Dune Messiah Literary Elements

Science Fiction

The story takes place twelve years after the events of the first book, Dune. It is mostly set on Arrakis, the desert planet, although some of the action takes place on the other planets in the universe.

It is told from a third-person omniscient narrator.

Tone: The tone is generally somber, foreboding, and ominous.

Mood: The mood is one of dread, tension, and unease.

Protagonist: Paul Atreides (Muad'Dib/Usul) Antagonist: The forces of the Bene Gesserit and the Guild

The major conflict is the battle between Paul Atreides, the Emperor of the Known Universe, and the forces of the Bene Gesserit, Tleilaxu, and the Spacing Guild, who are trying to depose him. Paul's inner turmoil and his struggle to avert the destruction of humanity also play a major role in the conflict.

The climax is when Paul walks into the desert, blind and alone, to escape deification and secure the loyalty of the Fremen for his children, Leto and Ghanima.

The character of Alia Atreides is introduced early in the novel as a child with strange abilities, which foreshadows her eventual role as the leader of the Fremen, and her power and influence over the people of Arrakis.

Hayt's understatement is seen in his response to Alia's question, "What do you see with such eyes?" His response of "What other eyes see" is an understatement of the power and mystery of his artificial eyes.

Jihad is a reference to the Islamic concept of an all-encompassing struggle against evil and injustice. Throughout the novel, Paul Muad'Dib (the protagonist) is seen to be waging a personal jihad against the forces of evil and oppression.

“A flurry of movement erupted at the great doors. A crowd was pressed back from the shadowy room to permit the entrance of officials. Many things began happening all at once: the household guard elbowing and shoving back the press of Supplicants, garishly robed Pleaders trying to break through, shouts, curses. Pleaders waved the papers of their calling. The Clerk of the Assemblage strode ahead of them through the opening cleared by the guard.”

The paradox revolves around the idea that Paul Atreides has become a powerful leader and is attempting to bring peace to the universe, but in the process, he has become a ruthless dictator. He is trying to do the right thing, but in the process of doing so, he has made himself an enemy of many. This leads to the paradox that he is trying to bring peace to the universe, but in the process, he is creating more chaos and unrest.

Paul Atreides is described as both a deity and a messiah, a parallel structure that serves to emphasize his power and importance. Elsewhere, Herbert draws parallels between the Fremen and the Bene Gesserit suggesting that the two groups share a common destiny.

The word "spice" is used as a metonymy to refer to the powerful drug melange, which is highly valued and sought-after throughout the universe.

“The desert beneath the storm had taken on a tawny, restless appearance as though dune waves beat on a tempest shore”