Conrad became a British citizen, but in Africa he worked in the Belgian Congo. In 'Heart of Darkness', Conrad suggests that only the British Empire knew how to run a colonial empire with any sense of fairness and humanity. As it turned out, not quite true, but more truthful than most today will accept. The Belgian Congo, under Leopold's rule, was a barbaric atrocity, but the Dutch in SE Asia were not far behind in terms of their racism and cruelty to the indigenous peoples there. And that's not to mention thousands of years around the entire globe in which brutal slavery, human sacrifice and cannablism had been practiced almost as a matter of course. Cultural relativism is very crafty and factually misleading. At the same moment Victorians were transforming the world with new technologies such as steam and electricity, cannabalism was still rife across Central Africa - one has only to read contemporary accounts of witnesses (such as explorers, etc). All cultures were not equal - not by a wide mark - if you are taking into consideration technological advance and progress. Conrad's story 'An Outpost of Progress' is unusual for it's time in so much as it criticises the so-called 'civilizing mission' of imperial colonial powers, pointing out that we are, indeed, all human beings, perhaps all even savages, once the apparatus of 'civilisation' is stripped-away. And he wrote and published this at a time when global colonial powers were at their zenith - triumphant with it. This was a theme he would return to, with much greater effect, in 'Heart of Darkness'.
I can't find anyone on TH-cam commenting on Kayurtz the ivory trader in this book and Kurtz from Heart Of Darkness who might be the same man "reborn" of this trauma. This would be a great video.
This short story is written by Joseph Conrad who was born in Ukraine 1857, to polish parents. In 1874 after his parents died, Joesph Conrad joined the French navy then the british merchant navy in 1882 and as a result he became a british citizen in 1886. 3 years after, he travelled to Congo to fulfill an ambition he had since his childhood. But after a while he returned to Europe with an emotional trauma caused by the atrocities he witnessed there. These experiences served as inspiration to write Heart of Darkness and An Outpost of Progress. The story is about two English white men, Kayerts and Carlier, who took over a trading station in Central Africa, their job is simple they have to supervise the collection of ivory in the station. Although the Europeans do trade goods, their underlying purpose is to export “civilization,” from Europe to Africa. Carlier and Kayerts are living in colonial times. England and other European countries have control over Africa. The native people are seen as in need of being civilized. As the steamer that dropped them off disappears, Carlier and Kayerts already begin to feel uneasy. Out in the jungle with no other Europeans to support their views about the world, they sense that they are out of their element, and not up to the task they have been assigned. The first thing they see is a cross under which their predecessor lies buried, having died of a fever. Then they meet Makola, a native man who’s married and has 3 kids. Makola is their native comrade. He is acting as the foreman for ten other natives who should be looking for ivory. Makola ended up doing all the work they’re supposed to do because they simply have no idea how to do it. For this reason they just stayed in their house doing nothing but reading old books. One day a group of natives comes by and stated that they have more ivory than they can carry, which is of great interest to Carlier and Kayerts, who have to make any good trades. Consequently, Makola offers to take care of the ivory trade and the men agree. In the morning, they discover all the native employees have disappeared. Makola tells them he traded the men for ivory. Therefore, got angry and upset that their morals have been directly challenged, so they decided they should have nothing to do with the ivory because it is a result of slavery. However, after their initial protest, they change their mind because they know the ivory will make their director happy. And from that moment on the men started feeling that they’ve changed during the time they spent in Africa and not for the better. They are descending into confusion and fear which then came to the surface after an argument over sugar. Carlier gives way to his emotions, calling Kayerts a “slave-dealer.” Kayerts is unable to accept the truth and responds violently. The two men begin chasing each other around their house. Finally, Kayerts shoots Carlier dead because he felt threatened by the gun in Carlier’s hand, but then he realized that Carlier was unarmed. The book ends with the Managing Director of the steamship coming through the fog only to see that Kayerts is hanging dead on a cross. Now that we know all relevant information about the story and its author it’s time to begin analyzing “An outpost of Progress”. Having returned to Europe with an emotional trauma caused by the atrocities he witnessed in Congo one can assume that Joseph Conrad is totally against colonialism, which will be reflected on his story. Let’s see how Joseph Conrad criticizes colonialism although the title says otherwise. Colonialism as we all know is supposed to be bringing light to the dark uncivilized places on earth. European colonists saw it as their duty to conquer and rule countries containing different cultures and races. They didn’t know what cultural diversity is. People were placed on a scale of value, from highest to lowest. The people of Africa were seen as the lowest kind of people. At some pint there was even debate about whether they were fully human. European colonists believed they were at the high end of human development. They thought it was their right, to expand European beliefs, values and social constructs all over the world. Joseph Conrad criticizes colonialism by choosing two incompetent and lazy fellows, who come to Congo for material reasons only, to be the ones responsible for bringing light to Africa. But that won’t work because of the mentality Kayerts and Carlier are coming with, which is that they’re civilized while the others are “savage.” They are so bound by their own European culture, they are unable to appreciate the land and the culture that surrounds them. They are incapable of perceiving that non-European cultures have value and structure of their own. Once the routine and structure of their own country is taken away, the men have only themselves to rely on. Their own fears, insecurities, failings and weaknesses come to the surface. Which is exactly what Joseph Conrad is trying to explain people are people, no matter what the color of their skin, or the structure of their culture. He achieved at presenting the darker side of humanity. In this story, nearly everyone cannot be trusted. Makola, the band of strangers, Carlier and Kayerts; all are judging one another as inferior. This story reveals the ugly underside of humanity, both native and European. Carlier, Makola and Kayerts all choose commerce over their fellow human beings. Makola sacrifices native people in order to provide ivory to the traders at the station. Carlier and Kayerts are initially disgusted with the idea, but then accept the benefit, which is making their director happy. After letting go of their own morals, Kayerts and Carlier start loosing their mind they fight over sugar and end up with Kayerts killing Carlier because of becoming paranoid. To sum up by presenting this side of humans we now have evidence that all men are equal from the dark side of the equation. In An Outpost of Progress Joseph Conrad didn't try to point out the beauty in all people, no matter what their color or culture. Instead, he showed us that all people are capable of evil like murder, slavery and suicide.
Thankyou soo much ..i was searching for an outpost of progress summary for my exam and this helps alot..do more of this pleas!
Echt gute Zusammenfassung
Thanks❤❤
Conrad became a British citizen, but in Africa he worked in the Belgian Congo. In 'Heart of Darkness', Conrad suggests that only the British Empire knew how to run a colonial empire with any sense of fairness and humanity. As it turned out, not quite true, but more truthful than most today will accept. The Belgian Congo, under Leopold's rule, was a barbaric atrocity, but the Dutch in SE Asia were not far behind in terms of their racism and cruelty to the indigenous peoples there. And that's not to mention thousands of years around the entire globe in which brutal slavery, human sacrifice and cannablism had been practiced almost as a matter of course.
Cultural relativism is very crafty and factually misleading. At the same moment Victorians were transforming the world with new technologies such as steam and electricity, cannabalism was still rife across Central Africa - one has only to read contemporary accounts of witnesses (such as explorers, etc). All cultures were not equal - not by a wide mark - if you are taking into consideration technological advance and progress.
Conrad's story 'An Outpost of Progress' is unusual for it's time in so much as it criticises the so-called 'civilizing mission' of imperial colonial powers, pointing out that we are, indeed, all human beings, perhaps all even savages, once the apparatus of 'civilisation' is stripped-away. And he wrote and published this at a time when global colonial powers were at their zenith - triumphant with it. This was a theme he would return to, with much greater effect, in 'Heart of Darkness'.
I can't find anyone on TH-cam commenting on Kayurtz the ivory trader in this book and Kurtz from Heart Of Darkness who might be the same man "reborn" of this trauma. This would be a great video.
大学の授業出とても役に立ちました。
ありがとう😊
Amazing, and very helpful
SO GOOD AND HELPFUL THANK U
Thank you. I just read story. Well written. Sad.
.
Alter morgen Englisch Arbeit gar kein bock
so insightful
Good job!
BK liked it
Good job!!
wow impressive!!
thank u so much
Good job . I like your analysing . Please can you write it in a comment if it possible because i need it
This short story is written by Joseph Conrad who was born in Ukraine 1857, to polish parents. In 1874 after his parents died, Joesph Conrad joined the French navy then the british merchant navy in 1882 and as a result he became a british citizen in 1886. 3 years after, he travelled to Congo to fulfill an ambition he had since his childhood. But after a while he returned to Europe with an emotional trauma caused by the atrocities he witnessed there. These experiences served as inspiration to write Heart of Darkness and An Outpost of Progress.
The story is about two English white men, Kayerts and Carlier, who took over a trading station in Central Africa, their job is simple they have to supervise the collection of ivory in the station. Although the Europeans do trade goods, their underlying purpose is to export “civilization,” from Europe to Africa. Carlier and Kayerts are living in colonial times. England and other European countries have control over Africa. The native people are seen as in need of being civilized. As the steamer that dropped them off disappears, Carlier and Kayerts already begin to feel uneasy. Out in the jungle with no other Europeans to support their views about the world, they sense that they are out of their element, and not up to the task they have been assigned. The first thing they see is a cross under which their predecessor lies buried, having died of a fever. Then they meet Makola, a native man who’s married and has 3 kids. Makola is their native comrade. He is acting as the foreman for ten other natives who should be looking for ivory.
Makola ended up doing all the work they’re supposed to do because they simply have no idea how to do it. For this reason they just stayed in their house doing nothing but reading old books. One day a group of natives comes by and stated that they have more ivory than they can carry, which is of great interest to Carlier and Kayerts, who have to make any good trades. Consequently, Makola offers to take care of the ivory trade and the men agree. In the morning, they discover all the native employees have disappeared. Makola tells them he traded the men for ivory. Therefore, got angry and upset that their morals have been directly challenged, so they decided they should have nothing to do with the ivory because it is a result of slavery. However, after their initial protest, they change their mind because they know the ivory will make their director happy. And from that moment on the men started feeling that they’ve changed during the time they spent in Africa and not for the better. They are descending into confusion and fear which then came to the surface after an argument over sugar. Carlier gives way to his emotions, calling Kayerts a “slave-dealer.” Kayerts is unable to accept the truth and responds violently. The two men begin chasing each other around their house. Finally, Kayerts shoots Carlier dead because he felt threatened by the gun in Carlier’s hand, but then he realized that Carlier was unarmed. The book ends with the Managing Director of the steamship coming through the fog only to see that Kayerts is hanging dead on a cross.
Now that we know all relevant information about the story and its author it’s time to begin analyzing “An outpost of Progress”. Having returned to Europe with an emotional trauma caused by the atrocities he witnessed in Congo one can assume that Joseph Conrad is totally against colonialism, which will be reflected on his story. Let’s see how Joseph Conrad criticizes colonialism although the title says otherwise. Colonialism as we all know is supposed to be bringing light to the dark uncivilized places on earth. European colonists saw it as their duty to conquer and rule countries containing different cultures and races. They didn’t know what cultural diversity is. People were placed on a scale of value, from highest to lowest. The people of Africa were seen as the lowest kind of people. At some pint there was even debate about whether they were fully human. European colonists believed they were at the high end of human development. They thought it was their right, to expand European beliefs, values and social constructs all over the world.
Joseph Conrad criticizes colonialism by choosing two incompetent and lazy fellows, who come to Congo for material reasons only, to be the ones responsible for bringing light to Africa. But that won’t work because of the mentality Kayerts and Carlier are coming with, which is that they’re civilized while the others are “savage.” They are so bound by their own European culture, they are unable to appreciate the land and the culture that surrounds them. They are incapable of perceiving that non-European cultures have value and structure of their own. Once the routine and structure of their own country is taken away, the men have only themselves to rely on. Their own fears, insecurities, failings and weaknesses come to the surface. Which is exactly what Joseph Conrad is trying to explain people are people, no matter what the color of their skin, or the structure of their culture. He achieved at presenting the darker side of humanity. In this story, nearly everyone cannot be trusted. Makola, the band of strangers, Carlier and Kayerts; all are judging one another as inferior. This story reveals the ugly underside of humanity, both native and European. Carlier, Makola and Kayerts all choose commerce over their fellow human beings. Makola sacrifices native people in order to provide ivory to the traders at the station. Carlier and Kayerts are initially disgusted with the idea, but then accept the benefit, which is making their director happy. After letting go of their own morals, Kayerts and Carlier start loosing their mind they fight over sugar and end up with Kayerts killing Carlier because of becoming paranoid.
To sum up by presenting this side of humans we now have evidence that all men are equal from the dark side of the equation. In An Outpost of Progress Joseph Conrad didn't try to point out the beauty in all people, no matter what their color or culture. Instead, he showed us that all people are capable of evil like murder, slavery and suicide.
wow vera 😂
edi ya veraa
Empire had its faults but we (British) did civilise large parts of the world