Whether Burton and the team meant for the character to be perceived that way, this is the tradition he falls in line with. A thorough interrogation of his own values and cultural perceptions of Black people may have led Burton to make different, better choices. Considering the popularity of his films and the man himself, Burton’s influence on peoples’ consciousnesses is undeniable. It is precisely because of this impact that the bigotry in his works needs to be unpacked with honesty. There’s no need to feel badly for finding his movies entertaining – they’re literally designed to be – but parts of those designs cause real harm. These things can all be true at once. Critically consuming content is vital.