Conrad is practically shouting the allegory aloud here, especially when he says that Nostromo "is" the "force" of the People. One gets the feeling that he is somewhat impatient with his readers so far who have failed to see it.

The notion of Nostromo's "firm grip on the earth" is hinted at in the novel, and has to do with the notion that the People do not lose themselves in vast idealistic crusades. Instead they concern themselves with life and physical work. Even Nostromo's own early dream-ideal, that of Reputation, has as its goal merely the enhancement of his own person.