Giorgio's discouragement could be simply in remembrance of Garibaldi's failure. But the repetition of "oppressor," just after Teresa's "oppressions" above, is deliberate. It's possible that he has recognized himself as Teresa's oppressor, or oppression as an inescapable ingredient of society. In either case, the apostle of Liberty might wonder here whether it's possible to "prevail" in his struggle.

The very next day, we have seen that Giorgio will question his faith during the riot , continuing a deliberate progression for the character.