An important theme in the novel is the perfection of images. On the surface, everything appears just so in Lake Windsor Downs. Analyze surfaces, facades and appearances in Tangerine.

Tangerine is a story about facades, appearances, and all that lies hidden beneath. Just like the lignite fires smoldering under the surface of the soil of Tangerine County, there is violence and deception under the surface of the lives of the people in the story. The Lake Windsor housing develop is a place where all the homes must conform to a certain standard. Everything is meant to look perfect. In reality, however, termites are infesting one entire street; there’s lightning repeatedly hitting one house; there are muck fires blowing repulsive smoke everywhere. Despite the façade, the truth underneath is revealing itself. The very attempt to deny the problems seems to make them worse. This is certainly true in the case of Erik. By never addressing Erik’s violence against Paul, Paul’s parents have created a monster. By acting as though Erik is a hero, they never look at what he’s actually like. Little by little, his dark side begins to reveal itself, until he ultimately ends up being complicit in the killing of Luis.