My Senior Blog by Ian Vang

The title of my book is 'Dune' by Frank Herbert and its genre is science fiction. The main character Paul Atreides is the son of a guild’s Duke as well as a witch-like clan mother. The conflict in the story is that Paul’s father made the decision to take over a spice trade on a different planet, the problem is that they were left with very little to no supplies and equipment from the previous traders. They encounter many political issues, physical issues, and environmental issues as the world is a complete desert filled with spice sands. Paul starts to question his identity when time comes for him to take the mantle as Duke and his father dies. He is left with his mother who has trained him in the ways of her clan and he begins to see himself as a freak and monster due to this training. He realizes the power he holds and his purpose on the planet that they are on, as the native’s praise him as their savior/god. The biggest obstacle Paul is facing is his survival as well as his mother’s after they were left in the barren desert with little supplies. This is not his only challenge as he is dealing with the grief of his father’s death and the mantle of Duke.

The most critical moment where Paul goes through an identity crisis is once he and his mother are alone in the desert, and he finds out his father has passed and that he is now the Duke. The author really emphasizes this scene and sets a good tone during the interactions between Paul and his mother. The author uses serious and scary-like interactions such as Paul thinking, “I’m a monster! A freak!”(p.247) then proceeds to demand from his mother, “You! What have you done to me?”(p.248) As his mother tries to calm him she realizes that he is no longer a child but a man, she also claims that when she gave birth to him she wanted him to be superior and different. Paul takes this to heart and says, “Different?”(p.248) with a bitter tone, then right as his mother starts to talk he says, “You didn’t want a son! You wanted a Kwisatz Haderach!* You wanted a male Bene Gesserit!*”(p.248) Thus implying that he feels she never actually wanted to have a son but a pawn for something larger, someone who can bring light to the natives on the planet they’re on as well as possible the world. This interaction shows how the author used tone as well as a build-up of tension within the story to lead up to this outburst/crisis from Paul.

Connections that I could make with Paul is that I’ve experienced my own identity crisis. I’ve pondered the very thought of why I exist or who I am. The idea of what our purpose is and why we do the things we do, as well as who I am to be in the future or do with my life. This was an issue of mine for a while until I sat down and really thought about what I wanted for myself in life, only then I realized my worth and goal in life. Another connection that I can make in relation to the book is the movie, “Dune.” The movie in itself has this scene played out perfectly, as it shows the emotions of the characters on screen and the tension between Paul and his mother. Having watched the movie, it allows me to picture the interaction in the book as well as feel and see all the emotions of the characters. These are the connections that I have to my book, “Dune.”

*Kwisatz Haderach - “Shortening of the Way.” This is a label applied by the Bene Gesserit to the unknown for which they sought a genetic solution: a male Bene Gesserit whose organic mental powers would bridge space and time.

*Bene Gesserit - the ancient school of mental and physical training established primarily for female students after the Butlerian Jihad destroyed the so-called “thinking machines” and robots.

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