Liet-Kynes
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Liet-Kynes is a fictional character in the Dune universe created by Frank Herbert. He was the son of Pardot Kynes, the original imperial planetologist/ecologist of Arrakis, and nominal leader of the Fremen at the start of the Dune novel.
Liet-Kynes was born in the year 10,154 according to the Padishah Imperial Calendar. Kynes was technically only half Fremen, since his father Pardot was a Salusa Secundian. Liet's mother, Frieth was a sister to Stilgar, a future naib of Sietch Tabr. Liet took upon him the traditions of the Fremen society, and became a sand rider already as a youth. When Pardot Kynes died at a cave-in, Liet inherited his father's mantle and served as both the planetary ecologist of Dune and leader of the Fremen in their path towards a green Dune. He continued his father's vision of gradually transforming the planet's climate from a harsh desert into a temperate one.
He died as a result of the Harkonnen/Sardaukar assault on House Atreides; the Harkonnens abandoned him in the desert without water or supplies. When he was close to death he began hallucinating, and heard his father lecturing him over and over again. His last words were: "I am a desert creature!"
Liet-Kynes is notable in that he makes critical thematic contributions to the novel of ecology and economy. Liet-Kynes is perhaps an allusion to the economist John Maynard Keynes who advocated deficit spending during difficult economic times.
Liet-Kynes is also the father of Chani, who becomes the concubine of Paul Atreides.
| Preceded by Pardot Kynes |
Imperial Planetologist of Arrakis 10,174-10,191 |
Succeeded by Title abolished |
[edit] Movies
In the 1984 version of Dune, Liet-Kynes is played by Max von Sydow. In the 2000 mini-series Liet-Kynes was played by Karel Dobrý.
