How Did Tim Burton Influence Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was an ingenious author, poet, playwright, and artisan in the morbid literature and arts. He had a momentous impact on the “gothic lore” genre, and many followed in his footsteps. One French poet named Charles Baudelaire, author of “Fleurs du Mal” (Flowers of Evil), spent a great deal of his time translating and commentating on Poe’s works. Poe’s most significant and notable impacts were on American author H.P. Lovecraft, and American artist and modern director Tim Burton. Lovecraft was popular in the early 1900s, most famous for his novel The Call of Cthulu (1926). Burton has directed many popular stop-motion films, including The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and Corpse Bride (2005). Poe’s legacy is celebrated through these

As mentioned before, Lovecraft was greatly influenced by E.A. Poe. He wrote in the same grim and lurid style that Poe did. Lovecraft even directly names Poe’s tale “The Imp of Perverse” (1845) in his novella The Shadow over Innsmouth (1936). Tim Burton also referenced Poe in his short horror film, Vincent. The film, published in 1982, is about a seven-year-old boy who wants to be just like Vincent Price. In the film, the narrator says, “While most children read books like “Go Jane Go”, Vincent’s favorite author is Edgar Allan Poe.” (Burton, Tim, dir. Vincent. Perf. Vincent Price. Walt Disney Productions, 1982. Film.). The seven-minute film ends with Vincent reciting the last line of Poe’s “The Raven” (1845) as he dies. Burton also could have very well gotten his directing and art style from Poe. There have been two movies made based on Poe’s most famous poem “The Raven”. Some movies have been made based on his short stories, such as The House of Usher, based on “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1839), and more recently Stonehearst Asylum, which is based on Poe’s “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether” (1845). It seems Poe is still influencing us from beyond the