The Revolt of the Angels · Chapter
XIV explained
Arcade, now incarnated, stays with Prince Istar in a garret.
What happens
Arcade, now incarnated, stays with Prince Istar in a garret. Istar, a Cherub who rebelled against Ialdabaoth, works for humanity's welfare through chemistry and anarchist activism. Arcade becomes a printer, struggles with poverty and desire, and meets with Zita and other rebel angels. He grows disillusioned with their apathy. Zita takes him to Nectaire, who offers solace.
Themes in this chapter
Rebellion and Revolution
Arcade and Istar debate the priority of celestial vs. earthly revolution; Istar focuses on anarchist social change.
Knowledge and Enlightenment
Arcade seeks knowledge at libraries, learns printing; Istar works with chemistry; both pursue understanding.
Human Nature and Folly
Arcade observes the pettiness and apathy of rebel angels; Zita notes that beings are creatures of sentiment, not reason.
Characters to notice
- Arcade
Newly incarnated, stays with Istar, works as a printer, struggles with earthly desires and the disdain of faithful angels.
- Prince Istar
A Cherub who rebelled, now a chemist and anarchist, devoted to humanity's welfare but neglects the celestial revolution.
- Zita
Archangel who walks with Arcade, criticizes Istar's naivety and Arcade's faith in reason, leads him to Nectaire.
- Théophile Belais
Hosts angelic conspirators in his flat; his operetta manuscript is damaged by Istar.
- Madame de la Verdelière
Mentioned as Bouchotte; serves tea to the angels, fears them despite not knowing their true nature.
- Nectaire
Lives in Montmorency; Zita brings Arcade to him for remedies against sadness.
- Gilberte des Aubels
Remembered by Arcade with desire; her charm troubles him.
Key passages
“The first night of his incarnation Arcade slept at the angel Istar’s, in a garret in that narrow, gloomy Rue Mazarine which wallows along beneath the shadow of the old Institute of France.”
Arcade spent his first night as a human in Istar's cramped attic on Rue Mazarine, under the Institute of France.
Establishes Arcade's new earthly poverty and setting.
“Prince Istar, with a great frank, uncouth laugh, acknowledged that he had no preference for angels over men.”
Istar laughed and admitted he cared equally for angels and humans.
Highlights Istar's prioritization of humanity over the celestial rebellion.
“Zita used often to say: “Istar means well, but he’s a simple fellow. He believes in the goodness of men and things.””
Zita often remarked that Istar was well-intentioned but naive, trusting in human goodness.
Zita's critique of Istar's optimism.