Outpost of Progress | Topics for Discussion & Projects

Outpost of Progress Key Questions

One approach for discussing "Outpost of Progress" could focus on parallels and contrasts with Heart of Darkness. Since most readers interested in Conrad's work will be familiar with the more famous story, it should be easy to develop comparisons between that novella and the handling of similar themes in "Outpost of Progress."

Another interesting approach might be to discuss the question of racism in regard to Conrad's treatment of native Africans. In the opening passages of the story, Conrad's narrative voice uses the word nigger as a descriptive term for the black Africans. Although such a use was fairly common in nineteenth century writing, the word has become overwhelmingly associated with racist feeling.

Moreover, in the era of political correctness, the word has been virtually demonized, since many argue that its mere ap pearance in any novel is sufficient to make the book racist in character....
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