Independent Reading Journal

Dune by Frank Herbert. berkley Books. 1965.

So the Atreides are still preparing for their move to Arrakis. Paul is having more encounters with the Reverend Mother who thinks he may be the Kwisatz Haderach. The Kwisatz Haderach is a kind of chosen one - a male who is powerful enough to be able to join the otherwise exclusively female Bene Gesserit. Obviously this test involving the poisoned needle had some significance. Not only is Paul finding out more about the Bene Gesserit, but the reader also gets a glimpse into the Harkonnens plans. the Harkonnen house is the sworn enemy of the Atreides House. For one reason or another the incredibly fat Harkonnen Baron despised Duke Atreides and wants nothing more than to see him defeated. The mastermind behind the Harkonnen plot divulges this plan to the Harkonnen Baron's heir. He tells of several distractions being created once the atreides arrive on Arrakis. There will be an "attempt" on Paul's life, which if all goes as planned will not succeed and serve only as a distraction. In addition to this the Harkonnens will stir up uprosings in various areas if the planet. One House Atreides has been thoroughly distracted and stretched thin, the harkonnens will swoop in with two legions of Imperial soldiers disguised as Harkonnens. I am not entirely sure as to why Imperial soldiers are going to be used. the Baron says they are doing the Emperor's dirty work... Anyway, there should be some excitement coming up. I can feel the tensions building.