plots within plots, wheels within wheels, bla bla bla

[AeonGrey]

Hey, first off I don't want this post to seem like I'm dissing Frank in anyway.  I love his stuff and I'm on my third reading of Dune.  Anyway, I'm confused as to all this talk of "wheels within wheels" and plots within plots and just things within other things in general.  I'm not sure I understand why his work is referred to in this way....could someone please give me a specific example of something from Dune that is a "plot within a plot".  Thanks.

[Mahdi]

An example?  Ok.

The Tlielaxu, Bene Gesserit, and Guild conspire to assasinate Muad'Dib.

But the Tlielaxu plan to betray there fellow traitors and instead of killing Muad'Dib, force Hayt to recover his past memories, something never before possible for a ghola.

Then to use said Ghola as a bargaining chip to convince Muad'Dib to make a Ghola of his wife in return for handing over his CHOAM directorships to the Tlielaxu.

Plans within plans, wheels within wheels.

[AeonGrey]

ok....i see your point.  i must just be dumb cuz i never pick up on that stuff so well in these books.

[Inoculator9]

It's complicated stuff. I had occassion to re-read one or two chapters in the mid books to keep myself straight ;)

[Andrew]

You usually understand everything after reading the books twice.

[Dante]

Or just through being extra devious yourself... Though reading twice does help.

Try setting up a complicated scheme yourself to see if you can understand the method better.