The old woman (under the dark gate that represents conquest) seems to stand for
something like the immortal spirit of the country, exhausted from exploitation,
searching for her lost and murdered children. A triumverate of women surrounds
Nostromo's fate: this grandmother figure, Teresa the mother figure, and Paquita
the lover figure. The grandmother and Paquita represent the country and the rulers,
respectively, who of course have conflicting claims on his loyalty. Teresa we
will come to shortly.