Boule de Suif summary of events
- The French defeated army pass through town
- In many houses the Prussian officer who stayed with the family ate at the same table as them, and felt sorry for them. The French welcomed this gratitude. They could not show their friendship on the streets, however in their houses they would talk freely.
- However the victors could demand money of the French. Whatever was demanded.
- Some took it upon themselves to try and murder any Prussians they saw (dragged out of rivers).
- A permit had been obtained for 10 people to leave town, and they were to board a four horse coach which would leave on a Tuesday morning.
On The Coach :
- Monsieur & Madame Loiseau – wine merchants. Sold wine at very low prices. M. Loiseau was a cheat, very shrewd, pot-bellied, and known for his practical jokes. His wife – tall strong and determined – represented order in the business which they ran.
- Monsieur & Madame Carre-Lamadon. Very important man – king of the cotton trade, proprietor of 3 spinning mills, member of the general council etc. His wife – pretty, slender, graceful, much younger than her husband.
- Comte and Comtesse (a lady of quality) Hubert de Breville – have one of the most noble, ancient names in Normandy. The Comte knows M. Carre-Lamadon from the General Council.
- These 6 people occupy the farther end of the coach and represent society – a rich, strong, upper to middle class who rely on religion and principles.
- There were also two old nuns.
- The 2 more people attracted most eyes – Cornudet and Boule de Suif.
- Cornudet – well known. Had received a respectable fortune off his father.
- BDS – fat yet pretty and desirable. It is likely that she is a prostitute.