The Dressmaker

Some of the characters have names that relates to a trait or role that defines them. Lois Pickett is an example of this. Her name captures one of her defining traits—a trait that doesn't place her in a good light. According to Molly, Lois "scratches her scabs and blackheads then eats it from under her nails." Her last name seems to capture her habit of picking at her skin. Another example of a character whose name directly relates to what he's known for is the local butcher, whose name is Reginald Blood. Irma Almanac also has a notable name. Because of her rheumatoid arthritis, she supposedly has the ability to "predict rain coming, sometimes a week ahead." Like an almanac, Irma is "a handy barometer for farmers."

The McSwineys' name also seems rather literal. Although they're more sympathetic than the other people of Dungatar, partly because they're also to some degree treated as outcasts, their name—which contains the word "swine"—reflects that they live next to the local garbage dump and that Edward works as the town's night cart man.

Another family name that feels tongue-in-cheek is Beaumont. The Beaumonts—Elsbeth in particular—believe they're better than the rest of the townspeople and exaggerate both their wealth and cultivation. Their French last name, which means beautiful mountain, mocks this snobbish behavior.

Other names that feel humorous and elevate the satire of the novel include Faith O'Brien—who is cheating on her husband—and Prudence Dimm—the schoolteacher. Prudence's name is also apt because she's "extremely short-sighted and also very vain." It's also notable that the last name of the novel's main antagonist is "Pettyman" and that a character who believes the earth is flat has the last name "Crescent." Another funny name is Una Pleasance, which sounds like unpleasant, because few characters like her.