"After Long Absence" focuses on one particular trip back home the narrator makes to Queensland from Canada. Although the narrator's family lived in Queensland and she had grown up within its community, she does not belong there; geographically, socially or religiously. J. T. Hospital reveals this estrangement of many kinds in "After Long Absence" by revealing the narrator's thoughts and unconscious references throughout the short story.
             The narrator first and foremost does not belong geographically. Although she may have grown up in Queensland, she is a 'visitor' (p.474), the one who 'chooses the Bible reading' (p.474). Through this her family members indicate that she is no longer part of their intimate circle, more different and special because of her absence. The title, "After Long Absence", alludes to this physical barrier. As the narrator has moved to Canada, this naturally creates a gulf between her and her former home and family. However, the narrator hints that she unconsciously desires to belong to Queensland.
             Throughout the story, the narrator makes many references and recalls many vivid memories about her former home, yet none regarding her new home. The narrator sees herself as a 'sun worshipper' (p.468), closely associated with Queensland. Furthermore, she muses that 'perhaps all Queensland children are' sun worshippers (p.468), indicating that she considered herself as Queensland child. The narrator reminds us throughout the story that she is familiar with Queensland's rivers that 'surge quixotically...in flood (s)' (p.467) and city, 'the heart of Brisbane...Adelaide and Albert Streets...' (p.470). Through hints such as these, it is difficult to believe that the narrator does not belong to Queensland, yet she is clearly not accepted socially. Other characters perhaps believe, as her mother does, that she &a...