In To Kill a Mockingbird, what does the character Dill bring to the book?

The children first come to know Dill as the character who lives
next door sometimes, and is worth learning about. In this regard, Dill helps represent the
microcosm of society that groups of young children can be. In all societies, those who are lesser
in some way, try to work up to being something more. Dill portrays this as he is significantly
shorter than Jem and is trying to prove that he is something more. In my opinion, this is why he
feels the need to lie. It is the way he compensates for being shipped around from relative to
relative.

This same effort comes from Mayella Ewell in her effort to
grow flowers, it comes from Bob Ewell in his effort to sue a Negro just to clear his own name
from possible suspicion regarding his daughter's injuries, and we see it in the woman at
Calpurnia's church who tries to push her weight around when some white children attend her
church. People compensate for their perceived weaknesses.

Another
contribution Dill brings to the story is the innocence of a child.
His illness in the courtroom helps us see beyond the Finch children who are somewhat immune to
courtroom banter that can be hurtful to a human of another race. Dill's innocence will not allow
him to yet see color like an adult. Jem and Scout are not racist, but they understand Mr.
Glimer's ways. Without Dill, readers would have had no need for Mr. Dolphus Raymond's explanation
of the way he lives in chapter 20.