Reflection on Dune

In appendix three Herbert blows everyone's mind away by implying that there is some grander scheme controlling the Bene Gesserit. After the initial shock of "did he just write that?" it made sense that Herbert would have some unknown group playing puppetmaster to the B.G. Throughout Dune he mentions "feints within feints within feints" or "plans within plans within plans" a couple of times and manipulation pops up every now and then so it's not out of left field. I think what is so shocking to readers is that it is the Bene Gesserit who are the ones being manipulated. When Gurney or a few people are manipulated, it is understandable. But for all of the B.G., who pride themselves on their acute senses and knowledge, to be unaware of this manipulation makes it even more shocking. I wish that Herbert had revealed this grander scheme instead of leaving us all in suspense.

This may seem like a conspiracy theory, but what if one or more of the members of this grander scheme was the implied writer. Who else could cover the multiple points of view? At first I thought maybe Alia in all her Reverend-Mother knowledge, but she wouldn't be able to get Hawat and Yueh's perspective. It's written with such detail that it seems fresh, but it couldn't be right after the Arrakis Affair given that Princess Irulan wrote practically a billion books that are quoted. Speaking of which, she had way too much time on her hands. But I found it interesting that she never refers to Paul as Paul or Duke or Emperor. It's always Muad'dib. She seems to have as much faith in Muad'dib as the Fremen. Why else would she focus all of her attention on him? I think it demonstrates what side of Paul showed her when he had to interact with her. Usul was reserved for Chani, Duke for his subjects, and Muad'dib for the followers and Fremen. In regards to the implied reader, I have no idea. It doesn't seem to adhere to only one group.