How It All Goes Down
- The parade of character introductions continues: Dr. Yueh enters the room after Paul's workout with Gurney.
- Outwardly, Yueh tells Paul about the lessons he's prepared. They all deal with aspects of Arrakis: the Fremen, the sandworms, the spice.
- Inwardly, Yueh laments that his traitorous actions will cause Paul's death.
- Before the Duke arrives, Yueh gives Paul a present, a copy of the Orange Catholic Bible. Since this is a science fiction story, the mechanics of opening the book take an entire page to explain.
- Yueh asks Paul to read his favorite quote, but Paul accidentally opens to another passage: "Think you of the fact that a deaf person cannot hear. Then, what deafness may we not all possess? What senses do we lack that we cannot see and cannot hear another world all around us? What is there around us that we cannot—" (5.44).
- This passage is a favorite of Wanna, Yueh's dead wife. Hearing it, an immense grief wells up in the doctor—both regarding his wife and his ultimate betrayal of Paul.
- Paul agrees to keep the gift a secret. Yueh leaves the room, cursing the Harkonnens one last time for choosing him to betray the Atreides. Just in case you weren't picking up what Herbert was setting up.