Survival Versus Moral Righteousness

Short Analysis Three: Maaza Mengiste’s Beneath the Lion’s Gaze

Debra Moreno Blouch

            In the middle of Maaza Mengiste’s Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, when Hailu is talking to Jonas about the invitation he extended to Mickey in their home for a talk, Jonas expresses his concern. Jonas is worried that Mickey will see the old, banned Ethiopian flag that Hailu has hung in the house. Jonas tells his father about the rumors of Mickey being completely obedient to Guddu and thus the reason for his promotion. This scene in the novel sets up a running theme of survival versus moral righteousness. “Hailu sat in his chair. ‘By the end of all this, who’s to say any of us will be blameless.’ His eyes were on the flag” (146). Jonas thinks that Hailu is referring to the choices that Mickey has made with regards to the new regime. Mickey has been forced to kill the emperor and his officials. He either had to kill them as Guddu has commanded or face death himself, as did Daniel. But Hailu is referring to the young woman he has been commanded to treat and save at the hospital. She has been tortured while being interrogated and is close to death. Hailu must use his medical abilities in order to keep her alive so the new regime can continue their interrogation/torture. He believes that he is not blameless, because he is participating in her torture by keeping her alive and helping her to get better for the regime’s continued abuse. This theme is also shown earlier in the novel with the takeover of the emperor because of the starvation of the rural Ethiopians versus the more monstrous new regime with Gudda. Dawit and the students are also blameful for the takeover/murder of the emperor although what they wanted was to save their fellow Ethiopians.