# Nostromo — Nostromo character guide > Nostromo in Nostromo by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gian' Battista Fidanza, Capataz de Cargadores, Captain Fidanza **First appearance:** 0003-nostromo ## Snapshot The incorruptible Italian capataz of Sulaco's dockworkers, whose vanity and courage make him the one man everyone trusts with everything. ## Who they are Nostromo commands the cargadores of the Sulaco docks, a Man of the People who disdains to lead but rules from within, prized by the Europeans precisely because he seems above their intrigues. His immense vanity and his obscure sense of his own greatness drive him to attempt feats no one else will, yet he resents being used as a tool by men he privately scorns as hombres finos. When the revolution forces the silver and the fate of the town onto his shoulders, that private pride becomes the hinge on which the whole story turns. ## Relationships ### [Dr. Monygham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/dr_monygham) _psychological_ Dr. Monygham is obsessively suspicious of Nostromo's motives and actions, creating a tense, manipulative dynamic. ### [Martin Decoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/martin_decoud) _friendship_ Decoud and Nostromo form a pragmatic alliance during the revolution, but their bond is strained by distrust and differing loyalties. ### [Giorgio Viola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/giorgio_viola) _family_ Giorgio Viola treats Nostromo like a surrogate son, offering him paternal care and shelter. ### [Linda Viola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/linda_viola) _romantic_ Linda Viola is deeply in love with Nostromo and believes they are betrothed, though Nostromo's feelings are more ambivalent. ### [Emilia Gould](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/emilia_gould) _friendship_ Emilia Gould shows kindness and trust toward Nostromo, seeing him as a loyal and capable servant of the mine. ### [Signora Teresa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/signora_teresa) _family_ Signora Teresa is a maternal figure to Nostromo, often scolding him but caring deeply for his well-being. ### [Giselle Viola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/giselle_viola) _romantic_ Nostromo is secretly attracted to Giselle Viola, leading to a romantic entanglement that betrays Linda's trust. ### [Sir John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/sir_john) _professional_ Nostromo serves as a trusted guide and messenger for Sir John, a British railway magnate, in a purely professional capacity. ### [Hirsch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/hirsch) _rivalry_ Hirsch is a terrified pawn caught between Nostromo and Sotillo, but his presence threatens Nostromo's secret about the silver. ### [Dr. Monygham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/dr_monygham) _psychological_ Dr. Monygham is obsessively suspicious of Nostromo's motives and actions, creating a tense, manipulative dynamic. ### [Dr. Monygham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/dr_monygham) _psychological_ Dr. Monygham is obsessively suspicious of Nostromo's motives and actions, creating a tense, manipulative dynamic. ### [Martin Decoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/martin_decoud) _friendship_ Decoud and Nostromo form a pragmatic alliance during the revolution, but their bond is strained by distrust and differing loyalties. ## In the story ### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/author-s-note) Central figure, described as a 'Man of the People,' inspired by a Mediterranean sailor named Dominic; evolves into Captain Fidanza with a hidden moral ruin. ### [Nostromo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/nostromo) Introduced as the Capataz de Cargadores, a man of great reputation and trust among the community. ### [Part I: The Silver of the Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/part-i-the-silver-of-the-mine) The Italian sailor and capataz de cargadores, introduced as a key figure in the port and silver transport. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii) Leads the lightermen and Italian workmen to rescue President Ribiera and defend the jetty against the mob. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iii) Absent from the house; Signora Teresa invokes him as a protector, but he is not present. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iv) Leads a band of Italian workmen to the Casa Viola after the riot; exchanges shouts with the Violas, then rides off to pursue the mob. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/viii) 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. ### [Part II: The Isabels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/part-ii-the-isabels) Survives the sinking of the lighter, returns to the Great Isabel, hides the silver, and adopts the alias Captain Fidanza. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii) Directs the embarkation of troops under Captain Mitchell's supervision, showing his role as the trusted Capataz de Cargadores. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/vi) Decoud mentions that Nostromo has promised the cargadores will side with the Europeans in case of a riot, though his motives are unclear. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/vii) Chosen to transport the silver; expresses pride in his reputation and determination to succeed; reveals he refused to fetch a priest for Signora Teresa. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/viii) Shows his vanity and egoism; resents having a companion; leaves Decoud on the Great Isabel. ### [Part III: The Lighthouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/part-iii-the-lighthouse) Now known as Captain Fidanza, he secretly visits the hidden silver on the Great Isabel and courts Giselle Viola. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/i) Discussed as the capataz de cargadores, trusted with the dangerous mission of the silver. Dr. Monygham calls him a fool for his fidelity, noting he gains only 'spiritual value' from his labors. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii) Referred to as 'that fellow of mine' by Mitchell; he is the one in charge of the lighter. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iii) Waited for Father Corbelan at the Dominican convent, then made his way to the Porvenir offices and stayed till daylight, instead of riding to Los Hatos with Hernandez's nomination. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as the former capataz de cargadores, now believed dead; Charles Gould laments his loss as a potential messenger. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/vii) Wakes from a long sleep on the Great Isabel, described as handsome and wild, then appears thoughtful. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/viii) Returns to Sulaco after surviving the sinking; feels betrayed and struggles with his lost identity and the fate of the silver. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ix) Feels betrayed and reduced to nothing; bitter about being used by the wealthy; distrusts Dr. Monygham and resists the mission to Barrios. ### [The Solitude of Martin Decoud and the Regenerated Sulaco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/x) Nostromo is mentioned as the man of the famous ride to Cayta, and Captain Mitchell notes his name should be engraved on the commemorative shaft for his contributions to Separation. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/xii) Now Captain Fidanza, he secretly retrieves silver ingots from the Great Isabel, feeling enslaved by the treasure and losing his peace. He prefers Giselle but, fearing the loss of access to the island, betroths himself to Linda. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/xiii) Visits the Great Isabel, speaks secretly with Giselle, and is observed by Linda with suspicion and anguish. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/nostromo - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters