# The Gould Concession explained — Nostromo > Chapter companion for Nostromo by Joseph Conrad. ## What happens This chapter details the history of the San Tome mine and the Gould Concession. Charles Gould's father was forced to accept the concession by a corrupt government, leading to his financial ruin and eventual death. Charles, who had been studying mining in Europe, becomes fascinated by the mine and sees it as a challenge. He meets and marries Emilia, who understands his passion. After his father's death, Charles resolves to return to Costaguana and take control of the mine, determined to make it a success. ## Themes in this chapter ### Materialism and Corruption The San Tome mine is used by corrupt governments to extract money from the Gould family, highlighting the theme of material greed and political corruption. ### Imperialism and Material Interests The mine represents foreign economic interests and the exploitation of Costaguana's resources, with Charles Gould's European education and capital symbolizing imperial influence. ### Identity and Reputation Charles Gould's identity becomes intertwined with the mine, and his father's reputation is damaged by the concession, showing how material possessions shape personal and family identity. ## Character check-ins ### Charles Gould Charles Gould is introduced as a young man who becomes obsessed with the San Tome mine after his father's death. He studies mining in Europe and marries Emilia, sharing his vision for the mine with her. ### Emilia Gould Emilia Gould is Charles's wife, who meets him in Italy. She is the first to understand his secret passion for the mine and supports his plans. ### Giorgio Viola Giorgio Viola is mentioned as a relic of the Italian unification cause, which the marchesa's husband also fought for. ## Key lines > The father of Charles Gould, for a long time one of the most wealthy merchants of Costaguana, had already lost a considerable part of his fortune in forced loans to the successive governments. Charles Gould's father, once a wealthy merchant, had lost much of his wealth through forced loans to various governments. _This shows the financial exploitation of the Gould family by corrupt regimes._ > He was a man of calm judgment, who never dreamed of pressing his claims; and when, suddenly, the perpetual concession of the San Tome mine was offered to him in full settlement, his alarm became extreme. Mr. Gould senior was cautious and did not seek repayment, but when the government offered him the San Tome mine as compensation, he was deeply alarmed. _This highlights the father's awareness of the mine's burden and the government's manipulative tactics._ > By the time he was twenty Charles Gould had, in his turn, fallen under the spell of the San Tome mine. But it was another form of enchantment, more suitable to his youth, into whose magic formula there entered hope, vigour, and self-confidence, instead of weary indignation and despair. At twenty, Charles Gould became captivated by the mine, but his fascination was driven by hope and confidence, unlike his father's despair. _This contrasts the father's and son's attitudes, showing Charles's optimistic vision for the mine._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/vi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nostromo_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nostromo_se/chapters