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“Little Grey Cells” Symbol Analysis |
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Literary Devices
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Many times in the book, Hercule Poirot claims that he solves his cases with the help of his “little grey cells.” Literally, Poirot is talking about his brainpower (the “grey matter” of the brain)—but he also means something more specific. The little grey cells to which he refers could symbolize Poirot’s unique style of detection, a combination of logical deduction, hands-on investigation, and intuition.
“It is a theory that,” admitted Poirot. “Decidedly you have cells of a kind. But it leaves a good deal unaccounted for.”
“Such as—”
“The telephone call, the pushed-out chair—“