The equation of wealth and weapons carries a far greater resonance than Charles Gould intends with his reflections on Ribierism. Once Nostromo steals the silver, the issue of wealth will dominate the end of the book, in terms of its effect on character, love, and hope for the future. Clearly, if wealth is a weapon, then there can be no peaceful society until it is eliminated -- which is the goal behind the People's tragic crusade for socialism, illustrated by Nostromo's story.

For the novel's alternative to wealth, see Antonia's line from the previous chapter: "It is your character that is the inexhaustible treasure which may save us all yet...not your wealth." But see also the photographer's comment that "the rich must be fought with their own weapons."