# Antonia Avellanos — Nostromo character guide

> Antonia Avellanos in Nostromo by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dona Antonia, Antonia, Miss Avellanos, Antonia Avellanos

**First appearance:** 0003-nostromo

## Snapshot

Don Jose's grave, self-possessed daughter — educated in England, proud as any Corbelan, and devoted to her ruined patriot father's cause.

## Who they are

Born in Europe and partly schooled in England, Antonia moves through Sulaco's drawing rooms with a stillness that makes other young ladies stand in awe of her learning and her pride. Her life is bent to 'poor papa,' Don Jose, whose passionate dream of an honourable republic she serves as secretary, nurse, and moral heir. In the early arc she is the quiet centre of the civilian party — the woman Decoud watches, and the conscience against which the men of Sulaco measure their compromises.

## Relationships

### [Martin Decoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/martin_decoud)

_romantic_

Antonia and Decoud are passionate lovers, bound by intellectual and political ideals, but separated by the chaos of revolution.

### [Martin Decoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/martin_decoud)

_romantic_

Antonia and Decoud are passionate lovers, bound by intellectual and political ideals, but separated by the chaos of revolution.

### [Martin Decoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/martin_decoud)

_romantic_

Antonia and Decoud are passionate lovers, bound by intellectual and political ideals, but separated by the chaos of revolution.

## In the story

### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/author-s-note)

The 'beautiful Antonia,' an aristocrat and co-creator of the new state, modeled on Conrad's first love.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/i)

Don Jose's devoted daughter, educated in Europe, known for her learning and grave demeanor, who cares for her father.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii)

The beautiful and learned daughter of Don Jose, who assists her father with state papers and defies conventional Spanish-American girlhood by participating in intellectual discussions.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iii)

Welcomes Decoud warmly upon his return; her presence and approval influence his decision to stay and take up the newspaper.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iv)

Remains calm and mature; averts her head behind a raised fan; her breast rises and falls with deeper breath during Decoud's remarks.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/v)

Engages in political debate with Decoud, initially shocked by his separatist ideas; later moved by his declaration of love.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/vi)

Decoud mentions finding her fan, and she is implied to understand Decoud's character.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/vii)

Decoud's beloved; he hopes to receive her as his reward after the mission.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/viii)

Decoud remembers her desolate glance as he left her at her father's bedside.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as a beautiful and accomplished young lady Mitchell is concerned about.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iii)

Stands erect by the side of her prostrate father Don Jose, resisting the longing to inquire about Decoud's escape.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned by Mrs. Gould, who fears she may kill herself out of despair.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/antonia_avellanos
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters