Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard: Analysis of Major Characters
"Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard" delves into the intricate lives and moral complexities of a diverse set of characters set against the backdrop of the fictional South American country of Costaguana. The narrative centers on Nostromo, a character celebrated for his integrity, who finds himself in a morally ambiguous situation after saving a cache of silver from revolutionaries. The novel explores themes of idealism and corruption through the experiences of Charles Gould, the mine's manager, whose aspirations of progress and redemption are complicated by the corrupting influence of silver.
Other key characters include Doña Emilia, who embodies selflessness amidst her husband's obsession with the mine; Martin Decoud, a disillusioned intellectual drawn into revolutionary ideals; and Dr. Monygham, whose past betrayals haunt him as he seeks redemption. The interpersonal dynamics are enriched by the Viola family, particularly the love triangle between Nostromo and the Viola daughters, Giselle and Linda. The story's political landscape is shaped by figures such as President Ribiera and General Montero, reflecting the tumultuous and often violent struggle for power in Costaguana. Through these characters, "Nostromo" offers a profound exploration of human nature, societal ideals, and the consequences of ambition.
Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Joseph Conrad
First published: 1904
Genre: Novel
Locale: Costaguana, on the northern coast of South America
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: Late nineteenth century
Nostromo (nos-TROH-moh), the nickname of Gian' Battista (bah-TEES-tah), the “incorruptible” hero of the people who saved a valuable cargo of silver from revolutionists by hiding it on a barren island at the harbor entrance. Later, he realizes that it can be his because the lighter on which he transported the silver is reported sunk in a collision with a troopship at night. He grows rich slowly, by returning to the island occasionally for some of the silver. When a lighthouse is established on the island, he is still able to visit his hoard of silver because his friends, the Violas, are made keepers of the light. He chooses to love Giselle, the younger Viola daughter, rather than the more stable and idealistic Linda. Mistaken for a despised suitor of Giselle, he is shot by old Viola while on a night visit to see Giselle. Nostromo dies feeling that he has been betrayed and wishing to confess to Mrs. Gould. Because she refuses to listen, his secret is kept, and his famed incorruptibility remains intact.
Charles Gould, the manager of the San Tome silver mine, which he idealizes as a civilizing force that will bring progress to contented but backward Sulaco, a city in the Occidental Province of the Republic of Costaguana, as well as atonement for the death of his father. Yet silver, the incorruptible metal, is a corrupting influence politically and morally. It separates Gould from his wife Emilia, attracts politicians from the interior, and provokes a revolution.
Doña Emilia (eh-MEEL-ee-ah), Charles Gould's wife, supplanted in his affections by his “redemption idea” of the mine. Childless, she is a victim of a “subtle unfaithfulness” created by the mine. In turn, she is gracious, kind, and unselfish and lives for others.
Martin Decoud (mahr-TAN deh-KEW), a young Creole intellectual, skeptic, and amateur journalist recently returned from Paris. He falls in love with patriotic Antonia Avellanos and fathers the idea of a separate Occidental Republic. He escapes from the revolutionists on the lighter bearing the silver, but he commits suicide when left alone on the island to face the silence and indifference of nature.
Dr. Monygham, a doctor of introspective temperament. Under torture during the former dictatorship of Guzman Bento, he had betrayed friends, a deed that weighs on his conscience. He risks his life during the revolution for the safety of others in order to earn restoration to the human community.
Captain Mitchell, the superintendent of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, a “thick, elderly man, wearing high pointed collars and short sidewhiskers, partial to white waistcoats, and really very communicative under his air of pompous reserve.” He narrates part of the story.
Giorgio Viola (JOHR-jyoh vee-OH-lah), a veteran of Garibaldi's army and keeper of the Casa Viola, a restaurant and hotel in Sulaco. Believing wholeheartedly in the human bond of liberty, he had risked his life in Italy in the hope of bringing freedom to men. He wishes to make Nostromo his son.
Teresa, the portly, ill wife of Viola, anxious for the future of her husband and daughters.
Giselle (zhih-SEHL), the sensuous, blond younger daughter of Viola, in love with Nostromo.
Linda, the idealistic, dark older daughter of Viola, also in love with Nostromo.
President Ribiera (ree-bee-AY-rah), the beneficent dictator of Costaguana, defeated by revolutionary forces.
Don José Avellanos (hoh-SEH ah-vay-YAH-nohs), an idealistic, cultured, dignified, patriotic statesman who has survived many changes in his country; he is the author of Fifty Years of Misrule, a history of the republic. He dies of disappointment.
Antonia Avellanos (ahn-TOH-nyah), his beautiful, free-minded, patriotic daughter, in love with Decoud.
Father Corbelàn (kohr-beh-LAHN), the fanatical uncle of Antonia Avellanos. His appearance suggests something unlawful behind his priesthood, the idea of a chaplain of bandits. He is Costaguana's first cardinal archbishop.
General Montero (mohn-TEH-roh), a rural hero and a former minister of war, the leader of the revolution.
Pedro Montero, his brother, a savage with a genius for treachery. He is the leader of the rebel army from the interior.
Don Pépé (PEH-peh), the faithful overseer of the San Tome mine, under orders to blow up the mine if the revolutionaries try to seize it.
Father Roman (roh-MAHN), the faithful padre of the workers of the mine.
Colonel Sotillo (soh-TEE-yoh), one of the leaders of the revolution. Cowardly and traitorous, he hurries his army into Sulaco in the hope of gaining personal advantage.
Señor Hirsch, a craven and fearful hide merchant who tries to escape from Sulaco by secreting himself on the lighter with Nostromo and Decoud while they are transporting the silver. When the lighter and Sotillo's ship collide in the darkness, he leaps aboard the rebels' vessel. There, he is tortured for confession and finally killed by Sotillo.
Hernandez (ehr-NAHN-dehs), a man mistreated in an earlier revolution and now the leader of a robber band. During the revolt, he becomes a general, pledged to Father Corbelàn.
General Barrios (BAHR-ryohs), a brave, trustworthy, un-pretentious soldier who has lived heroically and loves to talk of the adventurous life of his past. He is the commander of the Occidental military district.
Don Juste Lopez (HEWS-tay LOH-pehs), the president of the provincial assembly. He thinks that resistance to Pedro Montero will be useless but that formalities may still save the republic.
Fuentes (FWEHN-tehs), a nominee for the post of political chief of Sulaco. Eager to take office, he sides with Pedro Montero.
Gamacho (gah-MAH-choh), the commander of the Sulaco national guard. He throws his lot in with the revolutionists.
Basilio (bah-SEE-lee-oh), Mrs. Gould's head servant.
Luis (LEW-ees), a mulatto servant at the Casa Viola.