Who Nostromo is
Nostromo comes from Genoa and commands the loaders and boatmen of Sulaco with quiet authority. Strong and capable, he is the man people call upon when a crisis demands courage.
His nickname suggests boatswain or our man, fitting someone the whole port trusts. Captain Mitchell admires him deeply and helps spread the fame that Nostromo values so much.
What Nostromo wants
Nostromo wants praise, but above all he wants to be known as incorruptible and dependable. His good name is the possession he considers entirely his own, and he guards it closely.
This pride makes public trust both a source of strength and a point of weakness. He depends on other people's admiration, leaving him open to flattery and wounded by neglect.
How Nostromo changes
When revolution threatens the silver shipment, Nostromo receives the dangerous task of taking it out of Sulaco. Martin Decoud accompanies him into the dark gulf, where action and scepticism meet in the same small boat.
The responsibility also begins to stir resentment, as Nostromo feels himself treated as a useful tool of the rich. His mission tests not only his courage but the reputation on which he builds his sense of worth.
Questions
What is Nostromo's real name?
His real name is Giovanni Battista Fidanza, an Italian sailor from Genoa.
What does the name Nostromo mean?
The Italian nickname suggests boatswain or our man.
Why is Nostromo trusted with the silver?
He is known throughout Sulaco for courage and reliability. That reputation makes him the choice for carrying the threatened shipment away by sea.
