An Outpost of Progress

"An Outpost of Progress" is a short story written in July 1896 by Joseph Conrad, drawing on his own experience at Congo. It was published in the magazine "Cosmopolis" in 1897 and was later collected in "Tales of Unrest" in 1898. Often compared with "Heart of Darkness", Conrad considered it his best tale, owing to its 'scrupulousness of tone' and 'severity of discipline'.

Plot summary

It revolves around two European agents, named Kayerts and Carlier, who take charge of a trading post in a remote part of the African Jungle. In there they take part in ivory trading, hoping to financially benefit the company as well as themselves. With no specific tasks or important things to be done, they both become increasingly isolated and demoralized as the time goes by. At one point in the story, the clerk Makola, serving as Kayerts's and Carlier's assistant, initiates an exchange of slaves for ivory. Initially Kayerts and Carlier are stunned and scandalize the idea, yet eventually they accept the deal and aid Makola for its huge profit. Later, a seemingly trivial matter - sugar, sparks an incontrollable conflict between them, and it ends tragically as Kayerts accidentally shoots Carlier dead. At the end of the story, just before the company steamboat approaches the station after half a year isolation, Kayerts hangs himself.

Characters

*Kayerts
*Carlier
*Makola - Clerk, assistant of Kayerts and Carlier
*Gobila
*Gobila's people

About the Characters

*Kayerts and Carlier
** incompetent
** unprepared
** dependent on civilization
** identify with imperialist ideology
** unable to think for themselves
* Makola
** insists on his real name to be Henry Price, even if he comes from Sierra Leone
** from Sierra Leone
** speaks English and French
** takes over values of colonizers, but does not overtake their ethical values and morals
** "Civilized savage"
** careful of his appearance
** has traditional belief
* Gobila
** "Noble Savage", but not in Rousseau's sense
*The Warriors
** ruthless collaborators

Analysis

The story can also be read at a symbolic level. It focuses on the colonial situation in Africa towards the end of the nineteenth century and challenges readers to examine the ethical questions raised by the policy of colonialism. From the very beginning it becomes clear that the title Outpost of Progress is ironic, for the two white men are lazy and incompetent. The theme of incompetence, destructiveness and cruelty of colonialism is developed as a story of progresses. The gradual physical and moral deterioration of the two colonial administrators, leading to their death, can be interpreted as a reflection of the general state of colonialism.

References

*cite book | title=The Cambridge Introduction to Joseph Conrad | last=Peters | first=John G. | authorlink=John G. Peters | publisher=Cambridge University Press | location= | edition=1st ed. | date=14 September 2006 | id=ISBN 9780521548670

External links

* [http://www.hse-abi2007.de/An%20outpost%20of%20progress.pdf Summary with brief analysis] (pdf-file)

The full text can be found at [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1202/1202-h/1202-h.htm#2H_4_0005 Gutenberg]