"To Kill a Mockingbird": Appearance Versus Reality

Appearance versus reality is a major theme in the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. There are many incorrect perceptions in the town of Maycomb county which include Jem and Scout's opinion of their father, Jem's judgement of Mrs. Dubose, the town's delusion of Boo Radley and the town's outlook of the black community.
In the introductory segment of the novel, Jem and Scout look at their father as an embarrassment and they think his age inhibits the development of their relationships. …