what would a book club be without discussion questions?
From worldssmallestbookclubdotcom:
Each chapter of Dune begins with a fictional epigraph from the writings of Princess Irulan. What purpose do you think these quotations are meant to serve? Do you think they were used effectively?
A lot of information and backstory is contained in the Appendices that follow the main novel. Do you feel some of this information should have been integrated into the text? Why or why not?
Sci-fi and fantasy novels often contain a number of newly created words that the reader has to learn. What do you think is the best way to introduce these new terms, based on your reading history? Do you think Herbert used non-English language effectively in this novel?
Dune uses many words that are directly taken or derived from Arabic and Farsi. Do you feel this use of another culture’s language was purposefully and respectfully done? Why or why not?
Consider the female characters of this novel: how they are portrayed, and what roles they play in the story. Do you find they meet, exceed, or fall short of your personal expectations for female characters in literature? Why?
The Fremen are arguably the most interesting part of Dune. Why do you think this is? What is it about Fremen culture (or the way it’s written) that makes it fascinating to learn more about?
“The people who can destroy a thing, they control it.” Consider this quote in the frame of our world today – environmentalism, politics, civil rights, etc. Do you think it holds true?
There are a number of quotes from Frank Herbert discussing heroes and his intentions in exploring the hero’s journey in Dune. For instance: “Don’t give over all of your critical faculties to people in power, no matter how admirable those people may appear to be. Beneath the hero’s facade you will find a human being who makes human mistakes. Enormous problems arise when human mistakes are made on the grand scale available to a superhero.” Do you think Herbert successfully conveys this message in Dune? Why or why not?
According to Wikipedia, “Frank Herbert’s Dune series is a landmark of soft science fiction. In it, he deliberately spent little time on the details of its futuristic technology so he could devote it chiefly to addressing the politics of humanity, rather than the future of humanity’s technology.” Other examples of “soft science fiction” include The Left Hand of Darkness and Frankenstein. Do you think sci-fi has shifted more towards its “soft” side as the genre has progressed or does the balance shift back and forth?
What novels have you read where you can see Dune’s possible influence? What form does this influence take (subject matter, worldbuilding, narrative structure, etc.)?
From SparkNotes (yeah, THAT Sparknotes!)
Describe Paul’s relationship to the Fremen. Do they use Paul to achieve their ends, or does Paul use them?
Dune has been referred to as “science fiction’s supreme masterpiece,” yet science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke said only J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, could match it. Is Dune is a work of science fiction or a work of fantasy?
Discuss the role of loyalty in Dune.