A Corrupted World
In the past several posts we have been discussing and pondering over the portrayal of faith in the ‘Dune’ series and the theological concepts presented to viewers. We have yet to discuss the most serious of concepts that the films portray. As I mentioned in my previous post how Frank Herbert was a Christian, and he was very open about portraying Christian beliefs in his landmark sci-fi series. In the first post I explained the lore behind the films, for the benefit of anyone reading this series. A major plot point involves sin and the corruption it brings into our world.
The Righteous Ruler
From the very beginning of the movies, there was tension between House Atreides and House Harkonnen. Paul’s father, Leto Atreides, has many allusions to the righteous rulers throughout the Old Testament. Leto is a just man, who believes in ruling through righteousness and fairness, he truly believes that as a ruler he has a moral imperative. Very much a representation of the righteous rulers in the Old Testament.
The Evil of House Harkonnen
House Harkonnen is very different. Ruled by the insidious Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Harkonnen is extremely reminiscent of the evil rulers depicted in Old Testament history. The Baron rules through manipulation, murder and lies. In a very interesting symbology, The Baron is twisted, not just in mind, but in body as well. His body is a sickening sight, resembling a grotesque slug. Baron Harkonnen ultimately usurps House Atreides, slaughtering Leto, attempting to slaughter Paul, and claims the title, Duke of Arrakis. This is an old story, played throughout history, and in the Old Testament as well. King David was a righteous man, whose own son attempted a coup. Eventually Israel was overtaken by evil rulers, and for centuries Israel was divided in a continual civil war.
In Part 2, there is a new character that further illustrates the depravity of House Harkonnen, Feyde Rautha Harkonnen, nephew of The Baron. Feyde is shown early, display skill and cunning, but has an insatiable desire for blood. The most important plot line of Part 2 is the war between Paul Atreides and Feyde Harkonnen. Feyde is everything that Paul is not. Cruel, malicious and utterly irreligious. Early in the film Feyde scoffs at the Fremen belief in The Coming One. In another scene Feyde meets a member of the Bene Gesserit and makes it clear that he doesn’t believe in, or care for their ideals. When asked what he does believe in he reponds, ‘power’. Ultimately Feyde Harkonnen believes in no god but himself, he has no higher ideals, no desire for any good, he only desires to conquer.
Two Natures Portrayed
This wouldn’t be as important had there not been a very pivotal scene early in the movies when Paul meets the Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit. She puts Paul through a torture test of pain to see how much he is capable of enduring, When Paul questioned the purpose of such a bizarre experiment, he is told that it is a test to determine whether he is a human, or an animal. It is further explained that an animal only understands the base desire to escape pain, whereas a human has the capacity to endure pain. Paul Atreides passes his test with flying colors, showcasing early in the story that Paul isn’t guided by his baser instincts, further showcasing his ability to be guided by a higher purpose.
Destroying Corruption Is Not Pleasant
There is a key difference between Paul and Feyde. Paul has shown an ability to rise above his baser instincts. Paul does have a higher purpose and ideals he strives for. Feyde Harkonnen is little better than an animal, only understanding his blind bloodlust. His uncle, The Baron, for all his cunning is no different. So what we have here is an absolutely tainted bloodline. The entire race of House Harkonnen is corrupted, and the climactic scene where Paul destroys both Feyde and The Baron is reminiscent of God telling Israel to destroy corrupted races, bloodlines, and nations. This is a tenet many Christians want to avoid as it is difficult. After both World Wars, Vietnam, Korea, the Gulf Wars, and witnessing the effects of apartheid laws, the idea of wiping out an entire civilization is not an easy pill to swallow. But perhaps such portrayals as the twisted members of House Harkonnen may help us all understand this concept better.
We All Live In A Corrupted World
This all shows, in neon technicolor, the corrupting effects of sin in our world. In the world of Dune, there is a hard line between good and evil. But in an important twist, Paul himself is not immune to this corruption. Paul struggles with a desire for revenge and the weight of being the Muad’Dib. In Dune, no one is truly safe from corruption. There is always a struggle between right and wrong, choosing the animal and the human.
One crucial topic that appears to be missing from your articles is suicide. It has become one of the world’s most pressing epidemics, affecting countless lives and demanding our collective attention.
Suicide is more common than many of us realize, and it’s something that impacts countless families around the world. It’s a complicated issue, often tied to mental health struggles like anxiety, stress, or addiction. For those who are feeling this way, it can feel like there’s no way out and like they’re completely alone.
But here’s the thing—help is out there, and no one has to face this alone. Talking to someone is such an important first step, and it can make all the difference. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out for support. You’re not alone, and there’s always someone ready to help.
There is no doubt that suicide is pervasive and affecting thousands of families and friends who have lost someone they loved. At some point, I will discuss the mental health epidemic. For right now, I only write when I have something to say, and I currently haven’t found something to say that hasn’t already been covered by more qualified people than me. ‘To Write Love on Her Arms’ in particular is doing some great work on helping with suicide/depression/mental health.