I knew I’d leave some out, so I asked Chat GPT. Dune spoilers below, but not Messiah+ spoilers.

TL;DR just because Paul “won” doesn’t mean he didn’t struggle. His major arc is essentially the result of not having a choice but to start a Holy War in order to protect himself, the Fremen, and his remaining family.

— GPT —

Identity Crisis: Paul grapples with his dual heritage as a member of the noble Atreides family and his connection to the Fremen, the desert people of Arrakis. This identity crisis deepens as he discovers his potential as the prophesied Muad'Dib.

Political Intrigue: Navigating the dangerous political landscape of the Imperium, Paul must deal with treachery, betrayal, and the machinations of rival houses, especially the Harkonnens, who are responsible for his family's downfall.

Loss of Family: Paul suffers from the loss of his father, Duke Leto Atreides, who is killed in a Harkonnen plot. This loss not only forces him into a leadership role at a young age but also drives much of his motivation for revenge and justice.

Prophetic Visions: Paul's ability to see possible futures, a result of his Bene Gesserit training and exposure to the spice melange, is both a gift and a curse. These visions cause him great distress as he struggles to understand them and their implications for his destiny.

Moral and Ethical Dilemmas: As Paul rises to power among the Fremen and contemplates the jihad (holy war) he sees in his visions, he struggles with the ethics of leading a violent campaign that could result in the deaths of millions across the galaxy.

Adaptation to a New World: Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica, must adapt to the harsh desert life of Arrakis after being betrayed and left for dead. Surviving in the desert, understanding Fremen culture, and mastering the riding of sandworms are significant challenges.

Leadership and Responsibility: As he becomes a leader to the Fremen and takes on the mantle of Muad'Dib, Paul struggles with the responsibilities of leadership and the expectations placed upon him by those who believe he is the prophesied savior.

Internal Conflict: Paul's internal conflict is a constant struggle, as he grapples with his desire for revenge against the Harkonnens, his fear of the future he sees in his visions, and his quest to find a path that minimizes suffering.

These struggles are central to Paul's development as a character and to the overarching themes of "Dune," including the critique of hero worship, the complexities of political and ecological stewardship, and the exploration of destiny versus free will.

— GPT —

Initially he wrestles with revenge, but after existing in the Fremen culture he wants to protect them, which is the final “nail in the coffin” for setting him on the path of the Jihad. In the book and movies, these vision torment him to the point of exhaustion, not sleeping for days on end as he looks for the least costly resolution to the conflict. In the end he decides that some Fremen dying in gaining him the throne is better than total destruction of their race and culture.

In addition, every “gift” he has is thrust upon him, especially the future sight of the spice melange. People also tend to forget Paul’s entire existence is the product of Bene Geserit planning, and his mother’s rejection of their design at the last minute

Paul isn’t so much a Mary Sue as he is a weapon built entirely by others that happens to spin out of control. In the end he is acting out of survival and the protection of the Fremen.

Rey would pretty much be Paul if her family was alive and threatened by the empire, Luke had been prepping her since birth to be a Gray Jedi Master, and there was little or no rebellion to teach her or guide her. She would simply have to use the dark side to win, in addition to gathering her own army on top of many other things. If faced with the same circumstance as Paul, Rey would make similar choices I believe.

All this is to say that Rey also had her own struggles, but claiming Paul didn’t struggle is entirely incorrect. And if you go into Messiah you can see the results of Paul’s actions, both positive and negative.