Heretics of Dune

“How could there be heretical movements among people who held a profoundly manipulative attitude toward all things religious?”

Throughout the novel, the term “heretic” indicates volatile elements that challenge the status quo. Lucilla recognizes the irony of referring to Schwangyu’s protest against the ghola project as heretical, and the comment foreshadows the divisive actions of the novel’s protagonists. Odrade, Teg, and Lucilla each struggle to negotiate their loyalty to the Bene Gesserit and their conscience to protest religious and political subservience and the manipulation of lives.

“The Missionaria Protectiva and the intentions of the Sisterhood counted for everything in Taraza’s universe. Whatever served those intentions, even the machinations of the long-dead Tyrant, could be judged good. All else was evil.”

From Odrade’s perspective, Bene Gesserit’s single-mindedness on securing power for power’s sake creates a worldview without ethical gray areas. Their dichotomous thinking disavows nuances and contradictions, and decisions are valued for satisfying the Sisterhood’s best interests in the long term. Accordingly, the Bene Gesserit represses the full spectrum of emotions that can jeopardize the organization and create torn loyalties. Their combative stance sees the world in an “us versus them” mentality that judges any obstacles to their agenda as “evil” rather than different.

“All of those other lives lay there just beyond the curtain of awareness, tools of survival, not a way to satisfy casual curiosity.”

The Bene Gesserit’s Other Memories allow the Reverend Mothers to access their female lineage’s rich and personal histories. However, retrieving these memories is for strategic purposes, not emotional fulfillment. The memories are called “tools,” suggesting a pragmatic and impersonal relationship with one’s heritage.