Born in 19th-century Poland, Joseph Conrad lived an extraordinary life as a world traveler. Attracted by reading, maps and the dream of becoming a sailor, Conrad led a multi-talented life, traveled the world and wrote masterpieces that only a man with such a background could compose. Only once the full and active life of Joseph Conrad is understood, then tales such as “Amy Foster” and “An Outpost of Progress” can be appreciated in their entirety. The latter have the particularity of being set in a foreign environment and the respective protagonists are thrown into an unknown environment, a context that will sound familiar to most travellers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Indeed, in "Amy Foster", Yanko, originally from Eastern Europe, is shipwrecked in England; as in “An Outpost of Progress,” Carlier and Kayerts, both firmly rooted in Western Europe, find themselves somewhere in the Congo. At first glance these two destinations do not seem to have anything in common. However, what links the central figures of these two tales is that all of them are thrown into a new environment and have no choice but to face the unknown. Therefore, the aim of this article is firstly to show the main divergences between the two stories and bring them closer together, but also to examine their similarities and finally to discuss whether the protagonists of each story suffer similarly due to their exile despite the variations. because of space and cultures. If we were asked what distinguishes “Amy Foster” from “An Outpost of Progress” or vice versa, the answers would be endless. However, a comparison between two opposite things makes no sense if they have nothing in common and this explains the need to connect these two stories in the first instance. Furthermore, some differences between these narratives can be surprisingly erased or at least reduced in some way, such as the places in which they are set and the reasons that compel the protagonists to travel. As mentioned above, the places where the main characters are located have nothing in common a priori. Yanko finds himself in a British village, Colebrook, an area mostly described as rural; while the protagonists of “An Outpost of Progress” travel to a much more exotic place, Africa. Furthermore, the situations of the protagonists are different: Yanko does not know where he is, as the reader knows and on the contrary, Carlier and Kayerts seem to be aware of their location when their audience only knows that they are in Congo, an area rather vast. However, it seems that all these variations from one story to another are meaningless, as M'hamed Bensemmane explains: “This is deemed unimportant by the narrator, who prefers to focus on the strangeness of the place and tries to achieve a de-familiarization effect ” rather than targeting the particularities of both sites (Bensemmane, p. 2). The reasons that force the protagonists to move to the new environment also consist of another divergence between the stories. In fact, Yanko has no intention of moving to England as he initially wanted to go to America but is shipwrecked, unlike Carlier and Kayerts who are both willing to move to Congo. Kayerts repeats that he came to earn money for his daughter Melie, as Carlier was sent there by his family. Although the latter initially seem satisfied with their new job, when Carlier says that "[h]e, like Kayerts, regretted his old life" (Conrad, Heart of Darkness and Other Tales, p. 7) and of the fact that"[the two men [...] cared about nothing other than the passing of the days that separated them from the return of the steamer" (ibid., p. 8), therefore their desire to return home cannot be contested. Consequently, what once again links the two stories is each protagonist's desire to leave the place where they are trapped. It can be concluded that there is a divergence regarding the places in which the stories are set and the reasons that lead the protagonists to where they are. However, what “Amy Foster” and “An Outpost of Progress” have in common is that all the central figures are thrown into unknown lands and have no choice but to stay there. Therefore, a comparison of the protagonists' adventures can be discussed as the stories converge on central aspects. Yanko, Carlier and Kayerts, in fact, face some similar experiences in their new land, such as cultural and environmental differences, difficulties related to relationships with the inhabitants and communication. As a matter of fact, this accumulation leads the heroes of the two stories to a feeling of eternal strangeness, nostalgia and loneliness. The borders of one's own country are quickly crossed, cultural differences are inevitable and their impact can be surprisingly important for foreigners. The way of behaving, the climate or simply a change in food tastes give the outsider the impression that he will never feel at home. For example, the distance between Eastern and Western Europe is not very impressive on a global scale. However, in “Amy Foster,” Kennedy recounts that for Yanko “England was an undiscovered country” and that “he might have expected to find here wild beasts or wild men” (Conrad, Selected Short Stories, p. 103). It is also surprising that Yanko knew little about the maritime world when he calls ships “steam engines that went on the water” or “a big house on the water” (ibid., p. 106). Even basic elements such as earth, grass or trees are unknown to him in this new environment (ibid., p. 114). Culturally speaking, he continues to wonder about the opening hours of churches in England which are only open at weekends. By restricting the opening to him, the inhabitants of Colebrook also limit the time dedicated to prayer (ibid., p. 116). Being a strong believer, Yanko's habit of praying before going to bed is viewed with skepticism even by others. Later in the story, when Yanko tries to seduce Amy, he offers her a ribbon as he would have done in his country. The oriental man is aware that this gift has no greater effect on Amy than any other gift, but in his culture this would have been much more significant. What disturbs Yanko in British civilization is also the fact that he ignores the marriage procedure there (ibid., p. 118). Finally, the most striking example in “Amy Foster” regarding cultural differences is when Yanko wants to dance and share this tradition with the residents of Colebrook, he is perceived badly and is rejected twice. The master of the house qualifies this dance as an “acrobat's trick in the tavern” and the outsider ends up with a black eye (ibid., p. 117). Thus, Yanko has no choice but to conform to British culture to fit in, even though he will never fully succeed. The biggest change between Africa and Europe is probably the climate, although Kayerts, as soon as he gets off the boat, states that "it's not any worse than at home, as long as you stay out of the sun" (Conrad, Heart of Darkness and Other Stories, page 6). It's an ironic statement knowing how strong the sun can be there, but also knowing the impact of the Congolese climate on two men throughout history. Once they arrive, Carlier and Kayerts immediately settle into their new home doing their best to feel at home, “an impossible task”in the narrator's opinion (ibid., p. 6). The cultural contrast is less salient in “An Outpost of Progress,” as the protagonists are less confronted with another civilized society like Yanko's. However, in a certain sense they also suffer from their new environment: they were used to being conditioned by European society and once they arrived in this completely new place, they feel like “prisoners who, freed after many years, do not know what to use for make of one's freedom" (ibid., p. 6). They soon feel lost and begin to miss the simple things of their daily life, showing that the peaceful African routine of the two men makes them miss the little spicy things of their European life (ibid., p. 6-7). Indeed, as lazy and unambitious workers, Carlier and Kayerts' days seem very long to them, even "endless" (ibid., p. 8). Another difference can be observed in food. The men are not well provided for by the Company, a deficiency to which they are probably not accustomed. It is therefore Gobila's wife who provides them with local food (ibid., p. 10), made up of new flavours. Regarding the nutritional variation from one culture to another, the narrator also tells the story of some tribes who had to be fed by the Company with rice, a nourishment to which they were not accustomed and which made them "unhealthy and miserable" (ibid., pag. .13). In conclusion, Carlier, Kayerts and Yanko, are all influenced by cultural and environmental differences depending on the country they are in and no matter how hard they try to feel at home, none of them succeed. Another aspect that goes hand in hand with the discovery of a new culture is getting to know the inhabitants. In both stories the first contact between the locals and the protagonists is somewhat difficult. Although there is some sort of evolution in every relationship, a full integration of foreigners does not seem conceivable. In “Amy Foster,” the residents' first impression of Yanko is unhappy. Indeed, the children call him “a horrible-looking man,” some children describe him as “a funny tramp,” while Smith thinks he is “a mean, anonymous creature sitting cross-legged in the midst of a lot of loose straw and she rocks herself and away like a caged bear” (Conrad, Selected Short Stories, p. 108-9). Yanko is also said to be of “an inexplicable strangeness” and defined as a “maniac” (ibid., p. 109), a “creature” or finally a “madman” (ibid., p. 112). Furthermore, as if all these qualifications weren't enough, he is often compared to some sort of animal. He is locked in one of Swaffer's buildings, grooms himself as a cat would, covers himself with horse blankets, and panics as a caged bird would (ibid., p. 112). Later in the story, the reader learns that once he is a little more civilized, he will still not be allowed to eat at the kitchen table like humans do. Fortunately, Yanko develops special relationships with some of the inhabitants. Kennedy becomes his friend and confesses that he never misses an opportunity to discuss with him (ibid., p. 107). Mr. Swaffer is another person who takes an interest in Yanko. However, cheap labor is probably the main reason for doing so. And finally, the mysterious Amy Foster is the first to approach Yanko without fear and consequently appears to him as an angel. As previously mentioned, the relationship between Yanko and the residents of Colebrook evolves. It happens the day he saves Swaffer's great daughter and from that moment Yanko seems to be considered more humane. He is now allowed to eat at the kitchen table and is paid for the work he does (ibid., p. 116). However, despite this slight improvement, Kennedy explains that “[last time] people got used to seeing it.But they never got used to him" (ibid., p. 116). The most fitting examples are that the inhabitants never accept Yanko's dances and when he wants to marry Amy and her father states that "[Yanko] was very good with sheep, but he was not fit to marry any girl" (ibid., p. 119). Regarding the position Yanko finds himself in, halfway from being a complete stranger but still far from being a Colebrook resident, Myrtle Hooper explains: “There is nothing inherently right or superior about the culture that [Yanko] encounters: it is simply the case that he must obey his dictates to survive. It does, to some extent, but it is never fully integrated: in Krajka's terms, "English villagers refuse to recognize the newcomer's cultural ego, despise the values ​​of his ethnicity, totally deny all the elements of his ethnicity.'” (Hooper, p. 54) Furthermore, it is when Yanko is left alone that he remembers his homeland. For example, the Norwegian pines on Swaffer's property remind him of his country and he wistfully considers them as his brothers. (ibid., p. 115) It finally seems that the refusal leads to nostalgia. “An Outpost of Progress”, the relationship with the natives is limited to the observations of Carlier and Kayerts beasts, calling them “amusing brutes” or “prized animals” (Conrad, Heart of Darkness and Other Stories, p. 8) They mention their body odor with rude comments such as “They don't stink!” (ibid., p. 8) and they talk about them as if they were cows at the livestock market. They make fun of their faces and judge their musculature from a superior perspective. They also have special relationships with some inhabitants. Makola, their handyman, is viewed more humanely because he speaks their language, is obedient and helpful. However, he remains one of the most mysterious characters in the story and no real friendship is born. Carlier and Kayerts also quickly become friends with Gobila, the head of the nearby village. They describe Gobila as friendly, even paternal, and appreciate the furniture he provides them. There is also an evolution of relationships in "An Outpost of Progress" when Carlier and Kayerts indirectly sacrifice some natives for ivory, which ends their relationship with Gobila. They therefore decide to blame Makola for this tragedy to ease their conscience. This is how the protagonists find themselves without any friends besides the others. Like Yanko, it is when the two men are alone together that they wistfully enumerate all the good things they have left in their country, such as “the streets, the sidewalks, the cafes, [their] friends of many years; all the things they saw, day after day; all the thoughts suggested by familiar things" but also "the clinking of sabers and spurs on a beautiful afternoon, the jokes from the barracks" (ibid., p. 6-7). As a result, in both stories relationships are created between foreigners and locals, they all evolve but unfortunately they seem to be taking a turn for the worse and this is where nostalgia lurks. Linked to human contact, communication also plays an important role in both stories. In reality, it is precisely its lack that explains the tragic fate of each protagonist. In “Amy Foster,” it is obvious that the inability to exchange is Yanko's biggest problem and his “talk […] remains the sign of his difference” (Hooper, p. 59). Supporting this idea, the narrator peppers evidence of this problem throughout the story. For example, he compares Yanko's speech to “broken English that curiously resembled the speech of a child” (Conrad, Selected Short Stories, p. 103). The mysterious side of the protagonist is also seen in his way of communicating when he prays with "incomprehensible words" (ibid., p. 116) or when he speaks to himself several times without anyone being able to grasp his intentions while he does so. . The narratoralso underlines the frightening aspect of this language when the protagonist "stutters out loud in a voice that would make one die of fear" (ibid., p. 108) and the story could have ended well if Yanko's speech had not been scaring Amy, especially after the baby is born. If Yanko sees the child as a way to have someone who can understand him and with whom he can finally communicate properly, this only creates a source of anxiety for Amy. Indeed, Hooper explains that "his fear of Yanko is his fear of strangeness, and his fear of strangeness is his fear of his language" (Hooper, p. 60). Finally, it's crucial to remember that the lack of ability to communicate is what leads Yanko to his death, when he asks for a glass of water and Amy thinks he's hallucinating. In “An Outpost of Progress”, Carlier and Kayerts' continuous misunderstanding on many topics is also due to the absence of communication. They cannot share anything with the natives who only make “a rude babble” (Conrad, Heart of Darkness and Other Tales, p. 7) and although they appreciate Gobila, “they did not understand […] that old and incomprehensible creature” ( ibid., p. 9). Ditto when they have an unexpected visitor who “made a long speech” (ibid., p. 11), the protagonists attach importance only to his movements and not to the content of his speech. At one point, they even have difficulty communicating with Makola who usually masters their language but who “seemed not to understand, seemed to have forgotten French – seemed to have forgotten how to speak at all” (ibid., p. 12). Also, like Yanko, communication is also what led to the two men's deaths. In fact, it begins with an insignificant dialogue about sugar, veers towards concerns about authority, and ends with a manhunt. Ultimately, what happened was that Carlier didn't say anything, which made Kayerts believe he was armed and yelled at his father believing he was about to be killed himself. In other words, what causes the death of men is a misunderstanding due to lack of communication. Finally, it can be said that Carlier, Kayerts and Yanko, all have lived the life of foreigners and suffer from cultural differences, acquaintance with a foreign population and suffer from the inability to communicate with them. This accumulation of unfortunate experiences forms a whole called exile. In his article titled “Yanko's Footprints: Edward Said and the Experience of Exile,” Mohammed Salama compares Said's reflections on the topic with the story of Amy Foster. Above all, Said states that “[e]xile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience.” He then explains that it is an "irremediable fracture created between a human body and a native place, between the self and its true home" (Said, p. 173), an image full of meaning once you read both "Amy Foster ” and “An outpost of progress.” Salama highlights Said's view of Conrad's version of exile, finding that: [It is] its ugliness and its stark depiction of the human condition, a great example of the plight of exile, its perpetual strangeness, its constant fear of communication failure and, ultimately, his lonely and unlamented death. (Salama, p. 240) Salama also adds the feeling of homelessness experienced by foreigners and explains that when they suffer from that state, “their soul is always nourished by nostalgia for their own land” (Salama, p. 240). The two stories analyzed in this article satisfy Conrad, Salama and Said's vision of exile. Indeed, cultural differences lead to infinite strangeness, miserable relationships with the inhabitants create nostalgia and the inability to communicate adequately leads to loneliness; in these cases, even until death. This is how a journey can turn into exile. Joseph's Tales./25474235>.