Nostromo, like Charles Gould, has awakened from the dream-ideal, and now perceives it as an illusion.

The idea of "living concealed," on the surface relating merely to Nostromo hiding from the Monterists, has a deeper meaning relating to Nostromo's whole future career with the silver. Allegorically, it also hints ahead to the role of the socialist People in society, who must conceal their revolutionary agenda. Beginning with this chapter, the novel will illustrate the People's turn to socialism through Nostromo's story.