Proper Preparation

In looking at issues for my discussion of Dune in class, I chose Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein as a similar novel. One of the most significant aspects of the main characters of each book, Paul and Mike, are that they are entirely prepared by their upbringing to take the place of Messiah offered to them. For Paul, fortune tto have been born into wealth, as well as the aspirations of those around him, such as his mother, aided him in his command of the Fremen. However, a mother's hopes are not reason enough to teach a young boy every aspect of human nature needed to conquer a world and a race.

The effective use by Paul, trained in such efficiency, of the religious system around him was another piece of intellect he was trained in inadvertently. While it was fate, engineered or not, that allowed Paul to fit Fremen prophecy, the fact that he succeeded was entirely fortunate. The way he followed to become leader was dangerous enough, but only his preparation in so many social areas allowed him to win.