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Duneis full of strange and mystical powers, particularly the prana-bindu disciplines of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. While the Sisters are known to have abilities that border on magic, their power of Voice is the most feared. In fact, the Bene Gesserit keep the rest of the galaxy guessing as to whether the Voice even really exists, the better to maintain their dread reputation.
Readers, on the other hand, are introduced to the Voice early on in the first Dune novel. It makes other appearances throughout the series, but the first is by far the most impactful.
What Does The Voice Do?
The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood’s abilities stem from exercising total control over their own physiology, both internal and external. This includes the Voice, whichmodulates the frequency of spoken wordsto make them impact the listener on a subconscious level. Essntially, the Voice allows the user toissue irresistible commands verbally.
In most cases, the Voice is used for short, easy-to-follow instructions, such as “sit down” or “remain silent.” While it could theoretically be used for long-term conditioning or more complex instructions, the Sisterhood prefers to use more traditional methods such as rumormongering and arranged marriages for their broader goals. It could also be used to incite violence, but again the Sisterhood avoids such overt displays of power.
“Whatever rumors you’ve heard about our schools, the truth is far greater. If I wished to destroy the Duke, or you, or any other person within my reach, you could not stop me.”
-Lady Jessica to Thufir Hawat, Dune
Bene Gesserit training also includes techniques to resist the Voice, but this is primarily used to prevent lower-ranking Sisters from manipulating their superiors. As the series progresses and prana-bindu techniques spread to characters outside the Sisterhood, this power dynamic changes, particularly between Jessica, Alia, and Ghanima. Anyone else, though, from trained Mentats to high nobility, is powerless to resist.
Why Does Jessica Reveal The Voice To Thufir?
In the first part of Dune, Duke Atreides' spymaster Thufir Hawat suspects Lady Jessica of being a Harkonnen spy. When he confronts her, Jessicauses the Voiceto make Thufir sit down and listen to her. Not only does this prevent the spymaster from attacking her, but it also reveals to him that the rumors about the Voice’s existence are true.
Jessica tells Thufir that, armed with the power of the Voice, she could have destroyed the Duke ages ago, or made herself Duchess, or done anything else she might have pleased. Her refusal to do so proves her loyalty. She also tells him that if the Sisterhood used the Voice except when absolutely necessary, the Great Houses would destroy them out of fear; keeping the Voice in reserve is a survival tactic.
