Food and eating constitute one of the most prominent motifs in the story, developing the theme of The Inescapability of Social Class. At first glance, food seems to cut across class divisions. Regardless of their societal status, everyone needs to eat, as Loiseau points out: “[U]nder such circumstances we are all companions in misfortune and bound to help each other. Come, ladies, don’t stand on ceremony—take what you can get and be thankful” (18-19). As the characters join Boule de Suif in her lunch, some of their disdain for her seems to evaporate, and they even converse pleasantly with her.

Ultimately, however, the solidarity Loiseau expresses goes in only one direction.  The story repeatedly associates Boule de Suif with food, from her nickname (“ball of fat”) to the imagery used to characterize her physical appearance: Her fingers are “like thick, short sausages,” her face is “like a ruddy apple,” her teeth are “milk-white,” and her breasts are “appetizing” (12). Boule de Suif is also, of course, the only traveler who thinks to pack lunch during the first day’s coach ride, and she shares this food as freely with the other passengers as they later expect her to share her body with the Prussian officer.