Giselle is described in terms of wealth, equating Nostromo's desire to possess her with his desire to possess the wealth of his silver. Gold symbolizes rulership, which adds to the allegory: through the utopian socialist ideal the People can attain both wealth and rulership.

The jealous possessiveness of Nostromo's desire is about to change, however, in a key passage below , to which this should be contrasted.