited him lunch a week later? We're guessing he wouldn't find the invitation quite so tempting, because at that point he's not feeling so isolated anymore.