Previous
Chapter 39
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Children of Dune, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Legacy and Ancestry
Prophets and Messiahs
Self-Discipline
Cultural Erasure
Loyalty and Betrayal
Summary
Analysis
Alia spends hours attempting to convince Ghanima to accept a betrothal to Farad’n, arguing that it is essential for the peace of the Empire. Ghanima remains unyielding, declaring she would kill Farad’n on their wedding night. Additionally, she accuses Alia of lying about her true motives. Irulan joins the discussion but fares no better, as Ghanima rebuffs her arguments with disdain.
Ghanima’s anger toward Farad’n demonstrates that she has fully convinced herself of Leto’s death. Because she believes that Farad’n and his family are responsible for killing Leto, she refuses to even consider the possibility marrying Farad’n, even if it would bring about peace for others.
Themes
The debate takes a sudden turn when Ghanima proposes a false betrothal as a trap to lure Farad’n into her reach so she can enact vengeance against him for Leto’s death. Alia and Irulan debate the political risks of such a plan, with Irulan fearing the repercussions on the Empire and Paul’s legacy. Ghanima remains steadfast, insisting she will kill Farad’n herself. Irulan grows increasingly desperate, warning of the political fallout, while Alia sees the plan as an opportunity to strengthen her own power.
It is important to remember that Irulan is a member of House Corrino (Farad’n is her nephew), so there is a conflict of interest that makes her position suspect. However, unlike Alia, who schemes only for herself, a genuine desire for peace motivates Irulan. Meanwhile, Ghanima cares only about getting revenge. Like Alia, her calculations are entirely selfish, and she does not think about what her plan would mean for the rest of the galaxy.
Themes
As Irulan storms out in frustration, Ghanima warns Alia to choose their witnesses carefully, suggesting they should be individuals whose opposition they could later eliminate. Alia orders Irulan placed under surveillance to prevent her from alerting Farad’n. Once she is alone, Ghanima mourns Leto while preparing to enact her revenge.
Themes
