SOURCE: Rodker, John, Israel Solon, Samuel A. Tannenbaum, and jh. “Exiles, A Discussion of James Joyce's Play.” Little Review 5, no. 9 (January 1919): 20–27.

In the following essay, four authors discuss their own opinions about Exiles.

By John Rodker

Again in this play Mr. Joyce exploits that part of mind merging on the subconscious. The drama is one of will versus instinct, the protagonist Richard Rowan, a writer. This particular psychological triangle is one of barely comprehended instincts, desires for freedom (equally undefined), emotions that hardly crystallise before fading out. Inter-action of thought and will is carried so close to this borderline that the reader fears continually lest he miss any implication. Analysis digs continually deeper. At a certain moment it is lost. Mind will go no further.

People are built on no plan and since it is impossible at any moment to say that either will or instinct is dominant...