An interesting play indeed, especially when one realizes that it bears a great deal of parallelism to Joyce's own life. The complex love triangle within the play adds an extra layer of intrigue and drama. It makes the audience engage with the characters on a deeper level and wonder about the choices they make and the consequences that follow.

However, there is one word of warning regarding the edition I had. In the introduction, there were numerous errors. The names were misspelled, and the syntax was particularly problematic. This can be quite distracting for the reader, especially when trying to understand the context and background of the play. It is a pity that such errors were present in the introduction, as it could have otherwise provided valuable insights into the play and its author.

The mildly lurid scenario of sexual politics and experimentation presented here feels rather ho-hum, especially 101 years later. The Joyce notes are extremely dense, and one is not entirely certain if they truly reward careful unpacking. However, the introduction by Conor McPherson is breezily interesting. It manages to capture the reader's attention and provides some valuable context. Despite the somewhat lackluster nature of the main content, McPherson's introduction offers a glimmer of hope and makes one wonder if there is more to discover beneath the surface. Perhaps with further exploration and analysis, the true significance of these sexual politics and experimentation scenarios will become clearer.

The theme of adultery was something that intrigued Joyce, not as something foreign and interesting in itself, but rather as something deeply personal that affected his life as a couple with Nora Barnacle. A great deal of this can be found in Richard Ellman's super biography, and it is also a theme in Ulysses.

The approach to the theme of adultery is used explicitly, where we see that Richard gives his ambiguous inner motives: ".. yes, I fear that then I would reproach myself for having monopolized everything because I could not tolerate that she entered another what was after all hers and not mine, because I accepted her fidelity, impoverishing her life in terms of love. That is my fear: the thought that I interpose myself between her and any moment of life that should be hers, between her and you, between her and anyone else, between her and anything."

It finally ends up being a "battle of your soul against the specter of fidelity", Robert tells Richard.

This exploration of adultery in Joyce's life and works adds a layer of complexity and depth to our understanding of his relationships and his creative output. It shows how personal experiences can shape and influence the themes and ideas that an artist explores in their work.

The heart flutters. Fill it to the brim with love, and yet it still flutters at the corners for freedom. Dump in a handful of greed, and it continues to flutter in the remaining space for ablution. Allow peace to be its sole tenant, and it still flutters at the bottom for silent passion.

What do you do with the adamant, furtive heart? One that doesn't know bowing, doesn't recognize rules, doesn't believe in silence, and doesn't belong to society? What can you possibly make it understand when all understanding roots from its depths and all dilemmas are its doing too? Oh! You thought your mind was an experienced superior that could discipline the meek junior heart? Oh no, Sir; this little student takes no taming. It's the only student that is forever the teacher, in essence.

Take a leaf from the genius' mind and rectify your note. Disentangling the heart maze proves too dear for him too.

In the aptly titled Exiles, a middle-aged couple, Richard and Bertha, find their moral allegiances tested by the coyly subdued Beatrice and charmingly passionate Robert respectively. It doesn't help that Richard and Robert are college friends and Beatrice is Robert's cousin. Richard's taut mind often doubles up as a fierce battleground where his morality takes on its nemesis, which creeps up from the tunnels of the heart and hurls abuses recklessly. And Bertha's heart is in the middle of this whirlpool, armed only with its chastity, which gets regularly attacked by the heated waves of mercurial independence. Both are cajoled in active and passive ways to break the pungent shackles and outpour their muted emotions. But does the societal pedestal that has elevated them to their envious, distinguished positions also bind them to its rigorous chains, rooted in tradition and inelasticity? Can they burrow their existence to retrieve an arm potent enough to sever the society's watch gates and impart freedom to the heart bird? Do they even know if the heart is not a migratory bird that, in its frenzy, can take them to an alien land only to abandon it in the next season of life?

Often quoted as an attempt by Joyce to depict his own life through the thinking and conflicting Richard, this play assumes a certain autobiographical garb, which in itself becomes a fascinating journey into the mind-boggling interior alleys of one of the most revered writers we have come to know of. His Imaginative Mind vs His Belligerent Heart reinforces the age-old battle of the two entities that alone navigate man, giving twopence to his own biases.

I imagine Joyce cut his heart into two, sealed each with his past and present saps, and assumed the two halves would continue beating, insulated from each other's existence. But he soon watched, dumbfounded, as the saps melted at the divide and fluttered greedily in future union. Sigh…The Heart flutters.

This is not one of Joyce's better works.

In fact, it is quite the opposite. I'm truly thankful that he only wrote one play!

The play is much too wordy, with an excessive use of language that makes it a laborious read.

Moreover, the storyline is extremely hard to figure out.

It seems convoluted and lacks a clear narrative arc, leaving the reader confused and frustrated.

If you want to experience the greatness of Joyce's writing, I highly recommend reading Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man (novel) and The Dead (short story).

These works showcase Joyce's unique style and literary genius in a much more accessible and engaging way.

The characters are vividly drawn, the plots are interesting and thought-provoking, and the language is simply beautiful.

Don't waste your time on Joyce's play; instead, explore these masterpieces and discover the true essence of his writing.

I'm a die-hard Joyce enthusiast. This year, I delved into Ulysses, and ever since, I've read or re-read Portrait and Dubliners. I adored at least certain parts of them, if not every single line. In a tale like 'A Painful Case', Joyce has the remarkable ability to sketch out an entire life in just 20-odd pages. However, in Ulysses, he can expand a single day to a whopping 900 pages. But this play is something entirely different.

It consists of merely 3 dull conversations between characters who are as two-dimensional as cardboard. It lacks all the specificity, universality, and the push-pull/love-hate dynamic that is so characteristic of Joyce's other characterizations. It's truly难以置信 that this was penned by Joyce. Do yourself a favor and save a couple of hours - don't bother reading it!

I have a deep love for reading the works of James Joyce.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Among his many masterpieces, "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" holds a special place in my heart and is truly my all-time favorite book.

I approached "Exiles" without any preconceived ideas, mainly out of curiosity due to its autobiographical nature.

However, when it comes to playwriting, it seems that it wasn't Joyce's strong suit. I found the play to be rather awkward and overly melodramatic.

Although I don't regret reading it, it didn't leave me with an insatiable desire for more.

In the excerpt, we see the following dialogue:

BERTHA. [Points to the study.] Dick is in there.

ROBERT. [Drops her hand.] In that case children be good.

BERTHA. Where are you going?

ROBERT. To foreign parts. That is to my cousin Jack Justice, alias Doggy Justice, in Surrey. He has a nice country place there and the air is mild.

BERTHA. Why are you going?

ROBERT. [Looks at her in silence.] Can you not guess one reason?

BERTHA. On account of me?

ROBERT. Yes. It is not pleasant for me to remain here just now.

BERTHA. [Sits down helplessly.]. But this is cruel of you, Robert. Cruel to me and to him also.

RICHARD sits down on a chair and buries his face in his hands. BERTHA and ROBERT gaze at each other in silence. Then she turns away and goes out quietly on the right. ROBERT goes towards RICHARD and stands near him, resting his hands on the back of a chair, looking down at him. There is a long silence. A FISHWOMAN is heard crying out as she passes along the road outside.

THE FISHWOMAN. Fresh Dublin bay herrings! Fresh Dublin bay herrings! Dublin bay herrings!

As Kurt Vonnegut would say: "And so it goes"..........

Exiles is Joyce's solitary offering in the play format.

It appears deceptively straightforward, yet it provides a definitive exploration of the ethos of spiritual virginity and the love triangle. Here, the triangle not only serves as an analysis of the love triangle in other media but also as a means to understand the relation of ideals through culture.

The contrast between the ideals, especially the progressive versus traditional ones, is vividly presented through the characters of Robert and Richard. And Bertha represents the sought-after but unattainable union.

I highly recommend obtaining a version that includes Joyce's notes on the play, as they are truly the highlight. At first sight, this play may not seem to introduce anything novel to the literature canon. However, there is far more depth and significance than meets the eye.

It possesses a mundane quality, similar to that of Dubliners, but the driving force behind its conception is as precise and rich in meaning as any other work in Joyce's extensive body of literature.

For a long time, I hadn't been reading theater plays. If it weren't for Joyce, I probably would have skipped this one too. However, whenever it comes to any of Joyce's works, the flowing waters seem to stop.

In this play written before his portraits and Ulysses, it is possible to see in a rudimentary way some of the troubles he would later deepen, such as Irishness, exile, religious issues, and Joyce's family and personal problems, which can be read between the lines. But I don't expect this work to be of great significance for those who haven't read his main works. Therefore, I don't recommend this book to anyone other than Joyce enthusiasts. Joyce's fans will read "El Mahkum" anyway.

When it comes to the play independently of other works, I don't know how it stands on stage, but the exchanges between the alter ego Mr. Richard and his son, and the discussions he has with his wife about love and loyalty were the strong points of the book. In fact, it can also be read solely about relationships and can be enjoyed in that regard. Well, if I talk a little more out of my love for Joyce, I won't be able to stop praising, so I won't prolong it and I'm leaving your presence.

I bought it because I found it amusing to come across a play written by Joyce - precisely between his two great novels - of which I knew nothing... and now I know why.

Moreover, it is an edition with notes by the author himself in which he shows off and analyzes his characters, attributing to them a psychological depth that is not reflected in the text itself.

Joyce's works are known for their complexity and innovation. This play, although perhaps not as widely recognized as his novels, still contains his unique style and insights.

The addition of the author's notes provides an interesting perspective on the work, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of his intentions and the characters he created.

It is always fascinating to discover new works by great authors, and this play by Joyce is no exception. It offers a different side of his literary genius and is well worth exploring.

A very anguished character, who doubts himself and others.

Could this be the way Joyce saw himself? I can't say, I don't know if it's autobiographical, but some critics say it is.

I didn't like it very much, although some points are interesting, perhaps it would make for a good discussion of gender.

Joyce's works are often complex and full of deep psychological insights. This character's self-doubt and uncertainty about others may reflect the author's own inner turmoil and exploration of the human condition.

However, for some readers, the lack of a clear narrative or resolution can be frustrating.

Despite this, the work still has its merits, such as its unique language and style.

Overall, while it may not be to everyone's taste, it is still an important piece of literature that值得 further study and analysis.

I initially found this to be rather pedestrian. The writing style was simple and unembellished, which made it a challenge for me to identify any aspects that truly appealed.

Perhaps, however, it was intended to convey a more poignant motif regarding sexual freedom and progressive morality a century ago.

Nonetheless, I did enjoy the format of reading along while listening to an audio production of a play. This combination of auditory and visual experience added an extra layer of engagement for me.

I believe that I will explore this format further in the future. It offers a unique way to consume literature and brings a new dimension to the reading experience.

Despite my initial reservations about the content, the format itself has piqued my interest and I look forward to seeing what other literary works I can discover through this method.