Mirrors of Oppression in "Beneath the Lion's Gaze." An Analysis by Cody Tucker.

"Mercy will now be no more for this blasphemy against us. There will be the day, Beloved, when we will rise again, and a divine rage will pour itself on you and we will not stop the tide, though you will beg. And after the storm, after the cleansing, we will open our arms again, and you will come, eager once more, and angels will guide our next steps, and will move together" (Mengiste, 107).

This is taken from a moment that shows the reader the internalized views of Emperor Haile Selassie during the time of his imprisonment following his deposition as the Emperor of Ethiopia. Selassie points out that divine judgment will come upon the people who have blasphemously offended the Solomonic lineage that Selassie lays claim to. This connects to a pervading theme of this novel that I am noticing as the nature of how selfishness, oppression, and greed seems to be seen differently from opposing sides. The motives behind this rebel's movement are feelings that the government has allowed no means of support for the lower classes while giving privilege to the upper classes. Selassie and his fellow leaders are blamed for the volatile days that are being suffered upon Ethiopia’s people. The Marxist party of the Dergs that has risen up against Selassie’s crown, likewise, wishes to and enact retribution against those whom they feel has wronged the people. Yet, this is a secular retribution, not a religious one. Otherwise, their motives ring a tune that is familiar to Selassie's words. They feel wronged, and want revenge. This warfare over class, religion, and politics harkens back to the French Revolution. Like this famous example, the rebels of Ethiopia may have deposed a less than quality ruler, but as a result, these rebels have become the new lords of oppression in Ethiopia. Hailu notes the anarchy that this movement is giving way to. ‘“What do they think is going to happen now?’” (Mengiste, 58). I find that Mengiste is trying to render a way of seeing both sides of the conflict for the reader. In this world, one can defend their own rights, but to oppress the rights of others seems to contradict such an ideal. This applies to whether people fight over governments or families. Collaboration, and not antagonism can be the only means to peace for all.