What are two important symbols in "The Guest"? How are these significant to the theme?

Two important symbols in Albert Camus's "The Guest" are the blackboard and the unbinding of the prisoner's hands.

The blackboard with the four rivers of France designated with four different colors of chalk probably indicates the Seine, the Loire, the Rhone, and the Garonne rivers, which essentially cover France from the northern to the southern regions. Had Daru lived in France, he would have likely been on at least one of these rivers. However, although...

Two important symbols in Albert Camus's "The Guest" are the blackboard and the unbinding of the prisoner's hands.

The blackboard with the four rivers of France designated with four different colors of chalk probably indicates the Seine, the Loire, the Rhone, and the Garonne rivers, which essentially cover France from the northern to the southern regions. Had Daru lived in France, he would have likely been on at least one of these rivers. However, although he is French, Daru has not been to the actual country, and the rivers are as foreign to him as they are to the children. Like his students, he is stranded because of the bad weather. He is also isolated because he is French, although not French-born; he is a native of Algeria. Not unlike the prisoner whom he sets free, Daru belongs nowhere now. This symbol of the blackboard connects to the theme of individual alienation.

The unbinding of the prisoner's wrists that frees the prisoner symbolizes Daru's act of rebellion against the colonial rule in Algeria.

That man's stupid crime revolted him, but to hand him over was contrary to honor.

Daru's decision to follow the dictates of his conscience rather than the dictates of the French government is an exercise of his free choice as a man and ties to the theme of moral choice. Unfortunately, after Daru gives the Arab money and instructions on where he can join a group of nomads in the "pasturelands," the Arab chooses to walk to the prison. Then, after Daru arrives at the classroom, he finds a threatening note on the blackboard. Daru's act of kindness to the Arab has ended absurdly as he now finds his life threatened by the Arab's people.