Jackson Character Analysis in The Mysterious Benedict Society

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 Mysterious Benedict Society, and he demonstrates a whole-hearted dedication to Mr. Curtain. The children later learn that Jackson was one of Mr. Curtain’s “special recruits” to the Institute—an orphan who has been kidnapped and brainwashed. Special recruits are usually more devoted to Mr. Curtain than other students, since they owe Mr. Curtain a debt of gratitude for taking them in. Though the children bear some sympathy to Jackson and Jillson after learning this, the Executives are too horrible to elicit any goodwill.

Jackson Quotes in The Mysterious Benedict Society

The The Mysterious Benedict Society quotes below are all either spoken by Jackson or refer to Jackson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

[Sticky] was glaring at Jackson. It was such an angry look––so full of defiant outrage––that Reynie actually felt encouraged. There was strength in Sticky. It was just easy to miss. Easiest of all for Sticky himself.

Related Characters: , ,

Page Number and Citation: 293

Explanation and Analysis:

Sticky returns from the Waiting Room traumatized and shaken to his core. Reynie gradually rebuilds Sticky’s confidence, but when Jackson arrives to bring the boys to the Whisperer, he mocks Sticky about the Waiting Room. Sticky makes no reply, but he glares at Jackson with “defiant outrage.” This description highlights that Sticky is not as meek as he appears. Sticky’s anger does not manifest loudly or brazenly, but it manifests nonetheless, which adds to the novel’s theme of people and things containing hidden aspects. Moreover, his anger is “defiant,” an act of quiet, subtle rebellion against Jackson’s authority. This small rebellion does not directly stand in the way of Mr. Curtain or the Executives, but it still inspires hope in Reynie. Reynie can see the courage that even Sticky doesn’t know he has, which gives Reynie hope for their mission and will, in the future, allow Reynie to depend upon Sticky in times of danger.

Jackson Character Timeline in The Mysterious Benedict Society

The timeline below shows where the character Jackson appears in The Mysterious Benedict Society. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Constance as the group’s escorts arrive. The escorts wear matching uniforms and introduce themselves as Jackson and Jillson. Reynie tries to introduce himself, but Jillson cuts him off, which makes Reynie... (full context)

Jackson and Jillson lead the children to the dorms, where the boys and girls are forced... (full context)

Jackson leaves, and Sticky and Reynie plan to find the girls. Before they can, however, Kate... (full context)

The children return to their rooms to meet Jackson and Jillson, but the Executives arrive more than 30 minutes late. Jillson asks Kate and... (full context)

...the children past a group of students reciting a nonsensical chant about the “free market.” Jackson casually refers to it as the Free Market Drill, and Constance challenges that it sounds... (full context)

Jackson and Jillson leave the children alone in a classroom to wait for Mr. Curtain. Kate... (full context)

...four are in a class taught by S.Q. Pedalian and a Messenger, Martina Crowe, when Jackson arrives and calls two Messengers out of class. In this same class, Reynie also recognizes... (full context)

...S.Q. explains that they are “special recruits” who get extra encouragement to become top students; Jackson and Jillson were special recruits themselves. When Sticky asks what makes special recruits special, S.Q.... (full context)

...linger together outside Reynie and Sticky’s room to eavesdrop on other students. During this time, Jackson marches down the hall and commands a Messenger to go to the Waiting Room, by... (full context)

During class the next day, Jackson posts the list of new Messengers. None of the Mysterious Benedict Society has made the... (full context)

...about them––“there’s a difference between remembering and thinking,” he says. The group is interrupted by Jackson, who threatens to take Kate to the Waiting Room unless she gives him the spyglass.... (full context)

...Constance come in through the ceiling panel. She makes a little too much noise, and Jackson comes in to investigate. Kate hides in the ceiling, and Sticky zips Constance into his... (full context)

Sticky’s friends congratulate him on the way to lunch. In the corridor, they overhear Jackson and Jillson discussing a Messenger who has been blamed for spying in the gym. The... (full context)

...then it is revealed why a new spot has opened up: Martina comes in with Jackson and Jillson, dressed as an Executive. (full context)

Reynie wakes up from a nightmare to Jackson, who has come to bring him and Sticky to something called “the Whisperer.” Sticky points... (full context)

...new code!” The children turn over a note, but find only a different note from Jackson, scolding S.Q. for leaving this clue. After some deliberation, it strikes Reynie that “LOSE” turned... (full context)

...open. The corridor is lined with doors, and she is debating which to open when Jackson comes through one. Kate hides and distracts Jackson by launching a marble down the hallway... (full context)

...She suspects a trap and hurries out of the culvert. As she emerges, S.Q. and Jackson come racing toward the culvert. Kate has nowhere to hide but the freezing water surrounding... (full context)

...Reynie and Sticky explain that S.Q. accidentally destroyed all of Kate’s footprints on the shore. Jackson and Martina approach their table. Jackson holds up the marble Kate threw last night, and... (full context)

Jackson and Martina return to the table. Jackson spit out a piece of licorice when he... (full context)

...but the two Executives (one of whom is S.Q.) catch up to them, and Martina, Jackson, and Jillson run out of the building toward them. Kate keeps running up a hill,... (full context)

...climb the ladder with Constance still on her back. They climb over the wall, but Jackson is almost at the top of the ladder. Kate uses her bucket to scoop up... (full context)

Jackson Character Analysis

Jackson Quotes in The Mysterious Benedict Society

Chapter 23 Quotes

Jackson Character Timeline in The Mysterious Benedict Society