dune chapter 6

Dune chapter 6: How do we approach the study of Muad'Dib's father? A man of surpassing warmth and surprising coldness was the Duke Leto Atreides. Yet, many facts open the way to this Duke: his abiding love for his Bene Gesserit lady; the dreams he held for his son; the devotion with which men served him. You see him there- a man snared by Destiny, a lonely figure with his light dimmed behind the glory of his son. Still, one must ask: What is the son but an extension of the father?
~ from "Muad'Dib, Family Commentaries" bu the Princess Irulan

In this chapter we get to see the Duke Leto interact with his on Paul.

Many things become clear. Leto mentions that he is a leader of sorts for the Great Houses in the Landsraad. Leto also knows that he and his family are in grave danger, but is willing to step into the trap he knows is there. The potential rewards are as great as the danger.

The risks are not only from military attack from the Harkonnen and possibly from the Emporer - but they also face a possible attack on an economic front. Arrakis is the only sourse of the most priceless substance in the galaxy - the spice melange. The Harkonnen have undoubtedly been stockpiling melage for two decades. If they can cripple productin under the Atreides, they can cause economic troubles and ripples throughout the galaxy, while cleaning up themselves on the markets from their stockpiles. This will bring enmity and isolation upon House Atreides, and undermine Leto's leadership among the great Houses.

Leto tells Paul that he believes that the dreaded Imperial troops, the Sardauker, come from the hell world of Salusa Secundis. The horrible environmental conditions there form the toughest fighters in the galaxy. Paul is quick to make the connection with the Fremen on Arrakis. can those people, who live in conditions every bit as bad, also be formed into a force of elite and dreaded fighters? A force who will support the Atreides?

This is really where I start to wonder what Leto is up to. What does he want this elite force for? Is it just to protect his family from the Harkonnen and the Emperor , or does he have Imperial ambitions himself? The Emperor only has daughters...and from the Dune Houses series, we know that Leto is a cousin of Shaddam, and that Shaddam has killed all of his more closely related male relatives. Does Leto wish to sieze power, perhaps marry his son to one of the Imperial daughters? Does he want his children or grandchildren to rule the galaxy? Or does he really only wish to protect his family from evil and debased enemies?

We end with the note that Paul has the sort of mind that he could become a mentat with the right sort of training. He agrees to receive that training...