In Peter S. Beagle's "Summerlong," the traditional perspective emphasizes the emotional turmoil that follows a god's departure, focusing primarily on the feelings of those left behind. Society generally expects the individuals to feel loss and despair when a divine figure is no longer present, highlighting a one-sided view of grief and abandonment.

However, Beagle challenges this notion by suggesting that the god’s feelings are often overlooked. The narrative prompts readers to consider the emotional complexity of the divine, suggesting that leaving behind the people who nearly understood them could evoke feelings of loss or sorrow in the god as well.