# XXI explained — Strong Poison

> Chapter companion for Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers.

## What happens

Lord Peter Wimsey proposes to Harriet Vane, who refuses marriage but offers to live with him. Wimsey then meets with a manicurist, Mabel Herridge, and enlists her help in a secret plan to collect nail parings and hair from a client.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Wimsey's persistent proposal and willingness to accept Harriet's terms highlight his devotion and sacrifice of social convention.

### Deception and Appearance

Wimsey's secret plan with the manicurist involves deception and the collection of physical evidence under false pretenses.

### Class and Snobbery

Harriet's concern about Wimsey's family traditions and social standing reflects class-based anxieties about marriage.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Peter Wimsey

Proposes to Harriet and later meets with a manicurist to enlist her help in a secret scheme.

### Harriet Vane

Refuses Wimsey's marriage proposal, citing fear and uncertainty about the future.

### Mabel Herridge

The manicurist who agrees to help Wimsey by collecting nail parings and hair from a client.

### Chief Inspector Parker

Helped Wimsey discover the manicurist.

## Key lines

> Then you won't marry me?

Wimsey asks Harriet if she will marry him.

_Opens the chapter with Wimsey's proposal._

> I'll live with you, if you like, but I won't marry you.

Harriet offers to cohabit but refuses marriage.

_Harriet's conditional offer reflects her fear of commitment._

> Blast Caesar's wife! And as for the family traditions—they're on my side, for what they're worth.

Wimsey dismisses concerns about scandal and family reputation.

_Wimsey asserts his independence from social expectations._

> I only want to get out of this and be left alone.

Harriet expresses her desire for freedom and solitude.

_Harriet's emotional state after the trial._

> I'll do it for you. It'll be a bit difficult, cause I'll have to use the scissors, which we don't do as a rule. But I'll manage.

Mabel agrees to collect nail parings and hair for Wimsey.

_Mabel's willingness to help Wimsey's secret plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/strong_poison_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters