# Monsieur Loiseau — Short Fiction character guide

> Monsieur Loiseau in Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Loiseau, Madame Loiseau, Unfortunately Loiseau, Madame

**First appearance:** 0041-boule-de-suif

## Snapshot

A vulgar wine merchant whose opportunistic instincts and coarse manners make him a perfect specimen of the self-serving bourgeoisie in a coach full of travelers.

## Who they are

Monsieur Loiseau is a wine merchant traveling with his wife in the coach alongside Boule de Suif and other passengers, a man whose eye is always on the main chance. He embodies the hypocritical respectability of the provincial middle class, quick to exploit others while performing outrage at impropriety. His presence sharpens the social dynamics of the journey, exposing how quickly principles bend when comfort or profit is at stake.

## In the story

### [Boule de Suif](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/boule-de-suif)

A coarse, opportunistic wine merchant who eagerly accepts Boule de Suif's food and later plays cards; he embodies the hypocrisy of the group.

### [A Dinner and Some Ideas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/ix-a-dinner-and-some-ideas)

Head of the bureau, newly decorated Chevalier, hosts the dinner at his Moorish-style house.

### [A True Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-true-story)

Mentioned as Séjour, a veterinary surgeon who comments on the girl and concludes the tale.

### [Two Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/two-friends)

A draper and fishing companion of Morissot. He is captured and executed alongside Morissot for refusing to betray the password.

### [The Necklace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-necklace)

Madame Loisel's husband, a clerk who sacrifices his inheritance and takes on ruinous debt to replace the lost necklace.

### [On the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/on-the-journey)

A fellow traveler, his opportunistic and jovial nature emerges during the journey.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/ii)

Old Taille, the father of the bride, is present and takes pride in his daughter's well-furnished rooms, later becoming red-faced during the song.

### [The Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-father)

Louise's husband, a kind and dignified man who acknowledges the child and grants Tessier a meeting with his son.

### [A Memory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-memory)

The glove-shop keeper who loses his dog and wallet in the woods, and is berated by his wife.

### [Military Honors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/military-honors)

Monsieur Lavigne, the former sub-officer and now major of the citizen militia, leads the capture of the Prussians.

### [The Pedlar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-pedlar)

The pedlar who invites the narrator home for a drink, unaware of his wife's infidelity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/characters/monsieur_loiseau
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/characters