The Emperor: Downfall of an Autocrat

What are the motifs in The Emperor: Downfall of an Autocrat by Ryszard Kapuscinski?

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Ethiopian Cultural Attitudes are recurring iseas in the narrative. A Western reader will immediately notice that the Ethiopians—both those interviewed and those described by the interviewees—see the world in a way very different and very foreign to the Western mind. Frequently, this world view is manifested implicitly throughout their testimony. For example, it is difficult to comprehend the utter loyalty Ethiopians generally had towards their Emperor. All of those interviewed by Kapuscinski continue to refer to the Emperor by his royal titles and show only the greatest respect towards him. Likewise, as much as the government came under criticism during the revolutionary years, only the most radical and outspoken dared criticize the Emperor himself. For the most part, blame was placed upon this or that minister or official, even when responsibility ultimately laid with the Emperor himself. The revolution vowed obedience to the Emperor until the very end. They even claimed that as they were arresting his officials that they did so in his name.