Dune as a parable for the war on terror

self ^ | 09/28/2006 | self

[Grig]

There are lots of things in the setting that work out like that:

Frement = muslims
spice = oil
dune = middle east
etc.

but as far as the plot goes, I don't see much of a fit.

[Grig]

And I just don't get God Emperor of Dune. Can someone explain that one to me?

[dr_lew]

That's where I learned the word "jihad". I feel like I remember a lot of it, but it's certain things that stand out. For example, his vision of the jihad which rose like a mountain before him, so that even if he didn't see the path to it, he knew of its inevitable arrival. Sometimes I feel that way about a Hillary presidency.

[gonzo]

Care to jump in, pal?..................FRegards

[MadIvan]

My website (and credentials):

The Sietch.

The parallels are interesting but not complete.

Regards, Ivan

[MirrorField]

You shouldn't read too much about "War on Terror" in Dune: Original trilogy was published in 1965 and Frank Herbert himself died in 1986.

ObQuote:
"When politics and religion travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. The movement becomes headlong -- faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thought of obstacles and forget that a precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it's too late."
--A Bene Gesserit saying

[Nachum]

Seems there is a lot to read into it.

[Smokin' Joe]

The buddislamics and the Orange Catholic bible imply the melding of currently immisciable religous groups. It is a story, enjoy it for what it is.

[Bob Ireland]

***Care to jump in, pal?***

Eh.... Seems well covered here in the main.

Tolkien would have bristled at the idea that his fantasy-work was thematic... yet it is inescapable. Peter Jackson put a fine edge upon the anti-industrial idea by portraying Saruman ripping up the forest and gouging the earth for great weapons forges; the 'revenge of the trees' harkens back to ancient Nordic tales. ...and of course the whole treatment of war in LOTR conjures spectres of Tolkien's WWI experiences of horror and futility.

As for DUNE, I have always presumed that Herbert probably thought that obscure Muslim terms would never enter the popular lexicon... but I am not a real student of Herbert or his world-views.

FRODO LIVES!!! ;-)

FReegards...

[Hi Heels]

I have them on tape, but it jest ain't the same....

[hattend]

Or get the DVDs.

[roaddog727]

I have been thinking the same thing for many years.

[hattend]

Dune:

http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Herberts-Miniseries-Directors-Special/dp/B0000639EV/sr=1-2/qid=1159990473/ref=sr_1_2/002-3424602-6364837?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

Children of Dune:

http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Herberts-Children-Dune-Miniseries/dp/B00008RUYH/sr=1-1/qid=1159990473/ref=sr_1_1/002-3424602-6364837?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

[Rb ver. 2.0]

The fat guy that blows up reminds me of Michael Moore.

[Nachum]

I rented the made for TV miniseries and have viewed them. Even though much of the plot line comes through, it just doesn't have the same flavor of the book. It was especially disappointing when they ignored the weirding modules in the Dune remake and then again subtly changed Paul's thoughts in Dune Messiah when he destroys the face dancer (Skytale?) using the infant children's eyes to see.

Ah well, nothing is as interesting as the book, is it.