A blank

[Johnyxxx]

Hello.

Does the bold text mean the guy was drunk every day for three years?


Just before the end of the London season they had walked the streets one hot night after a party, discussing the various theories of the soul's destiny. That afternoon they had met at the coffin of a college friend whose mind had been a blank for the past three years. Some months previously they had called at the asylum to see him. His expression had been senile, his face imprinted with the record of debauchery. In death the face was placid, intelligent, without ignoble lineation—the face of the man they had known at college. Weigall and Gifford had had no time to comment there, and the afternoon and evening were full; but, coming forth from the house of festivity together, they had reverted almost at once to the topic.

The Striding Place by Gertrude Atherton, 1895.


Thanks a lot.

 

[GoesStation]

Since the text doesn't mention alcohol or drunkenness, you have no reason to think that's what the author had in mind.

 

[Johnyxxx]

His mind was a blank and there was the record of debauchery on his face, so I thought it could refer to drunkness which can easily leave its mark on the face and mental state of an individual.

Thnks a lot for helping me.

 

[emsr2d2]

The next sentence says that his friends had previously visited him at an asylum so I assume that he had had mental health problems that led to their description of his mind as blank.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Notice also that the writing is in a highly stylized style. For instance, Gertrude says they met at a friend's coffin. The language should not be taken literally!

 

[GoesStation]

Gertrude says they met at a friend's coffin. The language should not be taken literally!

I don't see any other way to take it. The friend had died after three years of debauchery. The people had met beside his coffin, presumably during a wake or a viewing.

 

[probus]

It is nevertheless a highly unusual turn of phrase.