This in practically the same breath as the information that he was Provincial President. It is a clue that we should apply a large grain of salt to the promise that "We Goulds are no adventurers." But Henry Gould's fate foreshadows Charles' own: both are committed to an abstract ideal and shun politics, both try to "make use of" politics, and both wind up confirmed politicians, either participating in or installing governments.

Throughout Nostromo the dream-ideal is presented in like terms: as a pure, clean goal -- usually to reform humanity -- that to be implemented must entangle itself in humanity and become what it despises. See Mrs Gould's eloquent summation near the end of the novel .