Introduction
James Joyce’s play Exiles is a powerful exploration of the human condition. Through the story of Richard Rowan, a man trapped between his past and present, Joyce paints a vivid and complex portrait of the trials and tribulations of life (Lowe-Evans 131). With its distinct blend of realism and symbolism, Exiles offers a thought-provoking and emotionally intense experience. This review will discuss how the play was such an unsuccessful publication, how it would have been more successful if it had been written as a novel, and how this setback may have better prepared the author for his famous novel Ulysses.
The novel Exiles by James Joyce is a complex work that explores various themes through the novel’s characters, relationships, and the atmosphere created. The novel is set in Dublin, Ireland, in the early 20th century (Lowe-Evans 131). It follows the lives of Robert Hand and Beatrice Justice, two former lovers who have been separated for years due to their differing opinions on marriage. The novel tells their story as they attempt to reunite and overcome the obstacles that have kept them apart.
Themes
Identity
The theme of identity is explored in Exiles through three characters. In particular, Robert is a passionate Irish patriot whose sense of identity is closely tied to his homeland. He sees himself as a free spirit, bound only by his loyalty to a cause. In contrast, Beatrice is a more typical English woman, whose identity is rooted in her nationality and her marriage to Robert. She finds it difficult to relate to her husband’s commitment to Ireland and questions her own place in the world. Richard, the third character, is a complex figure who is both an outsider and an insider. He is an Englishman who is deeply connected to Ireland, yet he is also an exile from his homeland. His struggle to reconcile these two aspects of his identity is at the heart of the play.
Exile
Additionally, the play addresses the idea of exile using Robert and Beatrice. Robert and Beatrice are both in a state of exile from each other and their sense of identity. Robert is exiled from his true feelings for Beatrice, fearing the consequences of admitting his love. On the other hand, Beatrice is in exile, as she cannot fully express her artistic nature due to the social conventions of her time (Fraser 12). This theme of exile is further highlighted by the fact that the novel takes place in Dublin, a city still under British rule at the time of the novel’s setting. Joyce uses this setting to explore the idea of exile in a broader sense, as the characters are both in a state of exile from their society.
Homosexuality and Adultery
Homosexuality and adultery are two of the most controversial topics discussed in James Joyce’s Exiles. This play is a modernist drama set in Dublin and follows the story of Richard and Bertha, who are in a strained marriage. Richard’s friend Robert is in love with him, making the play a representation of a homosexual relationship in a heterosexual marriage (Zoleikhaei 12). The play explores the idea of fidelity and faithfulness in a marriage, the relationship between Richard and Robert, and between Richard and Bertha. Robert is portrayed as a sympathetic figure, and his feelings for Richard are described as genuine and heartfelt.
Additionally, the play deals with adultery, with Richard and Bertha’s relationship strained due to Richard’s affair with Gertrude. The play explores the idea of a husband having an affair with another woman and how this affects the marriage (Fraser 12). Bertha is portrayed as a sympathetic character trying to make her marriage work, while Richard is torn between his feelings for Gertrude and his loyalty to Bertha. The play explores the complexities of relationships and the difficulties of maintaining fidelity in marriage.
Writing Techniques
Joyce employs various techniques, including stream-of-consciousness, symbolism, and irony. Stream-of-consciousness is a technique Joyce was mainly known for; it allows the reader to enter the characters’ minds and experience their thoughts, emotions, and memories. This technique is used throughout Exiles, notably in Richard’s monologues and conversations with Bertha, which allow the reader to empathize with the character’s internal conflicts (Voelker 13). Additionally, Joyce uses symbolism to convey the characters’ inner turmoil. For example, the recurring image of a bird in a cage symbolizes Richard’s feelings of entrapment and longing for freedom. Similarly, the use of irony serves to illustrate the characters’ attempts to reconcile their conflicting desires. For instance, when Bertha tells Richard she has “no wish to bind him,” it is ironic as she is attempting to do just that.
Reasons why the Play is Regarded as a Failure
James Joyce’s Exiles is widely regarded as a failure in the literary world. The play, first published in 1914, was widely panned by critics and received mixed reviews from audiences. While the play itself is not considered to be Joyce’s best work, it is an integral part of his oeuvre and a valuable insight into his writing. Exiles was written in response to the Irish Home Rule Crisis, a period of political and social turmoil in Ireland from 1912 to 1914 (Voelker 13). The play is a tragedy with a poignant ending that leaves the audience sorrowful and reflective. Exiles was an unsuccessful publication due to several factors, including its unconventional style and structure, its risqué subject matter, lack of public awareness, negative reviews, and its release during a tremendous political and social upheaval in Europe. As a result, the novel was largely ignored by the public and the literary establishment.
Unconventional Style and Structure
The play is unconventional in terms of its style and structure. The style of the play is characterized by its free-flowing dialogue, which often meanders and is hard to follow (White and Frank 56). This makes it difficult for the audience to understand the plot and keeps them from connecting with the characters. Additionally, the play’s structure is unusual, as it does not follow the traditional three-act format. The play instead consists of two acts, with the second act taking place in a different location and time. This makes it difficult for the audience to follow the plot, as they constantly have to adjust their understanding of the story.
Moreover, the play lacks traditional dramatic tension, as it is dialogue-driven rather than action-driven. There is little dramatic conflict and suspense, which is essential for a successful play. The play needs an actual resolution, as the characters have yet to come to any conclusion. This leaves the audience feeling unsatisfied and disconnected from the story, as there is no satisfying conclusion. Additionally, Joyce’s language in the play is often difficult to understand, as he often uses complex vocabulary and sentence structure (Fraser 23). This can confuse the audience, as they need help understanding what is being said. Additionally, the play needs a more straightforward narrative structure, as the characters often talk in circles rather than progressing the story. The unconventional style and structure of Exiles by James Joyce made the play unsuccessful.
Risqué Subject Matter
James Joyce’s Exiles is a play that was met with much criticism and hostile reception when it was first released in 1914. The play was mainly criticized for its risqué subject matter, which was deemed too controversial for the time. The play follows the lives of three characters, Bertha, Richard, and Robert, all exiles from their home countries and living in Dublin. The play features frank and explicit scenes, such as a scene where Bertha is revealed to be pregnant out of wedlock, a scene where Richard and Robert discuss their homosexual relationship, and a scene where Robert and Bertha flirt (White and Frank 56). These scenes were seen as shocking and inappropriate for the time and caused much controversy. The play’s subject matter was seen as too controversial for the general public, and the play was quickly banned in many countries.
Furthermore, Exiles was met with little success due to its unflinching exploration of homosexuality. In the early twentieth century, homosexuality was a largely taboo topic in society, and Joyce’s novel was one of the first to discuss the issue openly. Exiles was considered a scandalous work due to its frank discussion of homosexuality (White and Frank 56). Joyce was known for pushing the boundaries of literature, and Exiles was no exception. In the novel, Joyce deals with the complex relationships between his three main characters, Robert, Bertha, and Richard. While Robert and Bertha are married, Richard is in love with Robert. This relationship is explored in detail throughout the novel, making it a groundbreaking work in terms of its exploration of same-sex relationships. At the time, homosexuality was still a largely unspoken topic, and many readers were uncomfortable with the frank discussion of the issue.
The novel’s focus on adultery, a taboo subject in early twentieth-century Ireland, was a risky move for Joyce. It was considered too risqué for the public, and the novel was primarily overlooked or condemned for its explicit content. The fact that the novel was published in Italy, a country known for its more relaxed attitude towards adultery, did not help either. The novel’s focus on adultery caused it to be seen as too controversial for the Irish literary establishment, who viewed it as an insult to their moral codes (White and Frank 56). Although some critics praised the novel, the overwhelming response was disapproval and condemnation. The novel’s controversial subject matter, combined with its modernist style, made it largely unsuccessful. Most theatre companies refused to produce the play, and it was not until the late 1920s that it was finally staged in some countries. Although the play was eventually staged, it was never as popular as other plays of the time and quickly faded into obscurity.
Great Time of Political and Social Upheaval in Europe
James Joyce’s Exiles was released in 1914, and it was a play written during a time of great political and social upheaval in Europe. This made the play unsuccessful, as it could not adequately address contemporary issues. The play was set in Edwardian Dublin, where the Irish nationalist movement was gaining momentum, and the Home Rule Bill was gaining traction in the British parliament (Shepherd-Barr 15). This bill sought to establish an Irish parliament with limited powers, and its passage was seen as a significant step forward in the struggle for Irish independence. However, the play could not directly address these issues and their implications for the Irish people.
Moreover, the political situation in Europe was in flux since World War I was looming on the horizon, and the continent was becoming divided between the Allied and Central Powers. Joyce’s play could not address the complex political tensions at the time or the potential for a devastating war. Additionally, the play should have addressed the growing social tensions in Europe at the time. The continent’s industrialization had led to a widening gap between the wealthy and the working class, and the rise of socialism was creating further divisions (Shepherd-Barr 14). The play could not address these issues or their implications for the Irish people. James Joyce’s Exiles was unable to engage with the political and social issues of the day. Its release during a time of great political and social upheaval in Europe made the play unsuccessful, as it could not adequately address the issues of the day.
Lack of Character Development
The characters in Exiles need more depth and development, which makes it difficult for the audience to connect with them. The audience needs to be fully introduced to Richard’s past or his motivations for his actions. The other characters in the play are similarly underdeveloped. The audience knows nothing about their background or goals, so it is unable to sympathize with them (Fraser 16). Additionally, the play is slow-paced, with long speeches and minimal action, which makes it challenging to stay engaged with the story. Moreover, there is minimal conflict in the play; instead, the characters talk in circles, often repeating the same points, which makes it difficult for the audience to stay invested in the story.
Negative Reviews
James Joyce’s Exiles was met with largely negative reviews. Many critics claimed that the book failed to live up to the standard of Joyce’s earlier works and felt it was a significant disappointment. This ultimately resulted in the book being a commercial failure, with few copies sold and quickly fading into obscurity (Murrath 75). The main problem with Exiles was its lack of originality. Critics felt that Joyce was rehashing ideas from his previous works, such as Dubliners, without bringing anything new or exciting to the table. As such, few readers felt the book was worth their time or money.
Furthermore, many readers felt that the book could have been more complex and easier to understand, making it even less appealing. The negative reviews of Exiles significantly impacted its success. With few people recommending the book and even fewer people willing to buy it, the book quickly died out (White and Frank 46). This was compounded by its lack of promotion and marketing, which meant few people even knew it existed. As such, Exiles was a significant failure for Joyce and Edizioni Mediterranee.
Lack of Public Awareness and Appreciation
Exiles was met with a lack of public awareness and appreciation, ultimately leading to its poor reception and lack of success. Exiles was Joyce’s only dramatic work full of symbolism and complex themes. This was likely due to the lack of public awareness of the play, as it was not widely advertised and did not get much promotion (Van 32). Additionally, the play was written in a modernist style that was difficult for many to understand and appreciate. The themes of alienation, entrapment, and marriage were not universally understood and appreciated, and the play was not widely seen as groundbreaking or innovative.
The Successfulness of the Play Had It Been Written as a Novel
James Joyce’s Exiles would have been more successful if it had been written as a novel than it is as a play. A novel would have allowed Joyce to dive deeper into the characters’ motivations, explore the complexities of their relationships, and convey the subtle nuances of their interactions in greater detail (Van 24). First, a novel would have allowed Joyce to explore the characters’ motivations in greater depth. In the play, the characters’ motivations are largely left to the imagination, leaving some questions unanswered. In a novel, Joyce could have used flashbacks, conversations, and dreams to explore the characters’ backstories and reveal their innermost thoughts and desires. This would have allowed readers to feel more invested in the characters and their journeys since they would better understand their motivations and how they relate to their actions.
Exploring the Complexities of the Characters’ Relationships in Greater Depth
A novel would have allowed Joyce to explore the complexities of the characters’ relationships in greater depth. In the play, the characters’ relationships are presented mainly straightforwardly, with little exploration of their nuances and complexities (Murrath 78). In a novel, Joyce could have used the characters’ conversations to reveal their subtle disagreements and rivalries, allowing readers to understand their relationships better. This would have allowed readers to gain insight into the characters’ personalities and how they relate to one another.
Conveying the Subtle Nuances of the Characters’ Interactions in Detail
Furthermore, a novel would have allowed Joyce to convey the subtle nuances of the characters’ interactions in greater detail. In the play, the characters’ interactions are often presented straightforwardly, leaving readers to infer their interactions’ nuances. In a novel, Joyce could have used the characters’ conversations to convey the nuances of their interactions, allowing readers to gain insight into their personalities and how they relate to one another (Zoleikhaei 44). Had James Joyce’s Exiles been written as a novel, it could have been even more successful than it is as a play. A novel would have allowed Joyce to explore the characters’ motivations, relationships, and interactions in greater depth, giving readers a greater understanding of the characters and their journeys.
How the Play Laid Ground for Ulysses
James Joyce’s play Exiles, published in 1914, was an important stepping stone in the development of the author’s career and is often seen as a precursor to his famous novel Ulysses. The setback of Exiles was an essential part of Joyce’s development as a writer and helped prepare him for the success of Ulysses. Exiles was a difficult book for Joyce to write since he had intended it to be a play, but it failed to be accepted for production, so he revised it as a novel (Davituliani 34). The novel was not well-received by critics or readers and sold poorly. This setback was difficult for Joyce, but it allowed him to learn from his mistakes and develop his style and technique.
The central theme of Exiles was the difficulty of living outside one’s home country. Joyce was an Irishman living in Exile in Italy and Switzerland, and this theme was important to him. He had experienced first-hand the challenges of being an outsider in a foreign society. Through Exiles, Joyce explored this theme and developed the ideas and themes that would later become central to Ulysses. Additionally, Joyce had been working on his style, which was heavily influenced by the emerging literary movement of literary modernism (Davituliani 37). Exile was a test for Joyce to experiment with and refine his style. He experimented with techniques such as stream-of-consciousness, which he would later use in Ulysses. Thus, Exiles was an essential setback for Joyce but was also a vital part of his writing development.
The experience of writing Exiles enabled Joyce to develop his craft as a novelist. He had to hone his skills to adequately express the emotions and ideas he wanted to communicate in his work. He was able to refine his use of language and explore the potential of the novel form. This experimentation helped him develop his writing style, later used in his famous novel Ulysses. The experience of writing Exiles was essential to Joyce’s writing development. It enabled him to understand the human experience better and develop his skills as a novelist (Zoleikhaei 46). This experience gave him the insight to write Ulysses, one of the most significant works of literature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, James Joyce’s Exiles was unsuccessful for various reasons, such as its experimental form, lack of commercial appeal, and limited audience. However, the play may have been more successful had it been written as a novel. Nevertheless, the work served as a valuable learning experience for Joyce, allowing him to experiment with the novel form and preparing him for the success of Ulysses. Although Exiles was not a commercial success, it was an essential part of Joyce’s journey as a writer and contributed to his success as an author.
Works Cited
Davituliani, Salome. “Exiles by James Joyce and Betrayal by Harold Pinter.” James Joyce and The World, vol. 26, 2020, pp. 41-48.
Fraser, James Alexander. “The Exile and the University in Exile: Betrayal as Work in the Writings of James Joyce.” Social Research, vol. 86, no. 3, 2019, pp. 743–64.
Lowe-Evans, Mary. “‘Freedom’ Is Just Another Word.” . Exiles: A Critical Edition, edited by Nicholas Fargnoli and Michael Patrick Gillespie, University Press of Florida, 2016, pp. 130–34.
Murrath, Lotte. The Performance of Joyce: Stage Directions in Dubliners, Exiles, and “Circe.” 2021, Utrecht University, BS thesis.
Shepherd-Barr, Kirsten. “Reconsidering Joyce’s Exiles in Its Theatrical Context.” Theatre Research International, vol. 28, no. 2, 2003, pp. 169–80.
Van Stralen, Hans. “A Complementary Friendship. A Psychological Interpretation of James Joyce’s Exiles.” Orbis Litterarum, vol. 62, no. 4, 2007, pp. 283–92.
Voelker, Joseph. “The Beastly Incertitude’s: Doubt, Difficulty, and Discomfiture in James Joyce’s Exiles.” Journal of Modern Literature, vol. 14, no. 4, 1988, pp. 499–516.
Zoleikhaei, Saman. “Richard Rowan’s Search for Other Jouissance in James Joyce’s Exiles.” Critical Literary Studies, vol. 2, no. 1, 2020, pp. 115–130.