Join SpaceBuds as we dive into the epic saga of Dune, exploring Frank Herbert’s masterful world-building and timeless sci-fi themes
Symbols & Meanings
Symbols of hope and renewal are critical for the preservation of a societal unit’s growth. However, placing too much weight on one side of a civilization’s delicate emotional scale can lead to polarity and destruction. Questions surfaced while I read Dune; what makes a symbol socially effective? Are heroic figures truly beneficial? Are the risks worth the rewards?
I went into Dune with a general understanding of the tale due to the movies (both new and old) and would simply sum it up as “Paul goes through a transformation after his fathers assassination”. Yet, after reading the novel (with a little help from THC), I’ve come to view it as so much more.
“Drop” of Water
After ingesting a 50mg GMO Cherry “Drops” gummy, I set onward with my highlighters and sticky tabs and began reading. Throughout my read of Herbert’s Dune, Paul goes through what many initially perceive to be “a hero’s journey”. However, his evolution into the figure of Muad’Dib deconstructs a typical tale of heroism and, to me, is rather a cautionary tale of idolization. Where many see a “good” protagonist, further introspection showcases a tale of a boy taking advantage of religious colonialism that then enables him to release war and aggression on his enemies.
I quickly found that Herbert intentionally crafted Paul to be charismatic and easy to empathize with. His backstory is like that of many heroic figures; trauma is experienced and his mentality changes. However, where many heroes use these shifts for the “greater good”, Paul takes advantage of the manipulative efforts of the Bene Gesserit and uses the prophecy in his personal agenda against the Harkonenns and Emperor. Though Paul follows what appears to many to be a hero’s journey within Dune, I couldn’t help but think about the amount of control Paul held over the masses due to a prophecy he chose to exploit.
To Much Power (& Flower)
So what? Well, in my sticky little brain, I saw this terrifyingly applicable. I had two bowls of “Tropicana Cherries” when I came to realize how timeless the themes presented in the novel were. Subjects surrounding governmental oppression, hierarchical rule, money, cash crops/resources, and religious manipulation were upon the brightest that shined to me. I know that for collective action to be incredibly effective, there must be a point of unity. But in having so much weight put on a common cause/belief, drastic amounts of power is then placed in a localized spot, presenting an easy catalyst for destruction.
This realization inspired me to have new thoughts on collective action and what the meaning of “unity” looks like in the context of warfare efforts and political arenas in general. Does it mean that everyone has the same perspective on how to achieve the end goal? Or is some form of hierarchical dynamic needed for organization? Every case is different,but in the application of Dune, Paul represents different things to different people. Kwisatz Haderach, Mahdi, Lisan al-Gaib, are just a few names given to Paul throughout the book. These names represent the different roles he plays to different people throughout the course of the tale and to most of them, Paul represents hope.
Exploitation & Fulfillment
It is the power of the people’s faith that Paul recognizes and uses to exploit the prophecy. By applying his enhanced clairvoyant abilities and his knowledge of the Bene Gesserit forces to embody the role of Fremen prophet, Lisan al-Gaib, he removes Emperor Shaddam IV from the throne and punishes the Harkonnens after the brutal assassination of his father, Leto. Though Paul does what many believe to be justified, it does not necessarily make him a hero.
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