Joseph Conrad

An Outpost of Progress Illustrated Joseph Conrad

An Outpost of Progress is a short story written in July 1896 by Joseph Conrad, drawing on his own experience at Congo. The story deals with two European men, named Kayerts and Carlier, who are assigned to a trading post in a remote part of the African Jungle. 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 time goes by. At one point in the story, the native Makola, serving as Kayerts's and Carlier's bookkeeper, initiates an exchange of slaves for ivory.