The Lost Man

The Australian outback is a land of silence, isolation, and distance. Nathan points out “next-door neighbors, three hours apart” (2). Geographic silence, isolation, and distance are physical reflections of the characters’ emotional silence, isolation, and distance around abuse, rape, and intergenerational trauma.

Staying quiet is a lesson that Nathan absorbed in his youth: “He knew the unspoken rules: don’t tell anyone, not even each other” (306). Looking back to when he was alone and depressed as an adult, he realizes that “he hadn’t called anyone for help because it simply hadn’t occurred to him that he could” (306). Nathan gets through difficulties alone, pretending he is fine. Yet he doesn’t understand the same behavior in others. Regarding Jenna Moore’s silence, he says, “She didn’t help herself there by pretending everything was fine” (271). Steve points out the irony of his statement when he responds, “That’s bloody rich coming from you […] Nathan, people pretend to themselves that they are fine all the time. Every day, and for years on end” (271). Jenna’s silence parallels Nathan’s and suggests many people do the same.

The culture of silence begins to loosen after Cam’s funeral. The Bright family members experience relief and in the changed