Dune - Entry #4

It is time to say a bit more about Thufir Hawat.  Thufir: mentat, assassin, served three generations of Atreides.  On page 186, Paul recalls Thufir saying to him: "Parting with people is a sadness; a place is only place" (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 186).  This had been in response to a question from Paul about leaving Caladan for Arrakis.  Wonderful words of wisdom.

I have already talked about the confrontation between Thufir and Lady Jessica which was one of the most intense confrontations yet.  However, the chapter beginning on page 204 and ending on page 214, that is mostly composed of a confrontation/negotiation between Thufir and an unnamed Fremen, is a masterpiece worth reading over and over.  In this chapter Thufir finds out that the Fremen can beat Sardaukar better than any other fighting force known to man.  The mastery of the dialogue is truly in the spotlighting of the different cultural views that Thufir and the Fremen individually bring to the negotiations.  I am just going to supply some of the quotes here but, really, go and read this chapter again and again.

     The Fremen gestured to Hawat's tunic, the skin exposed beneath it.  "You were caught in-sietch, without your suits.  You must make a water decision, friend."  (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 207)

      "Ah-h-h-h."  The Fremen removed his hand from his weapon.  "You think we have the Byzantine corruption.  You don't know us.  The Harkonnens have not water enough to buy the smallest child among us."  (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 207)

     "It was a good fight," the Fremen said.  "we lost only two men and spilled the water from more than a hundred of theirs."
     There were Sardaukar at every gun, Hawat thought.  This desert madman speaks casually of losing only two men against Sardaukar!
     "We would not have lost the two except for those others fighting beside the Harkonnens," the Fremen said.  "Some of those are good fighters."  (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 209)

     Hawat's aide spoke slowly, disbelief in every word: "You ... captured Sardaukar?"
     "Only three of them," the Fremen said.  "they fought well."  (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 210)

     "Stop right where you are!" Hawat barked.  He fought down the sick fatigue that gripped his muscles.  "These people respect our dead. Customs differ, but the meaning's the same."
    "They're going to render Arkie down for his water," the man with the lasgun snarled.
    "Is it that your men wish to attend the ceremony?" the Fremen asked.
    He doesn't even see the problem, Hawat thought.  The naivete of the Fremen was frightening.  (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 211)

     "We will kill Harkonnens," the Fremen said.  He grinned.  "And Sardaukar."  (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 211)

    Presently, dust settled.  Only Fremen remained standing.
    "They left only three men in their 'thopter," the Fremen beside Hawat said.  "That was fortunate.  I don't believe we had to damage the craft in taking it."
    Behind Hawat, one of his men whispered: "Those were Sardaukar!"
   "Did you notice how well they fought?" the Fremen asked.  (Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition, p. 213)