# The Conclave explained — The Revolt of the Angels

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

## What happens

Arcade and Zita convene a conclave of rebellious angels in a dilapidated hall at La Jonchère. Nectaire is elected president in absentia. Arcade denounces Iahveh as Ialdabaoth, a barbarous demiurge, and calls for war. A loyal angel is expelled. Debates ensue over strategy, resources, and leadership, with Prince Istar ultimately claiming victory lies in a bottle of chemical formula rather than traditional warfare.

## Themes in this chapter

### Rebellion and Revolution

The conclave formalizes the second rebellion, with angels debating strategy and committing to overthrow Ialdabaoth.

### Religion and Blind Faith

The loyal angel's sacrifice and Théophile's fearful defense of divine wisdom illustrate blind faith versus rational revolt.

### Freedom vs. Tyranny

Arcade frames the revolt as a struggle against Ialdabaoth's tyrannical rule, advocating for angelic free will.

### Human Nature and Folly

The chaotic debates, empty rhetoric, and self-interested aspirations for command mirror human political folly.

## Character check-ins

### Arcade

Convokes the conclave and delivers a fiery speech denouncing Ialdabaoth and advocating for revolt.

### Zita

Co-convener of the conclave; asserts that sufficient funds exist to commence war.

### Prince Istar

Hires the meeting hall; expels the loyal angel; later argues that victory lies in chemistry, not war.

### Nectaire

Elected president of the assembly in absentia.

### Théophile Belais

Speaks against the revolt, warning of divine wisdom, but is hissed down.

### Satan

Referenced as Lucifer, the first rebel; his lieutenant role is aspired to by many.

### Ialdabaoth

Denounced by Arcade as the ignorant and barbarous demiurge to be overthrown.

### Archangel Michael

Mentioned as Ialdabaoth's best captain, reliant on outdated tactics.

## Key lines

> Sons of Heaven! My comrades! You have freed yourselves from the bonds of celestial servitude—you have shaken off the thrall of him called Iahveh, but to whom we should here accord his veritable name of Ialdabaoth, for he is not the creator of the worlds, but merely an ignorant and barbarous demiurge, who having obtained possession of a minute portion of the Universe has therein sown suffering and death.

Arcade addresses the rebel angels, declaring that Iahveh is actually Ialdabaoth, a cruel and ignorant lesser god who only controls a small part of the universe and fills it with pain and death.

_Arcade redefines the enemy, stripping Iahveh of divine legitimacy and framing him as a tyrant._

> Victory—it is here!

Prince Istar holds up a small bottle, claiming that scientific chemistry, not warfare, holds the key to victory.

_Istar dismisses traditional military strategy in favor of modern scientific methods._

## Links

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