When Is A Gift Not A Gift? - WordReference Forums

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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. When is a gift not a gift?

• Thread starter Thread starter theseus_
• Start date Start date Nov 1, 2021

theseus_

Senior Member

chinese Is "When is a gift not a gift?" a proverb or a riddle ? What is it meaning? I think maybe is A gift is too expensive,so it isn't a gift actually？ Context： Speaker A -- (Face to C.) How can the Emperor take everything we've built and give it to that Duke? How? Speaker B -- Don't be too sure it's an act of love. Speaker A -- (Have a look at B, than face to C.) What does he mean? Speaker C -- When is a gift not a gift? The Dukes' voice is rising,and the Emperor is a jealous man.A dangerous, jealous man.

owlman5

Senior Member

Colorado English-US It is a riddle, theseus, but it is easy to answer the riddle. When is a gift not a gift? (Logical answer) When somebody expects something in return. The Emperor apparently expects something from the Duke in return for the gift. And the Emperor is a dangerous, jealous man. Will you please tell us the author and the title of this book? It is always a good idea to mention the source when you quote something in the forum. Thank you.

theseus_

Senior Member

chinese Thanks! I think "but it is easy to answer the riddle." should be "but it isn't easy to answer the riddle." ? 《Dune》 --Frank Herbert But the dialogue isn't in the novel，it is in the movie 《Dune》（Denis Villeneuve，2021）. The gift is a trap, so I think the return is the destruction of Atreides. Last edited: Nov 1, 2021

owlman5

Senior Member

Colorado English-US

theseus_ said: he gift is a trap, soI think the return is the destruction of Atreides. Click to expand...

Oh. So the Emperor is demanding a very high price for his gift. Thanks for the source, theseus.

theseus_

Senior Member

chinese Thanks again. I think I get it.

velisarius

Senior Member

Greece British English (Sussex) I haven't seen the movie, but it's quite possible that the gift is not a real gift, but a trap. That would be easy to see, if the gift was some kind of Trojan Horse. What is this "everything that we've built?" When is a gift not a gift? When the giver has set a trap, or when he intends to demand a lot more in return.

theseus_

Senior Member

chinese The Emperor is jealous of House Atreides. The gift is taking Harkonnens's spice planet and giving it to House Atreides as a fief.(spice is the most valuable substance in the story.) I think "everything that we've built" is spice factory made by the House Harkonnens. And then,The Emperor support House Harkonnens to destroy House Atreides，House Harkonnens take back the spice planet.

dojibear

Senior Member

Fresno CA English (US - northeast) The plot is political, and complicated. The purpose of this "gift" is political, and complicated. I can't analyze all of it here. If I tried, I would run out of ink.

theseus_ said: Speaker C -- When is a gift not a gift? Click to expand...

This is a "rhetorical question" -- it is in question form, but it is not expecting an answer. Instead it is making a comment. The comment is: this action is called "a gift", but it is not the usual meaning of "a gift" (an item given for no reason except affection). Instead this "gift" is some kind of complicated political action. This type of action (a ruler "giving" rulership of a region to one warlord and his followers) was common in historical Europe and China. E

enatheleme

New Member

English

theseus_ said: Is "When is a gift not a gift?" a proverb or a riddle ? What is it meaning? I think maybe is A gift is too expensive,so it isn't a gift actually？ Click to expand...

The Baron is pointing out that the gift given to the Duke (the gift of fiefdom of Arrakis) is really a trap. The Duke is drawn into a position to be utterly crushed by House Harkonnen, with secret support from the Emperor. You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Bluesky LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Share Link

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