The novel opens on Grand Isle, a town in Louisiana, located on a barrier island of the same name in the Gulf of Mexico. Léonce Pontellier, an affluent New Orleans businessman, is reading his newspaper. Mr. Pontellier is distracted by two birds and the pets of Madame Lebrun, the guesthouse’s proprietor, who are making a lot of noise. The mockingbird sings while the parrot calls out words in English and French. Hoping to find a quiet corner far from the disruptive birds, Mr. Pontellier goes back into the cottage he has rented.

When he finally sits down to continue reading his paper, he notices that the noise coming from the building has only increased: now, not only are the birds chattering, but also the Farival twins are playing the piano and Madame Lebrun is giving orders to her two servants. Mr. Pontellier also notices a woman dressed in black; she holds a rosary in her hand and seems to be walking around aimlessly. Under the wateroaks, his two sons—a four-year-old and a five-year-old—are playing, accompanied by their nurse. Mr. Pontellier notices that two people are approaching the guesthouse.