# 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

In a letter dated 18th July 1929, Lolo writes to Petra, expressing overwhelming joy at the prospect of Petra's return. She describes her husband's obliviousness to her happiness, his preoccupation with his newly published book on mushrooms, and her emotional detachment from him. Lolo reveals her deep love for Petra and her relief that she has no children with her husband, as it would feel like treason to Petra. She vows to be careful when Petra arrives, hiding her joy from her husband, who never notices her feelings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Gender Roles

Lolo's letter reveals a strained marriage where emotional and physical intimacy is absent, and she feels her husband values a cat's affection over hers.

### Repression and Psychoanalysis

Lolo hides her true feelings and joy from her husband, repressing her emotions to avoid suspicion, while her inner world is consumed by her love for Petra.

## Character check-ins

### Lolo

Writes a passionate letter to Petra, expressing joy at her return and detailing her emotional distance from her husband.

### Petra

The recipient of Lolo's letter, referred to as 'darling' and 'heart's heart'; her return is eagerly anticipated.

### George Harrison

Lolo's husband, who is oblivious to her feelings, preoccupied with his book on mushrooms, and dismissive of her emotions.

## Key lines

> He heard me singing in the kitchen this morning and asked what I was yowling about. I should have liked to tell him.

Lolo's husband heard her singing joyfully and asked why she was making noise, but she couldn't reveal the real reason.

_Highlights the secrecy of Lolo's happiness and her husband's lack of awareness._

> He never gets anything right about me⁠—not one single thing. But then he really cares about mushrooms and takes trouble to study them.

Lolo notes that her husband misunderstands her completely, but he is genuinely knowledgeable about mushrooms.

_Contrasts her husband's expertise in mycology with his emotional ignorance._

> I think, if I'd ever had a child I could have been happier, but he has never given me one, and doesn't seem to want to. I'm glad of that now⁠—since I met you.

Lolo reflects that a child might have made her happier, but she is now relieved there are none, as it would feel like betrayal to Petra.

_Reveals her shifting priorities and deepening commitment to Petra._

## Links

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- 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