The process for this reimagined book jacket design for Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel was focused on encapsulating the profound themes of the book, particularly oppression, and resilience, in a visually symbolic manner.
The hands ripping the mask apart metaphorize the Handmaids’ coerced emergence into a world that fractures their identity. This image signifies their struggle and resilience in the face of oppressive circumstances. A powerful metaphor is at play within this image: the depiction of sperm infiltrating the mask. This represents the reduction of Handmaids to mere vessels for childbirth, a stark portrayal of their dehumanization.
The back cover is the iconic red cloak and white bonnet, symbols of the Handmaids' subjugation in the Republic of Gilead.
This redesign strives to marry the novel's stark realities with its narrative's symbolic essence. It seeks to portray the oppressive regime and the unyielding spirit of resistance, encapsulating the novel's relevance in contemporary times.
