Willowdean Dickson, the narrator of Dumplin’, and Ellen Dryver started their friendship the summer before first grade when Willowdean’s Aunt Lucy and Ellen’s mother, Suze, bonded over their love of the country music star, Dolly Parton. Lucy and Suze Dryver would drink iced tea in the kitchen leaving the soon to be first graders in the living room. Willowdean and Ellen watched cartoons together awkwardly until the stereo played Parton’s song “Dumb Blonde” and the two girls broke out in song and dance, consummating the beginning of their friendship.

Despite their differences, Willowdean and Ellen remain best friends through high school. Willowdean describes herself as “fat,” while she perceives Ellen as traditionally beautiful. Willowdean describes her best friend: “Tall, blond, and with this impossible goofy yet sexy paradox going on that only seems to exist in romantic comedies. She’s always been at home in her own skin” (2).

The girls live in the town of Clover City, which is home to the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant, the oldest beauty pageant in Texas. Will’s mother was Miss Teen Blue Bonnet when she was a teenager and is always on the planning committee for the event.