Topic E
April 16, 2015
By Annie Murphy
A
universe filled with strange creatures and technologies, the world of Dune, in all of its complexities, starts
at the home of the main character, Paul. Although the author wastes no time
fully emerging the reader into the terminology and beliefs of several
characters in the first few pages, Frank Herbert choses to show the reader Paul
where he is comfortable right before he is taken somewhere in his families
impending move that will make him uncomfortable, and possibly scare him. This
setting is an important way to start the novel because it demonstrates a
starting point for not only the plot but for the characters before they face
serious conflict. Paul’s home is significant because there he shows confidence,
strength, and knowledge, which he will probably have to prove he has throughout
the plot of the novel. It is also significant because he and his parents are
about to move to a new planet and face danger, as warned to them by the Mother
Superior in her visit, which is described in the beginning of the story. His
home is where Paul is safe, confident, and surrounded by people to take care of
him, but, as he sees in one of his dreams, he will soon not have any of that.
It is important for readers to see Paul in this element before seeing him
tested and challenged later. Paul’s home is a symbol of comfort for his naïve self-confidence,
which will likely be stripped away from him in coming conflict.
I agree with the feeling that Paul will lose his sense of safety and protection in the future, but it seems that it's already begun. When Paul's tested whether he's a human or not, he's already been taken out of his comfort zone. Having a small panic attack and going through pain through the nerves because of the test is proof that his protection has already been snatched. Later when he's with his combat teacher, his teacher becomes serious and goes after Paul, teaching him that it'll be deadly in the future. The "calm before the storm" as you described it as has already been broken and the conflicts/dangers have already arrived.
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