Monsieur Loisel works as a humble clerk at the Ministry of Public Education and is married to an extremely superficial, ungrateful woman. Mathilde Loisel resents marrying her husband and constantly daydreams about enjoying a luxurious life. Sadly, there is nothing Monsieur Loisel can do for his wife that will lift her spirits and make her happy. One day, Monsieur Loisel returns home from work with a "triumphant air" as he presents a large envelope to his wife. Guy De Maupassant's description of Monsieur Loisel's elated attitude indicates that he is both excited and proud to be invited to the ball at the Ministry.

Monsieur Loisel hopes to please his wife by showing her the invitation to the exclusive, upper-class ball but is discouraged by Mathilde's reaction. Mathilde proceeds to take the invitation and throw it on the table with disdain. Monsieur Loisel responds by telling his wife that he had difficulty attaining the invitation and refers to it as a "fine opportunity."

For a man in Monsieur Loisel's position, an invitation to the ball is the perfect opportunity to make connections and mingle with privileged individuals in places of authority. Unlike his wife, Monsieur Loisel is thrilled at the rare opportunity and agrees to give his wife four hundred francs to buy a dress for the ball.