House Corrino - Entry #2

So let's talk about the Bene Gesserits for a bit.  The next few quotes that I highlighted  from the book are about the lovely witches.

How about this chapter starter?

What can I say about Jessica?  Given the opportunity, she would attempt Voice on God.

-- REVEREND MOTHER GAIUS HELEN MOHIAM

(House Corrino, p. 156)

First and foremost, this is spoken like a true mother of a willful child.  For those who know "Voice" and know my willful child, you know what I mean.  Strong will such as expressed by this statement is remarkable although certainly trying for the mother trying to manage it.

And then there is "Voice".  As best as I can tell, Frank Herbert's idea of "Voice" is unprecedented.  But others latched on to the idea, for example, the Jedi in Star Wars have the power of "Voice", otherwise known as old Jedi mind trick.  But then Brian Herbert, who most certainly must have been a Star Wars fan, lifts the term from Star Wars and plucks it back into Dune!  Consider the passage below in which Rund, a Richesian researcher, is explaining to his peers why he could recall what was discussed at a meeting on Wallach IX with the Bene Gesserits while his peers could not.

Rund said without looking up, "My mind has been through the rigors of Mentat training.  Maybe I have some ability to resist Bene Gesserit mind tricks." (House Corrino, p. 248)

The witches had used a Bene Gesserit resonance voice technique to make the researchers forget what actually was discussed at their meeting on Wallach IX ... Bene Gesserit mind tricks.

The minds and bodies of the Bene Gesserits are well-trained in many techniques.  But the Reverend Mothers are always in jeopardy of being overwhelmed by the voices within, the voices from Other Memory.  The Kwisatz Mother, Anirul, who is also Emperor Shaddam's wife, violates her training by probing Other Memory to find her dear friend Lobia.  Anirul noticed her first dangerous steps that would lead her to insanity.  After Lobia had died, she had gone to Lobia's quarters as an "appropriate, contemplative place for Anirul to organize her private thoughts" (House Corrino, p. 203).

She was sure Lobia would approve.  "Wouldn't you, old friend?"  The sound of her own voice startled her, and Anirul fell silent again, surprised that she had begun talking to herself.  (House Corrino, p. 203)

And so begins Anirul's path to insanity.