Dune 1

Dune: Guide #1 : 

Dune: Guide #1 Book 1: Chapters 1-3

Epigraphs : 

Epigraphs At the beginning of each chapter is a short paragraph from another text--these texts are made up. Chapt 1 starts with a passage from the “Manual of Muad’Dib” by the Princess Irulan. It gives a bit of background about Muad’Dib, who will become an important figure in DUNE. “Arrakis, the planet known as Dune, is forever his place.”

Caladan : 

Caladan Before moving to Arrakis (another PLANET!) Paul and the Atreides live on Caladan, in a castle. Caladan is similar to Earth, with lots of water. An old crone comes to visit--is Paul the “Kwisatz Haderach”? She will test him with a “Gom Jabbar.”

Politics : 

Politics On p. 4, Paul thinks of what Thufir Hawat has told him: For 80 years, House Harkonnen had held Arrakis under a CHOAM contract to mine the spice, melange. House Harkonnen and House Atreides are generational enemies (like France & England). Atreides will take over management of Arrakis--but it will be dangerous.

Paul’s special abilities : 

Paul’s special abilities Always remembers dreams that are predictions. Foreshadowing Fremen in desert caves. Mind-body lessons from mom. She trained him in the Bene Gesserit Way--close observation. Was supposed to be a girl! But mom violated her orders from Reverend Mother.

Paul’s 1st Test : 

Paul’s 1st Test Reverend Mother with Gom Jabbar--uses The Voice on him. Put hand in box, GJ at throat--dies if he moves. POISON! Seldom test men children Litany against fear. Test if he is HUMAN. PAIN--no woman-child withstood so much. “Could he be the one?” p. 10

Litany Against Fear : 

Litany Against Fear I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Why test? : 

Why test? Men turned thinking over to machines p. 11. Bene Gesserit is concerned with breeding. Spacing Guild with pure math. Mentat = like human computer--highly trained mind Paul senses a terrible purpose. Kwisatz Haderach--truthsayer drug to look through inward eye into male and female past lives.

Ch. 2 : 

Ch. 2 To understand Muad’Dib, one must understand Harkonnens. Baron Harkonnen, Feyd-Rautha, and Piter (his mentat assassin) are plotting a trap for Atreides on Arrakis. Duke mentions Kanly = old word for vendetta. OLD HATE. Piter is prideful about his plan--angers his boss. Dr. Yueh will move against Duke soon p. 15

More Politics : 

More Politics Piter thinks Baron moves too fast, will anger Emperor. Sardaukar = storm troopers on steroids. Giedi Prime = Baron’s planet. Baron promised Jessica to Piter Piter is addicted to SPICE

The Plan : 

The Plan Piter explains to Feyd-Rautha (and reader): House Atreides moves to Arrakis Move into Residency at Arrakeen Attempt to kill Paul. Could succeed. Baron wants Paul’s body! Dr. Yueh has Imperial Conditioning. Hawat will suspect Jessica! After Yueh’s deed, move in with Sardauker dressed as Harkonnens! Doing IMPERIAL DIRTY WORK. Will direct CHOAM = $$$$

Plan continues… : 

Plan continues… If Duke tries to run to Fremen, the planetary ecologist, KYNES, will be there to stop him. All the major houses will know; Duke will know that Harkonnen took him out. Will be most feared, most powerful ruler in galaxy, maybe more than Emperor!

Ch. 3 : 

Ch. 3 St. Alia-of-the-Knife: quotation about role of reverend mother. Reverend Mother and Jessica argue about why J had a boy, not a girl. Could have married a girl to a Harkonnen (Feyd) and “sealed the breach.” 3-pt civilization: Imperial, Great Houses, and Guild. Tripod is unstable in politics.

Paul’s Dream Again : 

Paul’s Dream Again Cavern, water, girl with bright blue eyes, telling her about seeing Rev. Mother in Caladan. Knows difference between dreams. Dreamed about her before. She talks about Usul. He thinks Usul might be his NAME. Is he the Kwisatz Haderach? There’s nothing that can be done for the Duke. Maybe can save Paul. He needs to learn the Voice.