As noted before, the dynamic between Teresa and Nostromo involved differing views of "treasure," with Teresa arguing for material gain and Nostromo for integrity of character. Nostromo's situation with the silver -- symbolizing the People's socialist ambition -- has now put him in a position where the only way to be rich (gain the material treasure) is to be duplicitous (lose the spiritual one). He is thus bound to "fail" no matter what he does -- "what a curse" indeed.