DUNE: Chapter Twelve Thoughts

And so we continue with the reading of Dune.

The Opening Quote

Oh you who know what we suffer here, do not forget us in your prayers.

—Inscription over the exit to the Arrakeen landing field

This is likely an allusion to the inscription over the gates of hell in The Inferno.

It’s mentioned that the quote is crudely carved. It makes sense that a statement like that isn’t official. Still it being carved rather than painted is interesting. Someone took time to do this. I’m not sure there is much to it.

It’s possible the carving doesn’t exist at all. Irulan is writing religious propaganda. The allusion to The Inferno may be intentional within the narrative. She’s alluding to religious sources to invoke religious sentiment. Whether it reflects actual events is irrelevant.

I suspect the quote isn’t a misdirection per se. It does have a double meaning, though. Arrakis is hell. The fall of House Atreides will be hell. The quote itself points to this by mentioning the attempt on Paul’s life.

Before the Conference

The whole theory of warfare is calculated risk… but when it comes to risking your own family, the element of calculation gets submerged in… other things.

—Duke Leto, on the attempt on Paul’s life

This suggests Leto:

  • Sees the situation as a war.

  • Brought his family to the war.

  • Didn’t think about the risk to his family of doing so.

Either that, or it’s an explanation to Paul why he’s more angry that he should be at this. If that’s it, then it’s probably a good lesson for Paul. Though, in this chapter, Paul doesn’t seem to need many lessons.

Leto recognizing the maturity his son is displaying is a nice moment.

Realizing that Thufir will punish himself enough, and that what is needed is giving him support is a good bit of leadership. Dune definitely has a view on how leaders should behave, and, beyond buying concubines from convents and keeping them bound to you, I think it’s a fairly good view. Though, I suppose it’s not all that nuanced yet. Leto seems to feel back and forth between reasonable and a dick, but then that is exactly the problem Jessica described.

I know who my true friends are, Thufir… call in the men.

—Duke Leto, on refusing Thufir’s resignation

This seems likely to be true. The only person the Harkonnens could get to turn on Leto is Dr. Huey, who isn’t part of Leto’s staff.

The Conference

Paul confirming that Leto said they exact right thing is a bit annoying. That said, there is a feel to that sort of thing, and there are right and wrong things to say to an audience. So, maybe it’s worth pointing out.

Some of the people at the table aren’t given names or roles. It’s not a problem, but it’s a little jarring to be in a meeting of Leto’s senior lieutenants, and have the book say, essentially, “some guy asked a question.” Why give up the opportunity to add layers to the question by putting it in the mouth of a person we could know?

Unless we’re looking at this from Paul’s point-of-view, and Paul doesn’t know who everyone is.

Also, Thufir saying Duncan Idaho says they are to be admired is not an answer to the question whether Thufir likes them.

There is someone named “Liet” who all the Fremen give their allegence to. If I remember correctly, that’s Kynes, but I could be misremembering. Either way, there is a central authority for the Fremen, sort of.

“Romantic businessmen,” is a great euphemism for smuggler.

The co-opting of the smugglers is a common thread that I’ve seen. I’m assuming it’s something with precedent in history, such as during the American Revolution, maybe? Might be worth looking at.

We’re presently in a war of assassins

—Duke Leto on the conflict with the Harkonnens

Maybe I was wrong about the meaning of ‘assassin’ changing. It sure seems to be used in the traditional way there.

Paul’s concern about Leto confiscating the property of the Harkonnen agents they’ve killed and tossing their families into the street makes some sense. And I assume he is supposed to be correct. It feels like this is here to illustrate why Leto had no future. Still, Paul is only right if the Harkonnen agents were fighting less hard than they could before, which we’ve not seen any indication of.

I have been a stranger in a strange land.

—Gurney Halleck on dispossessing the families of Harkonnen agents

This is likely a reference to Exodus 2:22:

And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

Paul takes this as Halleck disagreeing with the Duke’s action, so it likely is. It’s a bit of an odd quote for that. I suppose it is intended to contrast Leto’s treatment of the Harkonnen agents with how Reuel treats Moses. If so, it’s missing an important aspect of the story in the Bible, which is that Moses helped Reuel’s family before he was welcomed, rather than him trying to kill Reuel’s family. But, maybe there is a piece I’m missing.

Duncan Idaho and Stilgar

Both Duncan and Stilgar are introduced.

If Duncan had spent that much time with the Fremen, you’d think he’d have had a hint of the importance of a crysknife to them. It’s possible it never came up, but even that would have been telling. So, why does Duncan rush into the conference with one, risking a breach with the Fremen he’s trying to cultivate an alliance with.

These people are the worst at diplomacy.

He was a leader—a Fremen leader.

—Paul getting fluttery about Stilgar

Granted, the Duke’s men are the worst here, but Stilgar does make quite a deal over the knife. I suppose the reference here is to Sihk practices, but still. Not permitting those who have seen a crysknife to leave the planet seems impossible to enforce. I can understand a need to show proper respect, but this does seem unreasonable. As far as I’m aware, Gurkha aren’t worked up over others seeing their knives. They are tools. Though, that’s probably worth looking into.

The spitting scene is nice, though.

Liet also serves to masters.

OK, that’s right. The crysknife is a badge of belonging. You have a crysknife, you’re a Fremen. If they allow others to see them, then others will be able to infiltrate their society. It’s a little hard to understand how that has worked over time, but I suspect we’re not supposed to think about that.

Paul realizes from his father’s manner after the meeting that things aren’t going well for the Atreides. Needing five battalions of Fremen before the first CHOAM audit seems unreasonable of a people who haven’t exactly agreed to join your side yet. If that is what is needed, then Duke Leto never really had a chance. Leto’s biggest failing as a leader is lacking the time to build the coalition he needed.

Character First Thoughts

  • Duncan Idaho: (I assume we’ll get a first thought later.)

  • Stilgar: (I assume we’ll get a first thought later.)

Conclusion

As we wrap up chapter twelve, my question is:

  • If Paul is supposed to be the charismatic leader we should avoid, what should we think about his views on leadership?