Dec 27, 2009

Darkness at Noon | Characters

Arlova
A “heavy, shapely” woman with a sleepy voice, Arlova is Rubashov’s secretary during his job at the Trade Delegation. They have an affair, and Arlova tells Rubashov that “‘you will always be able to do what you like with me’” before the Stalinist purges begin, and she receives a warning in her new post as librarian to restock the books of opposition leaders. Shortly afterwards, Rubashov stops his little jokes with her, and she stops going to his room. Soon she is condemned as a traitor and sentenced to death.

Michael...