”Conservative Ullanlinna, not really a hotbed of popstars”

Place names and characterisation in Finnish crime fiction

• Milla Juhonen Helsingin yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30665/av.143039

Keywords: rikoskirjallisuus, paikannimet, kirjallisuusnimistö, henkilöhahmot, luokkateoria crime fiction, place names, characterization, literary onomastics, class theory

Abstract

This article examines the use of place names in four Finnish crime novels, Marius (2014) and Helmimies (2019) by Outi Pakkanen, Leijonakuningas (2013) by Harri Nykänen and Pahuuden hinta (2017) by Matti Laine. By combining linguistic onomastics and literary studies, the article analyses the role of place names in the indirect presentation of characters.

The role of place names in indirect presentation is approached from two different points of view. Firstly, the study analyses how place names are employed to compare the prestigious southern areas of Helsinki with apartment-building suburbs outside the city centre. By creating contrasts between different neighbourhoods, place names link the characters to discussions about social class and social climbing, as the characters’ social mobility is indicated through changes in their places of residence. Secondly, the article examines the role of the names of characters’ residential streets in characterisation. Street names describe character personalities and their past and present situations. The names also contain references to future plot developments in the novels.