I'm currently reading Joyce for my university studies. The reason is that my final essay has to be on a Joyce short story, and I really want to familiarize myself with his writing style. To my surprise, it has been quite interesting.

I've never had a particular interest in reading plays. However, the dynamic between the characters in this one caught my attention. The idea of the men being so open about their relationships and love was definitely not what I had expected from a play published in 1915. It was quite refreshing in a way.

On the other hand, I wasn't a fan of how the women were portrayed. They seemed to be immediately vicious towards one another, which felt a bit one-sided. Overall, it was an okay read, but I don't think I'll be reading any other Joyce plays once I'm done with this essay. I'll probably focus more on his short stories and novels to further explore his literary works.

One of the greatest plays I have ever read is "Exiles."

Unlike some of Joyce's other works, this one is a nice and short, straight-forward story.

"Exiles" is the story of a love rectangle (not just a love triangle). If Jimmy had been born half a century later, he might have been involved in the wife-swapping phenomenon. He was definitely a libertine, so it's no wonder he didn't stay in Ireland and its stifling, uber-conservative Catholic society at the time.

There is great tension in the play between Robert and Richard over Bertha, who is Richard's wife. It's not clear if Bertha is in love with Robert or not, but she is at least attracted to him as a friend. In "Exiles," Joyce attempts for the first time to express his own ethics of love through his literature. This means allowing the other to engage with others physically and sexually while remaining ignorant of this knowledge. To Joyce, passion and lust are natural feelings that should be explored, not ignored and buried. However, once people start having affairs, it causes great tension and troubles in otherwise stable relationships, like that of Richard and Bertha's. Their relationship is stale, with Richard focusing on his writing and still dealing with the guilt from a past transgression. In a sense, his encouraging Bertha to have an affair with Robert may be his way of atoning for this guilt on a psychological level.

The title "Exiles" has several possible interpretations. In the afterword of the book, Joyce himself gives one explanation - "at the end either Robert or Richard must go into exile." I also think it reflects Joyce's feelings as an Irish ex-pat living in Trieste.

Highly recommended. This is a short and exciting read that helps explain a lot about Joyce's ethics, which are a recurring theme in his greatest work, "Ulysses," which he was just beginning to write at the time of composing "Exiles."

The theme of this play is particularly dear to me.

I have taken great pleasure in approaching this reading and in reading some of the dialogues.

There are dialogues that are so... True and close to the essence of human torments in the realm of love.

It is a play that would appeal to all those to whom jealousy, possessiveness, love and friendship, and rivalry are of particular interest.

This play seems to capture the complex and often tumultuous emotions that people experience in their relationships.

The dialogues are not only thought-provoking but also have the power to resonate with the audience on a deep level.

Whether one has experienced the pangs of jealousy or the joys of love, this play offers a unique perspective and a chance to explore these emotions further.

It is a work that can touch the hearts and minds of many, and leave a lasting impression.

If someone is not satisfied with the love triangles, then let them read this love square.

In this complex web of emotions, there are four individuals involved instead of the traditional three. Each person has their own unique feelings and desires, which often clash and intertwine.

The love square presents a more intricate and challenging situation compared to the love triangle. There are more relationships to navigate, more emotions to handle, and more decisions to make.

It forces the characters to confront their true feelings and face the consequences of their actions. Will they be able to find a way to resolve the conflicts and find happiness within this love square? Only time will tell.

So, if you think you've seen it all with love triangles, prepare to be intrigued by the drama and complexity of the love square.

I have always been a great admirer of Joyce. His works have often intrigued and inspired me. However, this particular play of his left me completely uninterested. It seems that perhaps the playwriting format is not his forte.

I was really looking forward to experiencing his unique style and creativity in this play, but unfortunately, it failed to capture my attention. The story lacked the depth and complexity that I have come to expect from Joyce's writing. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plot was rather dull.

Despite my disappointment with this play, I still have a great deal of respect for Joyce as an author. I will continue to explore his other works, hoping to find the brilliance that I know he is capable of. Maybe this was just an off day for him, and I look forward to seeing what else he has in store for us in the future.

I'm sure all the semi-autobiographical stuff would make a Joyce superfan happy.

However, as for me, I almost cannot believe this is the same person who wrote Dubliners.

The works seem to have such a distinct difference in style and tone.

The semi-autobiographical elements might add a layer of personal depth and authenticity for some, but for me, it's like seeing a completely different side of the author.

It makes me wonder if Joyce was evolving as a writer, or if there were other factors at play that led to this divergence.

While I can appreciate the efforts and the unique perspective offered by the semi-autobiographical works, I still find myself drawn more to the elegance and precision of Dubliners.

Maybe it's because that was the first work of Joyce's that I encountered, and it left a lasting impression on me.

But regardless of the reason, the contrast between the two is undeniable and continues to fascinate me.

Exiles is the sole play penned by James Joyce. Deeply inspired by Henrik Ibsen's plays, Joyce purportedly wrote it as a homage to that great Norwegian playwright. However, the play did not fare well. In fact, it is regarded as the least successful among all of Joyce's published works.

The story of the play is, to some extent, modeled after the author himself. It commences with the arrival of Richard Rowan and his common-law wife, Bertha, in Dublin after a long self-imposed exile, much like the author who lived in self-imposed exile with his partner, periodically making his sojourn in Dublin.

The plot is rather complex for a short play. Joyce's unorthodox views on free human relationships are a key theme here. The accompanying themes of love, passion, jealousy, isolation, and separation, which are the natural consequences of all human relationships, play a vital role. These themes are subtly exposed through the relationship between Richard and Bertha. Richard, who believes in open and free human relationships, encourages Bertha to respond to Robert's seductive advances. Bertha is perturbed as she is devoted to Richard body and soul. Richard's rather cool acceptance that they should be open and free in their relationship and his non-insistence on Bertha's fidelity make her feel isolated and separated from him. But can Richard truly be indifferent? How will Bertha act? What will be Robert's place between the husband and wife? All this drama unfolds in this "three cat and mouse acts".

Critics have held diverse views on the play. It is said to have "neither the enchantment of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man nor the richness of Ulysses". Its dramatic aptness is considered lacking for a theatrical performance. While this may be true, I believe the main reason for its negative reception is Joyce's views on open and free marriages, which allow each partner to freely pursue physical intimacies elsewhere, a concept that was by all means too wild and ahead of his time.

The title "Exiles" has been interpreted as both physical separation from one's own country and spiritual isolation. All that may be correct. But I would like to interpret it as the isolation and separation of a man and woman in a relationship, whether open and free as in this case or otherwise. The constant doubts and jealousies, the difference in characters, and the general dissatisfaction in life alienate one from the other and make them strangers. I would like to think that is what Joyce's "Exiles" is all about.

I have not read James Joyce extensively enough to truly appreciate him as an author. I have only read Dubliners, of which I have mixed feelings. But it is undoubtedly true that his works are thought-provoking. Perhaps Exiles does not have sufficient drama and theatrical qualities to suit it for theatre performances, but it is nevertheless a stimulating read and worthy of the reading time.

Originally published on my blog here in May 2001.

Among all of Joyce's mature works, his sole play is likely the least renowned. It is also one of his least accomplished pieces, having never achieved significant success on the stage. Demonstrating an unusual lack of confidence, it strongly shows its influences.

The Exiles manages to be both dull enough to seem longer than its actual length and unsatisfying enough to seem shorter. This is because Joyce赋予了理查德这个角色所有真实的性格特点；他和其他任何人都只对了解自己感兴趣。但即使对于理查德，我们也无法理解他鼓励妻子潜在不忠行为背后的动机，这是该剧的主要戏剧内容；有暗示表明这源于某种厌女冲动，但这并不是真正恰当的解释（这种冲动从何而来？）。

该剧风格的主要范本是易卜生，这是通过萧伯纳的评论和威廉·阿彻的翻译所折射出来的。这个版本的引言将《人民公敌》作为一个特别的范本，但我发现很难看出这两部剧之间的相似之处——尤其是因为政治在其中一部剧中极其重要，而在另一部剧中几乎没有提及。该剧从易卜生那里借鉴的主要方面是角色之间的互动方式（尽管这些在戏剧上不太成功）以及对家庭生活中有争议问题的坦率态度。

乔伊斯对爱尔兰人与爱尔兰关系的关注在这里有所减弱，但这就是该剧标题的原因；该剧的背景事件是罗恩一家从国外生活回到爱尔兰。也许一部更能反映他作为作家的其他关注点的戏剧会更充分地展现他的才华；事实上，《流亡者》可能是他最令人失望的作品。

A play that deals with a love triangle. At first glance, it may seem simple: Richard is with Bertha and they both have a son.

Robert (a journalist and friend of Richard) is hopelessly in love with Bertha. A plot of love, discussion unfolds...

However, the emotions and conflicts of each character are complex.

The play is engaging throughout. It is good, but don't expect a masterpiece that will change your life... You won't find it here. But it serves its purpose well.

For example, the relationship between Richard and Bertha might seem stable on the surface, but there could be underlying tensions and unspoken desires. Robert's unrequited love adds another layer of complexity to the story, creating conflicts and emotional turmoil.

The play might explore themes such as love, loyalty, and betrayal, but in a more accessible and entertaining way. It may not offer profound insights or revolutionary ideas, but it can still provide an enjoyable evening of theater.

In conclusion, while this play may not be a life-changing masterpiece, it has its own charm and value. It can engage the audience, make them laugh and cry, and leave them with some food for thought.

RICHARD: Listen carefully. She is no more. She lies motionless on my bed. I gaze at her lifeless body, the body that I betrayed in the most despicable and numerous ways. But yet, I also loved her deeply, and shed countless tears over her. And I am fully aware that her body was always my loyal servant. To me, and only to me, she gave her all. [He suddenly stops speaking and turns away, overcome with emotion and unable to continue.] She was always there for me, through thick and thin. But I, in my foolishness and greed, took her for granted and hurt her again and again. Now, as I stand here looking at her, I am filled with remorse and regret. If only I could turn back time and make things right. But it is too late. She is gone forever, and I am left with the memories of my mistakes and the pain in my heart.

I don't understand most of them and all the fancy words in English.

It can be quite challenging when faced with a language that has so many unfamiliar terms and expressions.

English is a complex language with a wide range of vocabulary, and sometimes it feels overwhelming.

Whether it's the technical jargon, the idiomatic phrases, or the literary words, they all seem to pose a barrier to my understanding.

I often find myself struggling to make sense of what is being said or written.

However, I am determined to improve my English skills and overcome this obstacle.

I will continue to study hard, practice speaking and writing, and expand my vocabulary.

With time and effort, I hope to be able to understand and communicate effectively in English, without being intimidated by the fancy words.

A psychologically interesting exploration of a series of interconnected relationships was presented. However, it was less engaging for the reader or theatre-goer.

Some interesting points were indeed raised on themes such as fidelity, freedom, and guilt. Nevertheless, without a significant amount of action or an actual plot to support them, the whole piece ultimately fell flat and gave the impression of being rather stagnant.

Several opportunities for action or drama to unfold were not only overlooked but also undermined by Joyce. This created an interesting psychological phenomenon, yet it was once again less interesting for any audiences. Regrettably, I am of the opinion that it would be more fascinating to analyze and study this text rather than to witness it being performed.

Perhaps with some adjustments and the addition of more dynamic elements, the work could become more captivating and engaging for both readers and theatre audiences alike. As it stands, though, it leaves much to be desired in terms of entertainment value.