Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Dune, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Power and Violence
Free Will and Fate
Environment and Human Culture
Human Cognitive Advances
Summary
Analysis
The epigraph from Princess Irulan’s text “Manual of Muad’Dib” recounts the Fremen response to Paul Atreides‘s first public outing on Arrakis. They tentatively shouted “Mahdi!” as they hoped he was the prophesized messiah who is known in Fremen cultures as “Mahdi” and “Lisan al-Gaib, the Voice from the Outer World.” The Fremen are also fascinated by Lady Jessica’s power and status as a Bene Gesserit sister.
The Fremen legend of a foreign messiah is similar to the Bene Gesserit prophecy of the Kwisatz Haderach. Their public cries cement the likelihood that Paul is this prophesized leader who will guide the Fremen to Imperial power and save humanity as per Bene Gesserit foresight. The Fremen word “Mahdi” means “messianic deliverer” in the Arabic language and signals Frank Herbert’s decision to base Fremen language and customs on Arab culture.
Themes
Duke Leto approaches Thufir Hawat and instructs him to destroy Harkonnen spice stockpiles on the planet Giedi Prime. Although House Atreides cannot spare many men, the Duke thinks this venture is worthwhile and suggests some Fremen may also enjoy an off-world trip.
By prioritizing destruction of Harkonnen assets over military protection of his family and people, Duke Leto exemplifies the vindictive political tactics favored by the Great Houses that results in recurrent conflict.
Themes
Hawat has intercepted a message that suggests Lady Jessica is colluding with Baron Harkonnen. The Mentat is unaware that this is a Harkonnen ploy to make House Atreides suspect Duke Leto’s beloved concubine. Hawat informs the Duke of the message. Although Hawat suspects Jessica, the Duke is certain that she is not a traitor. However, Leto decides to pretend he suspects Jessica to convince the Harkonnens that he has naively fallen into their trap. The Duke allows Hawat and Duncan Idaho to the possibility that Jessica is guilty to make his pretense more convincing to Harkonnen spies; Hawat places Jessica under constant surveillance.
This is the second time that Hawat falls for a Harkonnen trap. His fallibility suggests that Mentats are not as effective as they’re made to seem, or that because of his elderly age, he is losing the sharp skills in deduction and logic that Mentats are renowned for. Unfortunately, too, despite Duke Leto’s knowledge that the intercepted message must be fake, he pretends he thinks it true. His imminent death makes this decision a poor one because it upsets his relationship with Jessica.
Themes
Duke Leto had previously asked Hawat to look into why Fremen have started addressing Paul in the streets as “Mahdi.” His Mentat tells Leto that the Fremen believe that Paul could be the messiah that has been promised to them in prophecy, which states that “a leader will come to them, child of a Bene Gesserit, to lead them to true freedom.”
In this passage, Duke Leto learns more about the prophesized Fremen messiah, and these details support the possibility that Paul is their messiah.
Themes
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Duke Leto needs time to consider the weight of this Fremen belief. He strides to a tower balcony, taking in the beauty of the sky and desert basin. Leto experiences a sudden intense anger at the Harkonnens who threaten this place and threaten his family. He vows to make a stand on Arrakis. Watching the landscapes and the dew gatherers in the morning light, the Duke acknowledges that the planet “could become a good home for my son” or conversely it “could be a hideous place.”
Duke Leto continues to be informed of news about Paul that rocks his usually solid leadership. His comparison between Arrakis as a “good home” or a “hideous place” foregrounds the fragility of the Atreides future fortunes. These rest on gaining local Arrakeen support and learning to navigate the beautiful but dangerous desert environments.
Themes
