The Dressmaker is the first published novel by Rosalie Ham. Ham uses the novel to question whether remote societies play any role in the contemporary world. The novel is written in a gothic style and is set in a local town in Australia. This book explores issues of social and economic divisions in a community. The story revolves around a popular dressmaker named Tilly Dunnage. Tilly returns to the small town of Dungatar to take care of her ailing mother. No sooner does she arrive at Dungatar than she starts a dressmaking business.
Many local people are amused by Tilly’s expertise in dressmaking. However, the townspeople do not admire her character so much. Tilly is accused of killing a person before leaving Dungatar. The story is full of vengeance, hypocrisy, and betrayal. The author paints the town of Dungatar as an isolated place in the modern world. As well, Ham explores individualism by describing how the main character is forced to embrace individualistic values to survive in a divided community.
Tilly develops a pessimistic perception after learning that the townspeople are still holding old grudges. In the long run, she proves them wrong. Tilly’s expertise in fashion design endears her to local people gradually. This makes it easy for her to resist oppression and embrace self-worth. Readers get insight into how a “cursed” woman uses her sewing machine and expertise to revenge against the whole community.
