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.