# The Same to the Same explained — The Documents in the Case

> Chapter companion for The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L. Sayers.

## What happens

This chapter consists of a letter from Lolo to Petra, expressing her loneliness and longing for him while she remains trapped in her marriage to the Gorgon. She reflects on the impossibility of leaving her husband due to social conventions and his selfishness, and she finds solace in the idea that her husband's role in bringing them together has been fulfilled. She also mentions the Gorgon's upcoming cookery book and his excitement over it, and she worries about Petra's potential attractions in Paris.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Gender Roles

Lolo's letter reveals the unequal power dynamics in her marriage, where the husband's career and reputation take precedence over her happiness, and she feels unable to leave due to social conventions.

### Repression and Psychoanalysis

Lolo's internal conflict between her desires and her duty to her marriage reflects the theme of repression, as she suppresses her longing for Petra to maintain her respectable facade.

### Art and Creativity

The letter discusses Petra's painting and the Gorgon's cookery book, contrasting true artistic passion with the Gorgon's pretentious hobby, and highlighting the role of art in their lives.

## Character check-ins

### Lolo

Writes a letter to Petra, expressing her loneliness and love, while feeling trapped in her marriage.

### Petra

The recipient of Lolo's letter, a painter in Paris, whom Lolo longs for and worries about.

### The Gorgon

Lolo's husband, described as selfish and conventional, who is excited about his cookery book.

### John Munting

Quoted by Lolo in her letter: 'All God's creatures have their uses.'

### Agatha Milsom

Mentioned as having made Lolo a scarf, referenced in Lolo's letter.

## Key lines

> I have been reading in a book about the real Laura and Petrarch—did you know, she was really only a little girl and that he hardly saw her at all? Perhaps she was only beautiful in his imagination, too. But that didn't prevent her from being his inspiration, did it?

Lolo reflects on Petrarch's Laura, suggesting that even if Laura wasn't truly beautiful, she still inspired Petrarch, and wonders if she might similarly inspire Petra from a distance.

_Lolo draws a parallel between her situation and that of Petrarch's muse, questioning the nature of inspiration and love._

> I looked at him last night as he sat glooming over the mutton, which wasn't quite done as he likes it (you would never let a stupid thing like mutton poison the whole beautiful day for you, but he does), and I thought of Mr. Munting saying once, 'All God's creatures have their uses,'

Lolo observes her husband's irritation over undercooked mutton, contrasting his petty mood with Petra's more carefree nature, and recalls Munting's saying to justify her husband's role in her life.

_This passage highlights Lolo's resentment toward her husband and her rationalization of his existence as a means to have met Petra._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/39-the-same-to-the-same
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters