Exiles - A Play in Three Acts

James Joyce

• Publisher: Read & Co. Books
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781447469285
• eBook ISBN: 9781473395763
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

Written during the early years of World War I, Exiles is James Joyce's only play, a deeply introspective and emotionally charged study of love, fidelity, and personal freedom.

Echoing themes from the final story in Dubliners and foreshadowing the psychological depth of Ulysses, this three-act drama offers a rare glimpse into Joyce's exploration of the human heart through theatrical form. At the centre of Exiles is the complex relationship between Richard Rowan, a writer returned from exile, and his wife Bertha. Their fraught dynamic unfolds with the quiet intensity of a chamber piece, laying bare the emotional and moral ambiguities of intimacy and autonomy.

A striking departure from Joyce's better-known experimental prose, Exiles reveals his enduring preoccupation with identity, loyalty, and artistic freedom. First published in 1918, this play remains essential reading for lovers of modern drama and Joyce aficionados alike.

FIRST ACT

The drawingroom in Richard Rowan’s house at Merrion, a suburb of Dublin. On the right, forward, a fireplace, before which stands a low screen. Over the mantelpiece a giltframed glass. Further back in the right wall, folding doors leading to the parlour and kitchen. In the wall at the back to the right a small door leading to a study. Left of this a sideboard. On the wall above the sideboard a framed crayon drawing of a young man. More to the left double doors with glass panels leading out to the garden. In the wall at the left a window looking out on the road. Forward in the same wall a door leading to the hall and the upper part of the house. Between the window and door a lady’s davenport stands against the wall. Near it a wicker chair. In the centre of the room a round table. Chairs, upholstered in faded green plush, stand round the table. To the right, forward, a smaller table with a smoking service on it. Near it an easychair and a lounge. Cocoanut mats lie before the fireplace, beside the lounge and before the doors. The floor is of stained planking. The double doors at the back and the folding doors at the right have lace curtains, which are drawn halfway. The lower sash of the window is lifted and the window is hung with heavy green plush curtains. The blind is pulled down to the edge of the lifted lower sash. It is a warm afternoon in June and the room is filled with soft sunlight which is waning.

[Brigid and Beatrice Justice come in by the door on the left. Brigid is an elderly woman, lowsized, with irongrey hair. Beatrice Justice is a slender dark young woman of 27 years. She wears a wellmade navyblue costume and an elegant simply trimmed black straw hat, and carries a small portfolioshaped handbag.]

BRIGID.
The mistress and Master Archie is at the bath. They never expected you. Did you send word you were back, Miss Justice?

BEATRICE.
No. I arrived just now.

BRIGID.
[Points to the easychair.] Sit down and I’ll tell the master you are here. Were you long in the train?

BEATRICE.
[Sitting down.] Since morning.

BRIGID.
Master Archie got your postcard with the views of Youghal. You’re tired out, I’m sure.

BEATRICE.
O, no. [She coughs rather nervously.] Did he practise the piano while I was away?

BRIGID.
[Laughs heartily.] Practice, how are you! Is it Master Archie? He is mad after the milkman’s horse now. Had you nice wea...

Table of contents

• James Joyce
• CHARACTERS
• FIRST ACT
• SECOND ACT
• THIRD ACT