Dolly Parton Beginnings

Willowdean Dickson, a self-proclaimed fat girl in small-town Texas, finds her earliest joys in Dolly Parton songs and her friendship with Ellen Dryver. Their bond, forged over music and mutual understanding, becomes the foundation of Willowdean's sense of self. Yet, even in these moments of happiness, Willowdean is acutely aware of her body and how it sets her apart. The town's obsession with the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant, run by her former beauty queen mother, looms over her life, setting the stage for a story about identity, belonging, and the courage to be seen.

Friendship and First Crushes

As Willowdean and Ellen grow, their friendship is tested by new experiences—Ellen's relationship with Tim, Willowdean's crush on her coworker Bo, and the subtle shifts that come with adolescence. Willowdean's self-deprecating humor masks her longing for acceptance and romance. The girls' differences—Ellen's ease in her own skin versus Willowdean's self-consciousness—highlight the complexities of female friendship. Willowdean's first encounters with Bo are charged with possibility, but also with the fear that her body will always be a barrier to love.

The Weight of Loss

The death of Willowdean's beloved aunt Lucy, who was also fat and reclusive, leaves a void in her life. Lucy's absence is felt in every corner of the house, especially as Willowdean's mother begins to clear out her room. Lucy's quiet wisdom and acceptance of herself had been a lifeline for Willowdean, and her loss intensifies Willowdean's struggle with self-worth. The process of grieving is complicated by her mother's fixation on the pageant and her own unresolved feelings about Lucy's life and death.

Pageant Town Pressures

Clover City's identity is wrapped up in its annual beauty pageant, a spectacle that both fascinates and repels Willowdean. Her mother's pride in her own pageant past is a constant reminder of the standards Willowdean feels she can never meet. The town's narrow definitions of beauty and success weigh heavily on her, fueling both resentment and a desire to prove herself. The pageant becomes a symbol of everything Willowdean wants to challenge about her world—and herself.

Summer of Insecurities

The summer brings new challenges: poolside confrontations, awkward encounters with Ellen's new friends, and the sting of being left out. Willowdean's insecurities are magnified in public spaces, where her body feels most exposed. Yet, moments of joy—like floating in the pool or sharing secrets with Ellen—remind her of her right to take up space. The tension between wanting to hide and wanting to be seen becomes a driving force in her journey.

Kisses and Confessions

Willowdean's relationship with Bo deepens, culminating in secret kisses behind the fast-food restaurant where they work. The thrill of being desired is quickly overshadowed by self-doubt; Willowdean recoils from Bo's touch, convinced that her body is unlovable. Their romance is marked by secrecy and the fear of public scrutiny. Meanwhile, Willowdean's friendship with Ellen is strained by unspoken truths and the growing distance between them.

Rift and Rebellion

A fight with Ellen over the pageant and new friendships leaves Willowdean feeling isolated. The rift exposes the ways they've been holding each other back, and Willowdean's anger propels her toward a bold decision: to enter the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant herself. This act of rebellion is both a challenge to her mother and the town, and a test of her own courage. The fallout from her choice forces her to confront what she truly wants from herself and her relationships.

Entering the Spotlight

Willowdean's decision to enter the pageant inspires other misfit girls—Millie, Amanda, and eventually Hannah—to join her. What began as a personal dare becomes a small revolution, as girls who have always been on the margins claim their right to be seen. The group's camaraderie is tested by the pressures of preparation and the scrutiny of the town, but their shared determination creates a new sense of belonging. Willowdean's leadership is reluctant but powerful, as she learns the impact of her actions on others.

Misfits Unite

The misfit contestants seek guidance from an unexpected source: a group of Dolly Parton drag queens at a local bar. The queens teach them how to walk, pose, and own the stage, but more importantly, they model unapologetic self-expression. The experience is transformative, giving the girls the confidence to embrace their differences and support each other. Willowdean realizes that being present and visible is itself an act of defiance and hope.

Lessons from Drag Queens

The drag queens' mentorship extends beyond pageant tips—they offer lessons in resilience, humor, and the power of community. Willowdean sees in them a reflection of her aunt Lucy's spirit and the possibility of a life lived on one's own terms. The girls' bond deepens as they share vulnerabilities and dreams, forging a chosen family that stands in contrast to the judgmental world outside. The pageant becomes less about winning and more about showing up for themselves and each other.

Love, Labels, and Letting Go

Willowdean's relationships with Bo and Mitch come to a head. Bo wants to make their relationship public, but Willowdean hesitates, afraid of ridicule and convinced she doesn't deserve happiness. Her fear of being seen with Bo is mirrored by her reluctance to fully embrace her own worth. The tension between wanting love and fearing exposure forces Willowdean to confront the limits she's placed on herself. Letting go of Mitch and facing the truth about Bo becomes a turning point in her journey.

Mother-Daughter Showdown

The pageant preparations bring Willowdean and her mother into direct conflict over body image, expectations, and the meaning of success. Their arguments are fraught with old wounds and unspoken fears. Yet, in moments of vulnerability—altering a dress together, sharing memories of Lucy—they begin to see each other more clearly. The struggle to reconcile love and disappointment becomes a catalyst for growth on both sides.

The Power of Presence

As the pageant approaches, Willowdean grapples with doubts about her place on the stage. The support of her friends, the lessons from the drag queens, and the memory of Lucy give her the strength to persist. The act of showing up—of being present in her own life—becomes an act of resistance against shame and invisibility. The misfit girls' presence in the pageant challenges the town's narrow definitions of beauty and worth.

Reconciliation and Revelations

Willowdean and Ellen finally reconcile, acknowledging the ways they've hurt and needed each other. Their renewed bond is built on honesty, forgiveness, and the acceptance that growing up means changing together and apart. Willowdean confides in Ellen about Bo, her insecurities, and her hopes. The act of sharing her truth is liberating, allowing her to move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion.

The Pageant Unfolds

The night of the pageant is a whirlwind of nerves, mishaps, and moments of grace. Willowdean and her friends face wardrobe malfunctions, last-minute changes, and the ever-present threat of humiliation. Yet, their determination and solidarity carry them through. Willowdean's bold choice to perform "Jolene" in drag, defying the rules, is a declaration of self-love and defiance. The audience's response is electric, affirming the power of authenticity.

Claiming the Stage

Disqualified for breaking the rules, Willowdean nonetheless claims her place on the stage, escorting Ellen in the formal wear segment and supporting her friends. The misfit girls shine in their own ways, and Millie is named second runner-up. The pageant, once a symbol of exclusion, becomes a site of transformation and possibility. Willowdean's mother, too, experiences her own moment of vulnerability and acceptance, as her dress no longer fits but her spirit endures.

Beauty in Imperfection

The aftermath of the pageant is bittersweet. Willowdean walks home in her red dress, savoring the feeling of having stepped into her own light. The experience has not erased her insecurities or solved all her problems, but it has given her a new sense of agency. She understands that beauty is not about perfection, but about presence, courage, and the willingness to be seen as you are. The story ends with Willowdean embracing her nickname, her body, and her right to happiness.

Becoming Dumplin'

Willowdean's journey comes full circle as she reclaims the name "Dumplin'" and the legacy of her aunt Lucy. She recognizes the impact she has had on others—her friends, her mother, and even Bo—and the ways they have changed her in return. The story closes with a sense of hope and possibility, as Willowdean steps into the world not as a sidekick or a punchline, but as the hero of her own story.

Characters

Willowdean Dickson

Willowdean, or "Dumplin'," is a fat teenager navigating the complexities of self-image, grief, and belonging in a small Texas town obsessed with beauty pageants. Her relationship with her late aunt Lucy shapes her sense of self, offering both comfort and a cautionary tale. Willowdean's humor and defiance mask deep insecurities, especially regarding her body and her worthiness of love. Her journey is one of claiming visibility, challenging societal norms, and learning to accept both her strengths and flaws. Through friendships, romance, and rebellion, Willowdean becomes a catalyst for change—not just for herself, but for those around her.

Ellen Dryver

Ellen is Willowdean's lifelong friend, embodying the ease and beauty that Willowdean envies. Their bond is tested by new relationships, shifting priorities, and the pressures of growing up. Ellen's own insecurities are often hidden beneath her composed exterior, but her loyalty to Willowdean is unwavering. The rift between them exposes the ways they have both relied on and limited each other. Ellen's willingness to forgive and adapt is key to their reconciliation and mutual growth.

Rosie Dickson (Willowdean's Mother)

Rosie is a former beauty queen whose identity is tied to the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant. Her relationship with Willowdean is fraught with tension over body image, expectations, and the legacy of Lucy. Rosie's love is real but often expressed through criticism and control. The generational divide between them is bridged through moments of vulnerability and shared struggle, leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance on both sides.

Bo Larson

Bo is Willowdean's coworker and secret crush, whose affection challenges her beliefs about desirability and worth. His own struggles—with loss, class, and identity—mirror Willowdean's, creating a bond built on shared vulnerability. Bo's desire to make their relationship public forces Willowdean to confront her fears and the limits she places on herself. His patience and honesty are instrumental in her journey toward self-acceptance.

Lucy Dickson

Lucy's presence looms large in Willowdean's life, even after her death. As a fat woman who withdrew from the world, Lucy represents both the dangers of internalized shame and the possibility of self-acceptance. Her quiet wisdom, love of Dolly Parton, and refusal to be defined by others inspire Willowdean to challenge the status quo. Lucy's memory is a source of strength and a reminder of what is at stake in the fight for visibility.

Millie Michalchuk

Millie is another fat girl who joins Willowdean in the pageant, embodying a different kind of courage—one rooted in kindness and unwavering belief in herself. Her optimism and resilience inspire those around her, and her willingness to defy her parents' expectations is an act of quiet rebellion. Millie's journey is a testament to the power of presence and the importance of claiming one's place in the world.

Amanda Lumbard

Amanda, with her corrective shoes and sharp wit, is used to being an outsider. Her friendship with Willowdean, Millie, and Hannah gives her a sense of belonging she has never known. Amanda's willingness to be vulnerable and her support for her friends are crucial to the group's success. Her journey is one of embracing difference and finding strength in community.

Hannah Perez

Hannah's tough exterior hides deep wounds from years of bullying and exclusion. Her initial desire to sabotage the pageant is transformed by the solidarity she finds with the other misfits. Hannah's journey is about learning to trust, to accept friendship, and to believe in her own worth. Her presence challenges the group to confront their own assumptions and to expand their definition of beauty.

Mitch Lewis

Mitch is a football player who befriends Willowdean and briefly becomes her romantic interest. His own struggles with expectations and identity mirror Willowdean's, and his gentle persistence offers her a safe space to explore her feelings. Mitch's willingness to accept friendship after rejection is a model of maturity and grace.

Lee Wei (Drag Queen Mentor)

Lee Wei, a Dolly Parton drag queen, becomes an unexpected mentor to Willowdean and her friends. Her lessons in performance, presence, and authenticity are transformative, offering a vision of life lived unapologetically. Lee's wisdom and warmth help the girls see themselves—and each other—in a new light.

Plot Devices

Pageant as Battleground

The Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant is both a literal and symbolic battleground where issues of beauty, worth, and belonging are contested. It serves as a microcosm of the town's values and a stage for Willowdean's rebellion. The pageant's rules, rituals, and expectations provide structure for the narrative, while also highlighting the absurdity and arbitrariness of societal standards.

Dual Narratives of Friendship and Romance

The story weaves together the threads of friendship and romance, using the tensions between them to explore themes of jealousy, change, and acceptance. The rift and reconciliation between Willowdean and Ellen mirror the challenges in Willowdean's relationship with Bo, creating a layered emotional arc.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

Dolly Parton's music and persona are recurring motifs, symbolizing resilience, self-invention, and the power of performance. Lucy's memory and the objects she leaves behind—records, jewelry, advice—foreshadow Willowdean's journey toward self-acceptance. The recurring image of the front door, stuck and then finally fixed, symbolizes the possibility of change and new beginnings.

Ensemble Cast and Multiple Perspectives

The inclusion of misfit girls—Millie, Amanda, Hannah—broadens the narrative, allowing for a richer exploration of difference and solidarity. Their stories intersect and diverge, creating a tapestry of experiences that challenge the town's—and the reader's—assumptions about beauty and worth.

Performance and Authenticity

The act of performing—whether in the pageant, in drag, or in daily life—is both a source of anxiety and a path to authenticity. The lessons from the drag queens underscore the idea that self-invention is an act of courage, and that presence is itself a form of resistance.

Analysis

Julie Murphy's Dumplin' is a vibrant, emotionally resonant exploration of self-acceptance, friendship, and the courage to be seen. At its heart, the novel challenges the tyranny of narrow beauty standards and the shame that keeps so many on the margins. Through Willowdean's journey—from self-deprecating outsider to reluctant leader and symbol of change—the story interrogates what it means to take up space in a world that insists you shrink. The pageant, both a site of trauma and transformation, becomes a metaphor for the larger struggle to define oneself on one's own terms. The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: Willowdean's insecurities are not magically resolved, and her relationships remain complex and evolving. Instead, Dumplin' insists on the power of presence, the necessity of community, and the radical act of loving oneself in a world that profits from self-doubt. In an era obsessed with perfection, Murphy's work is a joyful, defiant reminder that beauty is not a size, but a state of being.

Last updated: August 31, 2025