The Storming of the Bastille

This chapter describes the dramatic events leading up to and during the storming of the Bastille, a symbol of political oppression. The mob, armed and emboldened, negotiates with the commander of the fortress before breaking in, resulting in a firefight and the eventual surrender of the garrison. The chapter also examines the psychological impact of this momentous event and its repercussions on the king's response to the revolution.