Their common manhood had lost a kinsman

[kjc0123]

What is the meaning of "Their common manhood had lost a kinsman" in the following sentences?

Never before that startled April morning did such multitudes of men shed tears for the death of one they had never seen, as if with him a friendly presence had been taken from their lives, leaving them colder and darker. Never was funeral panegyric so eloquent as the silent look of sympathy which strangers exchanged when, they met that day. Their common manhood had lost a kinsman.

[SteveD]

kjc0123, I'm curious.  Why do you keep asking these questions?  Are you translating something?

 

 

[ursula62]

I suppose it means something along the lines that the entire community felt they had lost a brother.

 

[ursula62]

By "lost" I mean he had died!

[amarillis]

SteveD this earlier question by kjc0123 answers your question (scroll down to his answer):

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Question73801.html

 

[SteveD]

Sorry, kjc0123, I missed your reply on the earlier thread.

Please understand I'm not criticising you; I really admire you for your efforts.  It is very clear that you already have an excellent grasp of English and I wish you all the best in the future.  I hope that soon you will be able to visit an English-speaking country and put your knowledge into practice.  I'm sure you will be made welcome.

 

 

[Kingaroo]

Ursula62 is no doubt correct, but it is an odd construction. Be careful, KJC0123, when using the phrase "manhood" as it can be a euphemism for the male reproductive organ. (clearly not in this case, but I know you are looking for high-level understanding of alternate meanings and undertones.)

Just out of curiosity, who was it that was so deeply mourned? Martin Luther King Jr was killed in April, I think, but I don't know if multitudes thought of him as a friendly presence.

[Peter Pedant]

kjc

dont worry about being asked why the scripts you are reading are so jesus boring. We all know it and all know why.

You are having a terrible week end! Have you ever tried Jane Austen or Charles Dickens? They both tell a good story and write in excellent English

"Everyone felt as thought they had lost a relative"

Common Manhood for everyone is definitely not straightforward and in fact this is the first time I have read a question from you and thought " What?"