"I remember being one of those kids where every day was a science fair... It was like, 'here, let's mix this and see if it explodes.' " Tim Burton was always eccentric as a child, but he accepted his differences and embraced them through his art. Influenced by the B-horror films of his childhood, Tim Burton brought the iconic dark atmosphere to his films, putting a modern twist on the idea of ​​monsters and darkness. The characters portrayed in his films had the dark qualities he saw in himself. In the films Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton used the cinematic element of symbolism to convey the recurring theme of individuality. Tim Burton's film Edward Scissorhands explores the idea of ​​an outcast by applying symbolism in various ways. The journey Edward faced in trying to become part of society fits the typical “hero story archetype,” but Burton's unique symbols make the story unprecedented. A symbol that illustrated the theme of individuality was the costume. When Edward was first found he was wearing leather from head to toe, but Peg gave him a shirt and trousers to wear so he would fit in with the rest of the neighborhood. Although he wore the clothes without hesitation, he never took off his leather clothing, implying that while he may have changed on the outside, on the inside he refused to conform. Furthermore, as the film progressed, Edward's social acceptance rapidly declined. In turn, Burton slowly had Edward's costume torn apart, until the "mob" scene where he completely ripped his shirt off, which showed how he will never become what everyone else wanted him to be. Another symbol that Burton included in Edward Scissorhands that provides his ideas with a breath of fresh air, but have a deeper meaning and are fertile ground for thought and consideration. His recurring theme of individuality, which is supported by symbolism in his works, creates easily identifiable characters and situations. The ability to transform a man with scissors for hands or a skeleton into a character relevant to one's current life is special; not many people could pull it off. Burton gracefully blended his influences of Edgar Allan Poe-like characters and Dr. Seuss-inspired scenarios to create cinematic works that have influenced people of all ages. He may have been an outcast as a child, but what was once a flaw now sets him apart from other directors. Edward Scissorhands and Nightmare before Christmas are just a part of the films in which he has woven a profound theme that promotes individuality and being true to oneself.