Children of Dune

How do families function in the novel? How are filial bonds strengthened or broken? What role does inheritance and legacy play in shaping each character’s relationship to their family’s lineage?

The novel draws a parallel between the educations of Leto and Farad’n. What must they learn or unlearn? What is the outcome of their education? Do they fulfill the expectations of their teachers?

Jessica is an enigmatic character due to her allegiance to three separate powers: the Fremen, the Bene Gesserit, and the Atreides. Which group does Jessica prioritize? Is she capable of balancing all three?

What motivates The Preacher to speak in the streets of Arakkeen? Why does he not reveal his identity as Paul Atreides? How is the role of The Preacher different from or similar to Paul’s previous role as the messiah?

Narratives have the power to create their own truths, such as the messiah myth planted by the Bene Gesserit and the Bene Gesserit’s assertion that Abomination is a doomed condition. What role do myths and stories play in the novel? How do the characters discern the difference between a truth and a lie?

What role do surrogate parents like Stilgar and Irulan or mentors like Lady Jessica play in a character’s upbringing? How might Alia’s life change if she had a different upbringing?

Stilgar, Gurney Halleck, and the ghola Duncan Idaho all serve as allies and/or loyal servants to House Atreides. How do these characters negotiate their moral ideals with the corrupt reality of the Atreides empire? What does Lady Jessica mean when she asserts, “House Atreides has always been essentially an idea” (342)?

Stilgar struggles to maintain his adherence to traditions while avoiding the pitfalls of dogmatism. At the end of the novel, where does his allegiance lie? When is it important to preserve and/or discard the past?