Gom Jabbar
the high handed enemy
The gom jabbar was a handheld needle tipped with meta-cyanide poison that brought almost instant death. The Bene Gesserit used it to enforce their test of humanity, holding it to a subject's neck to measure whether awareness could master instinct in the face of pain.
The gom jabbar, also known as the high handed enemy, was a handheld needle tipped with meta-cyanide poison. When driven into a victim it brought almost instantaneous death. The Bene Gesserit made extensive use of it, above all in their test of the humanity of certain individuals. (Dune; Children of Dune)
Form and effect#
The gom jabbar was a small handheld needle whose tip was coated with meta-cyanide, a poison so swift that a single strike brought almost instantaneous death. Its name, recorded in the Terminology of the Imperium as the high handed enemy, reflected its use as an instrument of absolute and immediate threat. (Dune; Children of Dune)
The test of humanity#
The Bene Gesserit made extensive use of the gom jabbar when they tested the humanity of certain individuals. In such circumstances the device was placed against the subject's neck, acting as a deterrent against the subject backing out of the test, which usually involved great physical pain. The test determined whether an individual's awareness was stronger than their instincts. If awareness of the gom jabbar's presence was strong enough, it would override the instinct to withdraw from the pain. Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam used this method against Paul Atreides before his arrival on Arrakis. Among those recorded as having survived the gom jabbar test were Mother Superior Darwi Odrade and the She-Seer Sheeana Brugh. (Dune; Heretics of Dune)
Frequently asked questions
- What is the gom jabbar?
- The gom jabbar, also known as the high handed enemy, was a small handheld needle tipped with meta-cyanide poison. A single strike brought almost instantaneous death.
- How did the Bene Gesserit use the gom jabbar?
- The Bene Gesserit used it in their test of the humanity of certain individuals, placing it against the subject's neck as a deterrent against backing out of the test, which usually involved great physical pain. The test determined whether a subject's awareness was stronger than their instincts.
- Who used the gom jabbar on Paul Atreides?
- Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam used the gom jabbar test against Paul Atreides before his arrival on Arrakis.
- Who survived the gom jabbar test?
- Among those recorded as having survived the gom jabbar test were Mother Superior Darwi Odrade and the She-Seer Sheeana Brugh.
Gallery
Images via Dune Wiki
Sources
- BookDune, Frank Herbert, Chilton Books, 1965
- BookChildren of Dune, Frank Herbert, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1976
- BookHeretics of Dune, Frank Herbert, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1984
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
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