I've always thought the use of alcohol allows the character
to "buffer" or emotionally
separate himself from the brutal world he continually finds
himself (which he/she either
consciously or unconsciuosly seeks out). Off the top of my
head I can't remember too
many characters that drink to celebrate but rather drink to
forget or simply out of
necessity.
What I find very interesting is watching those characters who
used to drink (e.g.
Scudder, Robicheaux) attempt to emotionally and
psychologically deal with the gritty
world of the hardboiled sans alcohol.
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