Blast Off with 'Dune' ## ### Culture ### ### By Abby Amoakuh
Published Sep 22, 2024 at 09:00 AM
Reading time: 6 minutes
Is Dune categorized as a cosmic adventure or a guiding political caution that we might overlook at our peril?
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Are you debating whether to dive into the captivating universe of Dune, the legendary science fiction epic of all time? Chances are, if you're a fan of sci-fi, you've already dived headfirst into thisREAD, and if not, you've probably skipped it on purpose. But buckle up; Dune is far more than just a希 elegant space opera. It's a mesmerizing exploration of power, corruption, and religion in a feudal interstellar society. In simple words, Dune is a riveting expose of flawed systems, showcasing how we enable their longevity and act as architects of their collapse.
Alright, let's kick things off by envisioning the setting. The story unfolds in a distant future, where various noble houses control planetary estates, each playing a pivotal role in maintaining the stability of the economy and the empire.
The narrative begins with the tale of Paul Atreides, a young man ruling the ocean planet Caladan alongside his father, the just and righteous Duke Leto Atreides. The Padishah Emperor - Shaddam IV - assigns the Atreides family the stewardship of the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the only known source of a rare resource called the spice. This cosmic gem is essential for interstellar travel and, you guessed it, found on the planet inhabited by the indigenous Fremen - a religious fighting force vexed by the colonization of their homeworld.
Speaking of the Bene Gesserit, they're an all-female, religious group with extraordinary abilities, interbreeding the mysterious Kwisatz Haderach within the noble houses for ages. They're supposed to be an acolyte with the ability to see across time and space. Or something out of our wildest dreams.
Paul, being the chosen one, arrives with the extraordinary gifts; he's already having visions but nothing like what's needed to become the Dune Messiah - yet. Let's dive deeper into the plot.
What's the lowdown on the Dune chronicles?
The Atreides family diplomatically enters Arrakis, equipped to manage the spice industry, only to realize that it was all a setup. Their enemies, the Harkonnens, who previously ruled the desert world, are eager to reclaim it, armed with the support of the Emperor himself.
The cruel undoing of Duke Leto leads Paul and his mother Lady Jessica to escape into the desert and be welcomed by the Fremen. Handed powerful Fremen skills, Paul becomes the messiah they've been waiting for. Now, the story thickens.
Before long, Paul avenges the Emperor's crimes on an immense scale, initiating a destructive intergalactic war that kills 61 billion innocents. His infantile rule strewn with political sabotage, pressure from the Bene Gesserit attempting to dethrone him, and the dangerous fanaticism of his followers, the Fremen Jihad, leave Paul heartbroken when losing Chani, his lover, and the mother of his twins. Plucked by grief, Paul retreats into the desert, abandoning his empire and his sister, Alia, who's left to raise the twins in his absence.
What's the political lesson behind Dune?
Dune's author, Frank Herbert, was inspired by Karl Marx's statement, "I am speaking of a ruthless criticism of everything existing, ruthless in two senses: The criticism must not be afraid of its own conclusions, nor of conflict with the powers that be." Dune delivers an uncompromising critique of heroes and villains, seamlessly blending good and evil in human societies. If you get Dune, it's like reading an Orwell novel.
The narrative is a scathing commentary on charismatic leaders. "I wrote the Dune series because I had this idea that charismatic leaders ought to come with a warning label on their forehead (...) One of the most dangerous presidents we had in this century was John Kennedy because people said "Yes Sir Mr. Charismatic Leader, what do we do next?" and we wound up in Vietnam. And I think probably the most valuable president of this century was Richard Nixon. Because he taught us to distrust the government and he did it by example." says author Frank Herbert when asked about the science fiction masterpiece.
Rhetorically, Dune compares Duke Leto and his son Paul to JFK, giving them admirable traits, but also seeing them as catalysts for destruction-kind of like Nixon. The Atreides men are initially shown as noble, likable "good" houses compared to the almost cartoonishly evil Harkonnens. However, the Fremen tend to forget that the Atreides family didn't come to their world to liberate them; they came to exploit it.
The Fremen embrace Paul as their savior, blindly following him into the abyss. The Bene Gesserit's prophesied god-emperor is glorified as a savior, yet is quickly corrupted by power. Unfortunately, the discordant factions don't learn this crucial lesson, and Dune ends with the seeds of darkness sprouting in the universe.
What's so controversial about Dune?
Thanks to the movie adaptation that brought the series to modern audiences, Dune is more famous and controversial than ever. Critics often cite the Middle Eastern influence in its vocabulary and iconography as cultural appropriation, erasure, and misrepresentation. Disappointingly, the lack of Arab actors in the main cast further exacerbated the accusations.
While it's essential to address the absence of Middle Eastern actors, it's difficult to draw direct parallels to current social and political issues since many were not prominent when the book was written. Technically, author Frank Herbert was inspired by the Oregon Dunes on the West Coast, not the Middle East. Regrettably, this setting contained some orientalism.
- Whether you're drawn to the spectacle of space travel or captivated by tales of power and politics, 'Dune' offers a unique blend of books for entertainment that delves deep into a future filled with intrigue and adventure.
- The Bene Gesserit, with their mysterious abilities and religious authority, serve as a captivating element in 'Dune', presenting an enthralling exploration of power and manipulation within the narrative.
