Teresa is a fitting counterpart to Giorgio as allegorical foster parents of "the People." Both are protecters of the people, but in a different sense. While the father represents Republican Liberty, emphasizing Nostromo's duty and seeking to protect him via the larger society, the mother maligns that society as exploitative, and urges Nostromo to better himself materially (almost in the manner of a labor revolt). It is significant that now, in the Separatism section, Teresa assumes a foreground position. With the collapse of the larger society, Nostromo begins to heed her advice.