# XXXV explained — The Revolt of the Angels

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

## What happens

Satan dreams of leading a second rebellion against Ialdabaoth, conquering Heaven, and being crowned God. However, he soon becomes corrupted by power, repeating the tyranny of his predecessor—proclaiming himself a triune god, banishing Arcade for smiling, and embracing dogma and suffering. In the dream, he spares Michael, but ultimately awakens to realize that true victory lies in destroying Ignorance and Fear within oneself, not in conquering Heaven.

## Themes in this chapter

### Rebellion and Revolution

Satan leads a second revolt against Ialdabaoth, conquers Heaven, but the dream reveals the futility of external conquest.

### Freedom vs. Tyranny

Satan becomes a tyrant himself after seizing power, repeating the cycle of oppression.

### Human Nature and Folly

Satan's corruption by power and his embrace of dogma illustrate the folly of unchecked authority.

### The Nature of God and Creation

The dream explores the nature of divinity, the cycle of gods, and the idea that true godhood is internal.

## Character check-ins

### Satan

Dreams of conquering Heaven and becoming God, but becomes corrupted by power; ultimately awakens to reject conquest and advocate inner liberation.

### Arcade

Smiles at Satan's proclamation of being a triune god and is driven from his presence.

### Prince Istar

Returns to earth after Satan's coronation; present at Satan's awakening.

### Zita

Returns to earth after Satan's coronation; present at Satan's awakening and urges him to lead the revolt.

### Nectaire

Present at Satan's awakening; his flute celebrates nature and freedom, which Satan no longer enjoys.

### Ialdabaoth

Seen by Satan in Gehenna, retaining a lofty mien and contemplating Earth with kindliness.

### Archangel Michael

Lays down his flaming sword before Satan in the dream; Satan spares him and returns the sword.

## Key lines

> War engenders war, and victory defeat. God, conquered, will become Satan; Satan, conquering, will become God.

Conflict breeds more conflict, and winning leads to losing. A defeated god becomes a devil, and a victorious devil becomes a god.

_Satan's realization of the cyclical nature of power and rebellion._

> What matter that men should be no longer submissive to Ialdabaoth if the spirit of Ialdabaoth is still in them; if they, like him, are jealous, violent, quarrelsome, and greedy, and the foes of the arts and of beauty?

It is pointless to reject the old tyrant if people still harbor his traits of jealousy, violence, greed, and hostility to art and beauty.

_Satan's critique of superficial liberation without inner change._

> We have destroyed Ialdabaoth, our Tyrant, if in ourselves we have destroyed Ignorance and Fear.

We have truly overthrown the tyrant only when we have overcome our own ignorance and fear.

_Satan's final insight that true victory is internal._

## Links

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