Legends of Dune - Themes

Themes

One theme of the series is the fragile nature of history; the events from the first two books are later altered by the passage of time, both intentionally and unintentionally. One of the epigraphs in the book refers to Mao Zedong as a 'Philosopher of Old Earth'. Xavier Harkonnen begins as a legitimately idolized hero, and eventually becomes unjustifiably demonized as a villain. One of the protagonists, Vorian Atreides, remarks at one point, "Don't quote history books to me. You have no right: you weren't there. I was."

In addition, a state-sanctioned religion builds up around the 'Three Martyrs': Serena Butler, Iblis Ginjo, and Manion Butler. They form a mother-father-child trinity, which has become accepted as actual religious truth by the time of the events depicted in Dune. One of the more philosophical characters in the series points out that, throughout human history, leaders have harnessed the collective madness of holy war for their own purposes. The power of religion, and its manipulation, is itself a major theme in Frank Herbert's original Dune series.

One of the few characters to survive the entire series is Vorian Atreides. Shocked by the things he has seen and done over the course of the war, he decides that he deserves an indefinite holiday. Using the ship he began the series in, the Dream Voyager, he sets off through the stars. That is one final theme of the series: those who try to leave a mark on history succeed as often as they fail.