The Revolt of the Angels · Chapter
XIII explained
Arcade meets the archangel Zita in a tavern, where they discuss the potential for a rebellion in Heaven.
What happens
Arcade meets the archangel Zita in a tavern, where they discuss the potential for a rebellion in Heaven. Zita outlines her strategic approach, emphasizing the need to appeal to the passions and interests of the angels rather than relying solely on scientific enlightenment. Afterward, Théophile shows Arcade his moth-eaten wings, preserved in a cupboard.
Themes in this chapter
Rebellion and Revolution
Arcade and Zita discuss overthrowing Ialdabaoth, with Zita outlining a practical strategy for inciting a celestial revolt.
Knowledge and Enlightenment
Arcade argues that scientific knowledge will free the angels, while Zita is skeptical of its immediate efficacy, preferring to appeal to passions and interests.
Religion and Blind Faith
The deception of Ialdabaoth is exposed, and the angels' credulity is criticized as a barrier to freedom.
Characters to notice
- Arcade
Maurice's guardian angel, now a revolutionary, shares his plans for rebellion with Zita.
- Zita
The beautiful archangel, also known as Ithuriel, who is organizing a revolt in Heaven and counsels Arcade.
- Théophile Belais
The angelic musician who introduces Arcade to Zita and later shows him his preserved, moth-eaten wings.
Key passages
“Thus talking, the two archangels had reached the Boulevard Rochechouart. As his eye lighted on a tavern, whence, through the mist, the light fell golden on the pavement, Théophile suddenly bethought himself of the Archangel Ithuriel who, in the guise of a poor but beautiful woman, was living in wretched lodgings on La Butte and came every evening to read the papers at this tavern.”
While walking along Boulevard Rochechouart, Théophile remembers the Archangel Ithuriel, who appears as a poor but beautiful woman and frequents a nearby tavern.
Introduction of Zita's earthly guise and setting.
“Persuade the angels that they will cover themselves with glory by overthrowing the tyrant, and that they will be happier once they are free; that is the most practical policy to attempt, and, for my own part, I am devoting all my energies to its fulfilment.”
Zita advocates convincing the angels that rebellion will bring them glory and happiness, focusing on practical motivation rather than abstract enlightenment.
Zita's strategic approach to revolution.
“And he added almost immediately: 'But on what can intelligence sharpen its wits, in a country where the climate is soft and existence made easy? Even here, where necessity calls for intellectual activity, nothing is rarer than a person who thinks.'”
Zita remarks that in Heaven, where life is easy, intelligence is rarely sharpened, and even on Earth, true thinkers are scarce.
Critique of intellectual complacency in Heaven and on Earth.