Colonialism in an Outpost of Progress
Dr. Chappell
ENG 106W
19 March 2013
Colonialism and Irony in “An Outpost of Progress” “An Outpost of Progress” is a story of irony and colonialism in Africa in the nineteenth century, written by Joseph Conrad. In this Story two European men, named Kayerts and Carlier, are deployed to a trading outpost in a remote part of the African jungle. They take part ivory trading in hopes of making themselves and the company they work for wealthier. Trading outposts in the late nineteenth century were a trademark for colonialist efforts in foreign lands. Colonialism is the establishment, exploitation, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory (Wikipedia). During the nineteenth century Africa had to deal with a lot of pressure from European imperialists. These pressures included diplomatic pressures, military invasions, and eventual colonization. By the early twentieth century, the majority of Africa had been colonized by European powers. Although heavily colonized already, Africa, the “vast and dark country” (Conrad Page 2) represented a large territory that had not been taken advantage of completely for its land and natural resources. England along with many other colonialist powers made many attempts at Africa in an attempt to continue their colonialist dominance. “It is inherent in a great colonial and commercial empire like ours that we go forward” (Lugard 585). An example of colonialist tactics that were implemented towards the end of the nineteenth century that Conrad incorporated in “An outpost of progress” was Kayerts and Carlier being assigned to the trading outpost in Africa. These two men were transferred from government posts at home and sent, like the previous station chief to the unknown country to “civilize” the natives and establish good local markets and to earn profits to send home. However, Kayerts and Carlier were in no way, shape, or form the men for the job and the Director of the company
ENG 106W
19 March 2013
Colonialism and Irony in “An Outpost of Progress” “An Outpost of Progress” is a story of irony and colonialism in Africa in the nineteenth century, written by Joseph Conrad. In this Story two European men, named Kayerts and Carlier, are deployed to a trading outpost in a remote part of the African jungle. They take part ivory trading in hopes of making themselves and the company they work for wealthier. Trading outposts in the late nineteenth century were a trademark for colonialist efforts in foreign lands. Colonialism is the establishment, exploitation, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory (Wikipedia). During the nineteenth century Africa had to deal with a lot of pressure from European imperialists. These pressures included diplomatic pressures, military invasions, and eventual colonization. By the early twentieth century, the majority of Africa had been colonized by European powers. Although heavily colonized already, Africa, the “vast and dark country” (Conrad Page 2) represented a large territory that had not been taken advantage of completely for its land and natural resources. England along with many other colonialist powers made many attempts at Africa in an attempt to continue their colonialist dominance. “It is inherent in a great colonial and commercial empire like ours that we go forward” (Lugard 585). An example of colonialist tactics that were implemented towards the end of the nineteenth century that Conrad incorporated in “An outpost of progress” was Kayerts and Carlier being assigned to the trading outpost in Africa. These two men were transferred from government posts at home and sent, like the previous station chief to the unknown country to “civilize” the natives and establish good local markets and to earn profits to send home. However, Kayerts and Carlier were in no way, shape, or form the men for the job and the Director of the company
Cited: Conrad, Joseph, “An Outpost of Progress”, ERes LUGARD, Frederick D. The Rise of Our East African Empire: Early Efforts in Nyasaland and Uganda Nyasaland and Eastern Africa, Vol. 1 Uganda, Vol. 2. Frank Cass: n.p., 1968. Print. Nthomang, Keitseope. "Relentless Colonialism: The Case of the Remote Area Development Programme (RADP) and the Basarwa in Botswana." The Journal of Modern African Studies 42.03 (2004): n. pag. JSTOR. Web. Osinubi, Taiwo A. "Chinua Achebe and the Uptakes of African Slaveries." Research in African Literatures 40.4 (2009): 25-46. JSTOR. Web. Pearson, Karl. National Life from the Standpoint of Science. London: A. and C. Black, 1905. Print. Stanard, M. G. " 'Interwar Pro-Empire Propaganda and European Colonial Culture: Toward a Comparative Research Agenda '" Journal of Contemporary History 44.1 (2009): 27-48. JSTOR. Web. "Colonialism." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Aug. 2013. Web. 19 Mar.