An Outpost Of Progress

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The author creates symbolism in the Cross in a variety of ways.

• What is the symbolism of the Cross?  (topic sentence)
• Identify and discuss at least 2 passages in the story that feature the Cross.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain the symbolism of the cross and its role in the story’s development of one of the following themes: The Hypocrisy of Western Colonialism, The Moral Degeneracy of Human Nature, or Existential Loneliness.

2. Kayerts and Carlier pose as progressive men from a “civilized” Belgium—a pose that is revealed to be a façade after Makola trades for the ivory.

• How does Conrad use irony to reveal Kayerts and Carlier’s hypocrisy? (topic sentence)
• Identify at least 2 passages that juxtapose, or contrast, Kayerts and Carlier’s supposed beliefs and their actions.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Conrad uses juxtaposition and irony to reveal the hypocrisy of the western characters and The Hypocrisy of Western Colonialism or The Moral Degeneracy of Human Nature.

3. Consider the physical construction of the camp as well as the events that occur there.

• How is the title “An Outpost of Progress” ironic? (topic sentence)
• Identify at least 2 passages that contrast the idea of progress with the reality of the outpost.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how the contrast of the idea of progress and the reality of the outpost is ironic. Consider connecting this irony to The Hypocrisy of Western Colonialism.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Is Conrad's story, and his treatment of the African characters, a reflection of the time, a reflection of Conrad’s own racism, a mixture of both, or something else? Research Joseph Conrad and European colonialism of Africa to find evidence that supports your claim. Consider connecting your research to the theme The Hypocrisy of Western Colonialism or The Moral Degeneracy of Human Nature. Write a well-developed essay that includes an introduction with a thesis statement, several body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. Support your ideas with specific textual examples from the story and your research. Please remember to cite all direct quotes and paraphrased examples.

2. What does “An Outpost of Progress” tell the reader about society’s impact on humans? Consider the following questions: Are humans moral because they live in a society? Or does having moral humans create a moral society? Are humans inherently moral, or do humans learn morality from society? Consider the themes of The Hypocrisy of Human Nature, The Moral Degeneracy of Human Nature, and Existential Loneliness. Write a well-developed essay that includes a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Support your ideas with specific textual examples. Please remember to cite all direct quotes and paraphrased examples.

3. In “An Outpost of Progress,” Conrad writes:

“A man may destroy everything within himself, love, and hate and belief, and even doubt; but as long as he clings to life he cannot destroy fear, subtle, dark, indestructible, and terrible, that pervades his being; that tinges his thoughts; that lurks in his heart; that watches on his lips the struggle of his last breath.” (Part 2, Paragraph 36)

How does Conrad support this idea throughout the story? Do you agree with his assessment of humanity? Write a well-developed essay that includes an introduction with a thesis statement, several body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. Support your ideas with specific textual examples from the story. Please remember to cite all direct quotes and paraphrased examples.