An Outpost of Progress

Here are the pre-reading questions for An Outpost of Progress by Joseph Conrad. Answer one THEN read the story.

1. Is it reasonable to expect someone to maintain his or her ideals in a corrupt environment - for instance, in a place where no one respected or obeyed the law, or treated others with dignity?

2. What are some ways that a person can be or feel - enslaved?

3. What is your definition of "civilization"? What are some advantages and disadvantages of living in a civilized society?

4. What might make a rational, sane person go mad?

Here are interpretive Note Sources for the second reading.
Mark places where Kayerts and Carlier show how unfit they are for life at the trading station.

Mark places where Kayerts and Carlier show that they are "insignificant and incapable" men.

Here are the Interpretive Questions for Discussion:
1. Why does Kayerts commit suicide when he hears the steamer's whistle?

2. Why, after so many months alone, does Kayerts feel that he hardly knows Carlier? Why does their friendship cease to strengthen with time, but instead disintegrate?

3. Why are Kayerts and Carlier more troubled than Makola about selling the station men for ivory?

4. Why does Makola despise the two white men?

5. Is Makola evil? Why is he portrayed as such a good family man? Why does he have two names - one African and one European?

6. Why, according to Conrad, does contact "with primitive nature and primitive man" bring "sudden and profound trouble into the heart"? (193)

7. Why is Kayerts' and Carlier's sense of morality unable to sustain them in the wilderness?

8. Why does trading the ivory for the men make Kayerts and Carlier feel like "something from within them was gone, something that worked for their safety"? (210)

9. Why is the quarrel between Kayerts and Carlier triggered when Carlier asks for sugar in his coffee? Why is Kayerts afraid of becoming a slave if he gives in?

10. Why do Kayerts and Carlier change their minds about accepting the ivory tusks that Makola secures by selling the ten company station men?

11. Why is Kayerts so upset when Carlier refers to him as a "stingy old slave-dealer"? (212)

12. Why does killing Carlier cause Kayerts to think that all his thoughts and convictions were "contemptible and childish, false and ridiculous"? (216)

13. What is the "highest wisdom" with which Kayerts becomes familiar on the night after he shoots Carlier? Why does he feel at peace in the conviction that his life has no more secrets from him? (217)

14. Why is the fate of the two white men made to depend on Gobila?

15. Why does Conrad say that "belief in ...safety" is the essence of character? (193) Why does he say that fear is the one indestructible emotion? (209)

Passages for Textual Analysis

Page 193: beginning, "The two men watched the steamer," and ending, "and tries the civilized nerves of the foolish and the wise alike."

pages 208 - 209: beginning, "I can see it!" and ending, "Of course; let him decide,' approved Carlier."

pages 209-210: beginning, "At midday they made a hearty meal," and ending, "to envelop them with a solicitude irrestistible, familiar, and disgusting."

Pages 216-217: beginning, "Night came," and ending, "Help!...My God!"

Post-Discussion Writing

1. Are people evil because human nature is flawed or because our society is flawed?

2. Does our complex society make it more difficult to know and accept one's true nature?

3. Is there "progress" in human nature?

4. You are a talk show host and Makola (Mr. Price) comes on as your guest. What questions would you ask him? How would he answer your questions?

5. Do you think anyone in the position of Kayerts and Carlier would eventually go mad, as they did?