Dumplin

What was the relationship like between Willowdean’s mother and her Aunt Lucy both while they were growing up and also right before Lucy died? What hints does the author give the reader that make you come to this conclusion?

Willowdean tells herself that she isn’t listening to Ellen talk about sex with Tim because Ellen is all talk but no action, and if Ellen and Tim actually had sex, Will would pay attention. What is the real reason Will doesn’t want to listen to Ellen talk about sex with Tim?

Throughout the narrative, the characters Callie and Patrick function as bullies. Why has the author chosen to include both a male and female antagonist? Describe the differing ways in which they bully others, and detail how Will reacts to these different bullies over the course of the novel.

Willowdean stops in the town jewelry store to see if she can park her car in its parking space while she makes a quick run to the pharmacy. While she is there, Donna, the store manager, lets her try on the pageant crown. When Willowdean asks Donna why she is letting her wear it, Donna shrugs and replies: “Maybe ‘cause you don’t always have to win a pageant to wear a crown” (67). What does Donna mean? What are two examples in the book that support Donna’s belief about not having to win a pageant to wear a crown?

When Willowdean starts to think about competing in the pageant, she says: “An obscene thought crosses my mind” (141). Why does she consider the idea of her competing for the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet title “an obscene thought”?

Hannah surprises everyone by singing “Send in the Clowns” as her talent for the beauty pageant. “Send in the Clowns” is a song from Stephen Sondheim’s musical, A Little Night Music. Sondheim has said the “clowns in the song” are not circus clowns and are actually “fools.” Knowing what you do about Hannah and how she feels about the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant and its participants, why do you think the author choose to have Hannah sing a song about fools?

How does Hannah convince Willowdean to compete in the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant after Will tells everyone she is no longer participating? Why does Hannah know this will change Willowdean’s mind and Willowdean will compete? Is it wrong that Hannah lied to get Willowdean back in the pageant? Why or why not?

After Willowdean sees that Millie wins second place in the pageant, she leaves without knowing who won first place. Why do you think the author of Dumplin’ decided not to tell the reader who wins the beauty pageant? How does that decision support the themes of the rest of the book?