Title as Foreshadowing
The title is symbolic foreshadowing. According to the Gospel of Matthew, there was darkness at noon during the crucifixion of Jesus. Christ is the ultimate symbol of the scapegoat who must be sacrificed and this will eventually prove to be the case with the story’s protagonist.
Rubashov’s Toothache
The toothache form which Rubashov suffers at times of great emotional intensity becomes a physical manifestation of his guilty conscience. Symbolically, it is significant that the complaint of the toothache originates in psychologically as an alibi. One needs an alibi only to avoid being charged with the guilt of a transgression. Likewise, the pain only recedes upon Rubashov’s recognition or acceptance of his guilt.
Machiavelli’s The Prince
An entry in Rubashov’s diary mentions that No. 1 keeps a copy of Machiavelli’s The Prince in a place of permanent honor by his bedside. This actual historical publication is the symbolic bible of the Party who have based their entire ideological philosophy upon book’s famous theme: “The end justifies the means.
The Goat and the Lamb
At one point, Rubashov is taken to the barber to receive a shave:
“The barber trimmed Rubashov’s goatee and head with quick, precise movements.”
The specific facial hair terminology and the description of the shave all contribute as symbolism to the more pervasive imagery implicating Rubashov as a Christ figure. His beard directly alludes to the concept of the scapegoat. The the barber’s actions recall the shearing of a lamb which creates another symbolic level connecting him to the crucifixion.
The Pieta
The persistent reference to and memories of the drawing known as the Pieta by Rubashov is another symbol linking his story to that of Christ. A pieta is any work of art—the most of which is a sculpture by Michelangelo—of the Virgin Mary embracing the crucified body of Jesus Christ on her lap.
