Mansfield centers her story around Bertha and her reactions, with the two significant figures in Bertha's life, Pearl Fulton and Harry, being minimally described. Pearl is portrayed as little more than a presence: "she seldom did look at people directly," and a "strange half smile came and went upon her lips as though she lived by listening rather than seeing." Harry, on the other hand, is depicted as dynamic and energetic. Throughout most of the narrative, Bertha views him as a close friend; it is only at the conclusion that she perceives another aspect of his character when she sees him pull Pearl "violently to him" and then, moments later, hears his voice speaking to her "extravagantly cool and collected."

Besides the members of this love triangle, other attendees at Bertha's dinner party include individuals from the arts who appear lively and witty on the surface but are actually quite shallow. It's no coincidence that Eddie Warren's parting words to Bertha concern the "dreadfully eternal" nature of tomato soup as a poetic image. These characters help to illustrate the values of Bertha and Harry's social circle, where style and appearance have become paramount. Earlier in the story, Bertha meticulously arranged a bowl of fruit to complement her carpet's color and rearranged the pillows in the drawing room, which made the room "come alive" even in the absence of people.

Pearl Fulton

Pearl Fulton is Bertha’s intriguing new companion in the story. With her indirect gaze and subtle smile, she comes across as aloof and enigmatic. Although Bertha admits that she and Pearl have never had a truly deep conversation, on the evening of the dinner party, Bertha senses a close bond forming between them. This feeling is confirmed when Bertha realizes that Pearl is having an affair with her husband, Harry.

Mrs. Knight

Mrs. Knight and her husband attend Bertha’s dinner party. Despite her enthusiasm for interior decoration, Mrs. Knight dresses in eccentric outfits, making her look like a giant banana peel.

Norman Knight

Norman Knight is on the verge of opening a theater that will showcase thoroughly modern plays.

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Eddie Warren

Eddie Warren is an effeminate playwright. He is described as perpetually ‘‘in a state of acute distress’’ and spends the evening complaining about his taxi ride to the party.

Bertha Young

Bertha, a young homemaker, is the protagonist of the story. Although the narrative is told from her viewpoint, readers learn few concrete details about her. She appears to lead a relatively leisurely life, as she and her husband are financially well-off. However, despite claiming that she and her husband are ‘‘pals,’’ her home life is less ideal than she perceives; her marriage lacks passion, and the nanny keeps her distant from her young daughter.

Bertha’s most striking trait is her inexplicable state of happiness. At the beginning of the story, she is delighted with everything life offers her. During her dinner party, she finds joy in almost everything: the beautiful pear tree in the garden, which seems to symbolize both herself and Pearl Fulton; her sophisticated and worldly friends; and the connection she is forming with Pearl. She even experiences sexual desire for her husband for the first time and looks forward to spending the rest of the evening alone with him. However, by the end of the story, the world that brings Bertha such joy is shattered when she discovers her husband’s affair with Pearl.

Harry Young

Harry is Bertha’s husband. He provides a comfortable income for his family, enjoys fine dining, and has a zest for life. However, his most defining trait is his deceitful nature: while he tells Bertha that he finds Pearl Fulton uninteresting, he is secretly involved in an affair with her. During the dinner party, he pretends to dislike Pearl, yet risks being caught when he embraces her in the hallway while his wife is nearby.