Elizabeth Rousset, or Boule de Suif, is the protagonist of the story. From the beginning, it is clear that Boule de Suif, who is a sex worker, is at the lower end of the social hierarchy. When the other ladies in the coach recognize her, they begin to whisper “prostitute” and “public scandal.” Although she is modestly well-off, her trade means that she will always be on the outskirts of society. Moreover, it renders her vulnerable to exploitation by those who see her merely as a commodity to be used—something the imagery linking her to food underscores. Multiple characters express frustration and disbelief that a sex worker would refuse to sleep with anyone; they have reduced her to a particular role in society and either don’t understand or don’t care that she might have thoughts and feelings independent of her profession.

By contrast, the story characterizes Boule de Suif not only as a complex figure but as more moral than any of her traveling companions. She shows herself to be a generous person when she shares her bounty of food with the other travelers after they have been on the road for hours without sustenance.