# XIV explained — The Revolt of the Angels

> Chapter companion for The Revolt of the Angels by Anatole France.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters