Sand and Spice

     Dune is set in the year 10,191 A.G., over 21,000 years in the future in a feudal space fairing society, originating from Earth, in which the Great houses control planetary fiefs. The Atreides family accepts the stewardship of the planet Arrakis, from the Imperial Emperor. The planet is inhospitable and is the only known source of the Spice, melange. A drug that allows for space navigation, extends life and enhances mental abilities. As melange can only be produced on Arrakis, control of the planet is a coveted and a potentially dangerous undertaking, but also potential vast wealth and power. The book explores the interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology as the Great house's, House Atreides, House Harkonnen and House Corrino, the Emperor's house, confront each other in a struggle for Securing power.

     Frank Herbert’s novel is a story of humanity’s mental and social evolution in the far future, control of the spice “melange,” and the people who live on the planet that produces it. The Dune universe is complex from the start, with the twist of a society that has outlawed thinking machines, we can see the familiar concept of a world that revolves around the control of resources or in this case one, melange.

     Melange, also known as “spice,” is a psychotropic drug only found in the deserts of Arrakis. The drug improves vitality, awareness, and lifespan, even more significantly it allows for nearly instantaneous interstellar space travel through its mind expanding effects and is critical for the Spacing Guild to function. Critical for the Bene Gesserit to look inside themselves. It is extremely addictive, and withdrawal is fatal. Because the Imperium, which controls the majority of the planets in the universe, depends entirely on it to maintain its rule, melange is the most valued resource in the universe.

     Arrakis is a brutal planet. The process of mining melange attracts huge sandworms that will defend and eat anything . Fremen, the planet’s indigenous people who want an end to the Harkonnen's. The Fremen also practice a faith called “Zensunni” and await the arrival of a messianic leader who will lead them born to a Bene Gesserit.(A lot of this faith was laid down by the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood).

     Paul’s story has been compared to Lawrence of Arabia. Both figures enter a desert society dominated by foreign powers, including the ones they represent. They both learn how to lead the people. As the wars progress, both characters question their actions while unable to control the forces that have been unleashed. How heroic either of them actually ends up being is up for debate.

Characters

Major Characters

Leto Atreides        10,140 – 10,191 A.G.                  Duke of House Atreides, Father of Paul Atreides.[23] p. 584

Paul Atreides        10,175 -                                          aka Paul Muad'Dib, Sone of Duke Leto II and Lady Jessica.

Irulan Corrino                                                              Princess, Eldest daughter of the emperor Shaddam IV. Bene Gesserit.

Thufir Hawat                                                                Master of Assassins. Mentat, House Atreides.[23] p. 13

Lady Jessica       10,154 – 10,256 A.G.                     Concubine to Duke Leto II, Mother of Paul Atreides. Bene Gesserit.[23] p .584

Shaddam IV         10,134 – 10,202 A.G.                 Padishah Emperor, Father of Irulan Corrino.[23] p. 584

Yueh Wellington 10,082 – 10,191 A.G.                 Medical Doctor Suc School. Teacher to Paul Atreides/ graduated 10,112 A.G.[23] p.15 p.52 

Background Characters

Wanna Marcus       10,092 – 10,186 A.G.               Bene Gesserit, wife to Yueh Wellington.[23] p .52 

Worlds

Arrakis                                     Dune – Desert Planet.(home of spice-worms and Melange)

Caladan                                   Home of House Atreides.

Factions

Bene Gesserit.                       All female order concerned with the Genic lines and the Creation of the Kwisatz Haderach.

CHOAM.                                   Corporate Body responsible for huge manufacturing in the universe.

Emperor.                                 The Imperial House hold.

Fremen                                     Indigenous tribes of Dune.

Spacing Guild.                       Monopoly on space Travel.