Dec 31, 2009

Dune | Ideas for Reports and Papers

1. Study the critics' objections to the anthropological content of Dune. To what did anthropologists object? Are any of their objections valid? Are there any real-life desert peoples who have adapted to their environment in ways similar to the Fremen? Does Herbert's anthropology of the Fremen enhance or hurt the novel?

2. Herbert contended that Dune was about the dangers of charismatic leadership. What did he mean by this? Paul's leadership seems well intentioned. Why, then, is it potentially harmful?

3. Read Dune Messiah, Readers are strongly divided...