Part 3: The Collapse, Pages 139 - 164 Summary and Analysis

The Emperor's last days in his palace were spent among dignitaries whose numbers diminished as more were hauled to prison each day. In spite of this calamity, the Emperor ordered a strict regimen of calisthenics be followed by all of the dignitaries in the Palace. The idea was met with a natural resistance, but the Emperor insisted and his subjects obeyed. The calisthenics groups had to be small. The army would start arresting people if there was ever a large gathering.

Eventually, the Emperor lived alone in his Palace with only his valet. The two would spend these days quietly. They would go to Mass in the morning and pray and spend the rest of the day reading. The Emperor was told to watch television that night and did. Dimbleby's documentary about Ethiopia...