Exiles (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

Richard Rowan, an intellectually independent and emotionally self-reliant Irish writer. In his desire not to bind or be bound, even in love, he refuses ever to advise his common-law wife Bertha, or to ask anything of her. When she accuses him of neglect, he is faced with a conflict between personal integrity and love with its consequent feelings of guilt. His conflict is resolved when he can accept Bertha’s desire to revive her relationship with Robert Hand, and Bertha is able to accept her lover’s friendship with Beatrice Justice.

Bertha, Richard Rowan’s common-law wife. Feeling neglected by her lover’s refusal to influence her or to bind her in any way, and mistaking his friendship for Beatrice Justice for a love affair, she turns to Robert Hand, who has loved her in the past. Finally, she realizes that she can never betray Richard, but her expressed desire to meet Robert freely helps her to accept Richard’s account of his relationship with Beatrice.

Robert Hand, a newspaper editor. He is dominated by the ideas and personality of Richard Rowan. Formerly in love with Bertha, he woos her again when she feels neglected by Richard. He falters when he faces the demand to accept moral responsibility.

Beatrice Justice, Richard Rowan’s devoted and admiring friend.

Archie, the young son of Bertha and Richard Rowan.

Bibliography:

Bowen, Zack R., and James F. Carens, eds. A Companion to Joyce Studies. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1984. Devotes an essay to Exiles. Includes a textual history.

Deming, Robert H., ed. James Joyce: The Critical Heritage. 2 vols. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1970. Pages 130 to 160 in volume 1 contain reviews of Exiles by such writers as George Bernard Shaw and Padraic Colum. Useful for tracing the beginnings of critical opinion on the play.

Ellmann, Richard. James Joyce. 1959. Rev. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982. References to Exiles throughout. Annotations and biographical information provide background on Joyce’s artistic intentions in Exiles.

Levin, Harry. James Joyce: A Critical Introduction. Norfolk, Conn.: New Directions, 1941. A central book in James Joyce studies. A good starting place.

Tysdahl, B. J. Joyce and Ibsen: A Study in Literary Influence. Atlantic Highlands, N.J.: Humanities Press, 1968. Pages 87 to 102 discuss Exiles. Argues that Joyce’s well-known debt to Ibsen can mislead readers into reading Exiles as entirely a work of Ibsenesque realism.