What is the theme of clooney clown?

The theme of the short story "Clooney Clown" by Margi Preus is the contrast between appearances and reality. The main character, a young girl named Marly, is initially fascinated by the clown Clooney and his ability to make people laugh, but she eventually comes to realize that there is more to the clown than meets the eye. Clooney is not always happy, he is lonely, and he eventually gets depressed and dies.