Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Nostromo, or Our Man, is an Italian sailor whose personal charm and organizational powers make him the cherished pet of the aristocracy of a fictional Central American country called Costaguana. After risking his life over and over again, Nostromo comes to realize that he is just a pawn in the political and personal struggles of this fictional land. His plans for revenge parallel the so-called democratic movement of the richest province of Costaguana to become an independent nation ruled by the same aristocratic elite that have used Nostromo for their own gain.

The story begins in Sulaco, a seaside port in the fictional country of Costaguana. Sometime in the formation of this city, a group of American men cut their way through the jungle until they discover a hidden silver mine. After sending up smoke to confirm their location, the Americans...