# VIII explained — Nostromo > Chapter companion for Nostromo by Joseph Conrad. ## What happens This chapter describes the stabilizing influence of the San Tome mine on Sulaco before the arrival of the railway. It details Nostromo's role in managing the cargadores, the mine's impact on local society and politics, and the growing power of material interests. The narrative also covers the presidential tour of Don Vincente Ribiera, the presence of General Montero, and Mrs. Gould's successful intervention to save Giorgio Viola's house from demolition, which Viola decides to rename 'Albergo d'Italia Una.' ## Themes in this chapter ### Materialism and Corruption The San Tome mine's influence permeates Sulaco, shaping politics and society; the scramble for booty and the cynicism of motives in political contests underscore the corrupting power of material interests. ### Imperialism and Material Interests Foreign capital, represented by Sir John's railway and the Gould Concession, drives development and exerts control over the province, illustrating the reach of imperial economic forces. ### Class and Social Hierarchy The chapter contrasts the unruly cargadores with the elite like the Goulds and Sir John; the miners' adoption of white hats and ponchos with green stripes marks a new social identity tied to the mine. ## Character check-ins ### Nostromo Described as a horseman who enforces labor discipline among the cargadores, using a revolver to rouse them for work; later seen riding a silver-grey mare and acknowledged by Viola. ### Charles Gould Referred to as the 'King of Sulaco,' his San Tome mine exerts a subtle influence over the province; he mediates local difficulties for Sir John's railway and comments on the land now belonging to the Railway Company. ### Emilia Gould Intercedes with Sir John to save Giorgio Viola's house from demolition; speaks with Viola in Italian and reassures him about the security of his home. ### Giorgio Viola The old Garibaldino who comes out to thank Mrs. Gould for securing his house; announces he will rename it 'Albergo d'Italia Una' in memory of fallen comrades. ### Don Jose Avellanos Present at the lunch on the Juno and in the carriage with the Goulds; remains silent after the event, reflecting on the political situation. ### Sir John European railway promoter who meets Charles Gould and is impressed by his influence; promises Mrs. Gould that Viola's house will not be demolished. ### General Montero Described as the 'glorious victor of Rio Seco' with an ominous and grotesque appearance; displays ill-humour at the lunch on the Juno. ### President Ribiera The president-dictator on a tour of Sulaco, referred to as 'the hope of honest men' by Don Jose Avellanos; sits at the head of the table during the lunch. ## Key lines > Those of us whom business or curiosity took to Sulaco in these years before the first advent of the railway can remember the steadying effect of the San Tome mine upon the life of that remote province. Visitors to Sulaco before the railway recall how the San Tome mine brought stability to the region. _Opens the chapter by establishing the mine's stabilizing role in Sulaco's pre-railway era._ > A fellow in a thousand! Nostromo is an exceptional and invaluable man. _Captain Mitchell's exclamation highlights Nostromo's unique value and competence._ > The material apparatus of perfected civilization which obliterates the individuality of old towns under the stereotyped conveniences of modern life had not intruded as yet; but over the worn-out antiquity of Sulaco... that fact—very modern in its spirit—the San Tome mine had already thrown its subtle influence. Modern conveniences had not yet erased Sulaco's old character, but the mine's modern influence was already subtly reshaping the town. _Contrasts the mine's modernizing effect with the absence of full-scale industrialization._ > I shall set about the painting of the name tomorrow. ... 'Albergo d'Italia Una,' said the old Garibaldino, looking away for a moment. 'More in memory of those who have died,' he added, 'than for the country stolen from us soldiers of liberty by the craft of that accursed Piedmontese race of kings and ministers.' Viola plans to name his inn 'Albergo d'Italia Una' to honor fallen comrades rather than the Italy he feels was betrayed by the Piedmontese monarchy. _Reveals Viola's Garibaldino past and his disillusionment with Italian unification._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/viii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nostromo_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nostromo_se/chapters