Conrad sets his novel in the mining town of Sulaco, an imaginary port in the occidental area of the notional united states of Costaguana. This town & its denizens come believed by several to become amongst Conrad's greatest literary creations.

A book has other fully developed characters than any other of his novels, however 2 characters dominate a narrative: Señor Gould and a eponymic anti-hero, the 'incorruptible' Nostromo.

Señor Gould is an English expatriate who owns the silver mining concession in Sulaco. He is tired per political instability in Costaguana & its incidental corruption and puts his weight behind the Ribierist task, which he believes provides stability to the united states. Around doing this, he sets himself higher against a revolutionary Montero, who so invades Sulaco. Señor Gould, intransigent that his silver should not get spoil for his enemies, entrusts it to Nostromo, his sure capataz delaware los cargadores.

Nostromo is an Italian expatriate who has risen to the position of capataz first state los cargadores across his daring exploits. (Nostromo is Italian for even mate or boatsman likewise as a contraction of "nostro uomo", "our man". He is known as such by his employer Captain Mitchell. His very title is Giambattista Fidanza, Fidanza meaning "trust" inside Italian) He is what would today become known as the wild self-publicist. He is believed by Señor Gould to exist as incorruptible, & for this understanding he is entrusted by using hiding a silver from either a subverter. He accepts a mission non away from any loyalty to Señor Gould, his employer, however like because he understands an chance to increase his fame. Around Conrad's universe, nonetheless, nonentity is incorruptible. A deed doesn't bring Nostromo a fame he experienced hoped for, & he feels slighted & utilized. Feeling that he has risked his life for nothing, a gall burns inside him, leading to his corruption & at last his destruction.