How does the narrator's perception of their father change after twenty-five years of absence?

After twenty-five years of absence, the narrator's perception of their father changes from viewing him as a mysterious, dark figure to someone who might be understood and accepted. Initially, the father was seen through the lens of their mother's negative stories, but his return prompts a reevaluation of his character and the family's past.

The narrator's perception of their father evolves significantly after his return from a long absence. Initially, the father was shrouded in mystery and perceived as a dark and threatening figure due to the stories told by their mother. These stories painted him as someone with a twisted soul, which influenced the narrator's and Behan's understanding of him. However, upon his return, the narrator is open to reconciling and understanding their father, wanting to accept both parents together again. This change is contrasted with Behan's struggle to choose sides and reconcile the past. The narrator recalls a fond memory of a day spent with their father before he left, which adds complexity to their perception and suggests a willingness to see beyond the shadows that once defined him.