Embedded deep within the story is the age-old question of free will. Paul is hemmed in by both his past and his future, yet there is still room for freedom in that, somehow
Discussion
The characters also stand out. The sage and rugged Stilgar, the valorous Duncan Idaho, the cunning Thufir Hawat, the warrior-poet Gurney Halleck
It's fascinating to me that, in a vast sci-fi universe, the whole story of Dune revolves around a single planet. There is a strong sense of place in Arrakis. The planet feels real, with it's beauties and it's dangers. There's a reminder there not to take home for granted, but to live deeply within it. Place is a part of us
Dune is an antidote to liquid modernity. It is a story about place, about history, about family, friendships, and tribe. It is the opposite of radical individualism and the promise of unlimited potential sold by the modern West. It is filled with reminders of the embedded nature of man. Maybe that's why it has become a classic, and maybe that's why it has proven so hard to adapt to the screen.