In Frank Herbert’s novel Dune, the reader is introduced to the main character, Paul, in the form of a test. Paul’s humanity is being tested through a painful ordeal that requires enduring an extraordinary amount of pain from an unknown source in a box. Already in the first few chapters of Dune, the reader is thrown headlong into a world that has to be learned and understood through experience reading and immersing themselves in the world. In this way, the reader is similar to Paul, who is about to experience a new and foreign landscape on Arrakis. Through the opening scenes as well, future symbolism is hinted at. The meaning of humanity, fear of the unknown, the significance of family, and superstition are all suggested to be prevalent ideas throughout the novel.
I also think its an interesting way to introduce the reader to the main character through a test of strength. I think the test tells a lot about the world of Dune, because of how important being human is to the Bene Gesserit. Many pivotal details about the people and values of the universe of the book are introduced with the help of Paul's similar point of view.
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