How did Frank Herbert use his research into social sciences such as history, psychology, and linguistics to develop the world of Dune? Although Dune has been heralded as a world-building masterpiece, there has been little exploration of how he crafted the novel in a way that downplays technology and emphasizes the human mind and body. What follows is a summary of the key points in my recently published academic article on this topic. It discusses how the Spacing Guild, Mentats, and Bene Gesserit are shown as groups that seem necessary in the wake of the Butlerian Jihad and banning of
Read moreThe Bene Gesserit’s Vocal Analysis Skills in the Voice and Truthsaying
The Bene Gesserit can control other people just by using their voice in Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune (1965). They can also determine whether someone is telling the truth. These techniques are based on humans’ ability to modify their language and tone when they communicate. This article explores the Bene Gesserit’s skills in the Voice and Truthsaying as the fifth in a multi-part series on their abilities. (See part 1, real-world influences; part 2, nerve and muscle control; part 3, schooling in espionage and politics; and part 4, perception and memory.) The Voice is one of the few skills
Read moreThe Bene Gesserit’s Perception and Memory
The Bene Gesserit women in Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune (1965) are detail-oriented to the extreme and possess extraordinary perceptive abilities. But they can also take a bird’s-eye view of life through their access to ancestral memories via Other Memory. This article explores these aspects of their skillset, as the fourth in a multi-part series on the Bene Gesserit’s abilities. (See part 1, real-world influences; part 2, nerve and muscle control; and part 3, schooling in espionage and politics.) The Study of Perception The characterization of the Bene Gesserit reflects Herbert’s interest in psychology, particularly the study of perception
Read moreThe Bene Gesserit’s Schooling in Espionage and Politics
Knowledge is power, and the Bene Gesserit women in Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune (1965) don’t leave school until they have learned languages, politics, espionage, and other subjects in preparation for their roles as members or agents of this secretive organization. This article explores these aspects of their training, as the third in a multi-part series on the Bene Gesserit’s abilities. (See part 1, real-world influences, and part 2, nerve and muscle control.) Women in Espionage Although what comes to mind when you think of a well-trained agent or spy may not be a woman, historically women have “effectively
Read moreThe Bene Gesserit’s Nerve and Muscle Control
Suspending oneself in hibernation, controlling pregnancies, and besting others in hand-to-hand combat are just some of the bodily abilities the Bene Gesserit women in Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune (1965) unlock through their rigorous prana-bindu training. This article explores these aspects of their skillset as the second in a multi-part series on the Bene Gesserit’s abilities. The foundation of the Bene Gesserit’s self-determination is their training in prana-bindu, which gives them precise control over every nerve and muscle in the body. The Sanskrit origin of these terms points to a connection with Eastern philosophies and traditions around the mind-body
Read moreWho Are the Bene Gesserit
The women of the Bene Gesserit in Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune train themselves in rigorous control of body and mind to gain a wide array of skills. With religion as a cover, they use these skills to wield political influence under the noses of the Imperium’s most powerful rulers. What kind of skills? The Bene Gesserit can: choose when to conceive and the sex of their fetus gain expanded consciousness of their female ancestor’ memories implant phrases in others’ subconscious to control them in the future alter the chemical composition of poisons in their body to make them
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