During Odysseus' two-decade absence from Ithaca, the inhabitants kept memories of him alive, yet they did not yearn for his return. In contrast, Odysseus himself experienced profound nostalgia, recalling his past adventures only in fragmented bits. His recollections were overshadowed by the ongoing life in Ithaca, where he was considered one of their own. This deep connection meant that the people never felt the need to ask him to share stories of his journey.

The narrative highlights a striking difference between Odysseus' inner world and that of his fellow Ithacans. While they held onto their memories loosely, Odysseus was plagued by the weight of his past experiences, feeling more like a wanderer in his own homeland. The irony of his situation is that, despite being a celebrated hero, he wasn’t seen as an outsider by the very people who kept him alive in their memories. This disparity emphasizes the theme of belonging and the subjective nature of memory and identity.