In this image Conrad paints socialism as yet another conquering dream-ideal, "magnanimous" in its ambition of global reform, but ultimately based on hatred and bloodshed. It is very important to Conrad's vision that Nostromo, the allegory of the People, is distinguished from this personage, and even frowns upon him. The novel suggests that the true spirit of the People is one of innocence, their true desire for peace and equality only. Though newly discontent since awakening to their exploitation, they nevertheless do not endorse the methods of bloodshed and destruction that have characterized history so far. Captain Fidanza is faithful to a higher vision.

Why does Conrad make the radical a photographer? I believe it to be a pun on the word 'negative.' Note that his profession depends entirely on the technology of the capitalist world. The same is true of his politics. He advances no positive program; indeed, he cannot technically be called a 'socialist' because he is identified only in terms of what he negates, what he detests. He is the reversed image of capitalist society, not an alternative to it.