Talk:Ghola/Archive 1

Archive 1

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the concept of a Ghola is more likley to be related to the bibilical concept of a "gholum" (i'm sure i misspelled that) than the english word ghoul, esp. considering the purpose of gholas in the story and Frank Herbert's own background and education as well as F. Herbert's own knowledge of Arabic and Islamic culture (and his biblical knowledge). just a thought.

"Golem," and yes, that's what I've always thought, too. Though the suggestion of ghoul is intriguing, since a ghola has to be grown from a dead person, and ghouls come from the dead as well. I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be a reference to both. Nerrin 03:50, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

I have to disagree, ghola's while artificially made are still human and have no inhuman qualities like a golem. Ghoul seems to be more liley to be the refrence. It may be a refrence to the returning of a dead spirit or to the ghoulish practice of harvesting cells from the dead.

Is it worthy of mention that the BG Duncan is the 12th ghola, and the previous 11 are presumed to have been killed by the BT themselves? Tleilax Master B 13:45, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Also, I don't know if its worthy of mention, but there is a great deal of debate over whether or not Hayt (and presumably Chani too would have followed), was actually the "regenerated" (or perhaps "repaired")cadaver of the original Duncan, whereas later in the series Gholas are regrown from just a few cadaver cells. This is clearly the case of the Duncan gholas that Leto II has. Some evidence that Hayt may have been the repaired corpse of Duncan (rather than a new ghola regrown from cadaver cells) includes (all from DM):]

"No Face Dancer," Edric said. "A Face Dancer risks exposure under prolonged surveillance. No; let us assume that our wise Sardaukar commander had Idaho's corpse preserved for the axolotl tanks. Why not? This corpse held the flesh and nerves of one of the finest swordsmen in history, an adviser to the Atreides, a military genius. What a waste to lose all that training and ability when it might be revived as an instructor for the Sardaukar."

"He was killed here on Arrakis . . . a grievous head-wound which required many months of regrowth."

"To strike a bargain, one requires a thing to sell," Scytale said. "Not so, Atreides? Will you have your Chani back? We can restore her to you. A ghola, Atreides. A ghola with full memory! But we must hurry. Call your friends to bring a cryologic tank to preserve the flesh."

Anyway, its worthy of consideration, because at least in Messiah it appears that gholas may be reanimated coprses rather than grown new from a few cells.....Tleilax Master B 14:03, 3 April 2007 (UTC)