An Outpost of Progress

Finally, a seemingly trivial matter—sugar—sparks an irrational, uncontrolled, and violent conflict between them, which ends tragically as Kayerts accidentally shoots and kills Carlier.

Once settled in their posts, Kayerts and Carlier find novels left by their predecessors: ‘in the center of Africa they made the acquaintance of Cardinal Richelieu and D’Artagnan, of Hawk’s Eye and Father Goriot...they discounted their virtues, suspected their motives, decried their successes; were scandalized at their duplicity or were doubtful about their courage.’ Similarly, Bourard and Pecuchet mention Richelieu and read Dumas and Balzac in an uncomprehending way.”[9]Graver also reports that “An Outpost of Progress” is highly derivative of the works of Rudyard Kipling, in particular his “The Man Who Would Be King” (1888).”[10] Conrad’s irony is conveyed through “a playful mixture of the jaunty and macabre”, an unmistakable feature of Kipling’s fiction.

[15]Literary critic Albert J. Guerard notes that “An Outpost of Progress” is of interest chiefly as “a cold adumbration…offering a significant variant on “Heart of Darkness” and the only stories Conrad based on his experiences in Central Africa.

[16][17] Guerard writes: “An Outpost of Progress” is carefully, ploddingly, plausibly constructed to throw a full expository light on its theme…There are no signs of subjective involvement,,,the story comes to us in plain, efficient, unevocative prose.”[18]As such, “the most personal voice of the early Conrad is lacking.” The work is “perfectly devoid of familiarity between author and reader…”[19] Literary critic Edward W. Said locates the theme of “An Outpost of Progress” in the shame Conrad felt at “allowing [his] personal ideals to be corrupted” and in particular, “the shame of fear.”[20] Said declares that Conrad experienced a sense of guilt at his renunciation of the “ideals of his Polish heritage” and “the capricious abandonment” of his life as a mariner.

[21] Said writes: Conrad had become, like Kayerts and Carlier, a creature of civilization, living in reliance upon the safety of his surroundings…When the story, he found, like the two unfortunate disciples of progress…he had laid himself open to a terrifying invasion of the unknown…When the two Europeans kill each other for a lump of sugar, their degradation is complete.