A Silent Reminder

Link to Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M9YrAvCFkdQoNaka1rB52Ge0cac401AV-CrRNiV7MI8/edit?usp=sharing

For my artwork, I chose to visually represent one of the haunting moments from The Handmaid’s Tale so far, the first introduction of the Wall in Chapter 6 (pages 30-36). In my piece, the Wall is depicted as a looming, oppressive structure of red brick, lined with bodies hanging, set against a bleak and gloomy background. I designed the scene to feel gritty and unsettling, showing off the harsh atmosphere of Gilead. This imagery captures both the literal and symbolic power of the Wall within the book, functioning as a constant reminder of authority, fear, and control. One of the key inspirations for my artwork comes from offred’s description. It states, “Now we turn our backs on the church and here is the thing we’re in truth come to see: the Wall.” (pg. 31). This line conveys how the Wall has replaced the traditional symbols of morality with something darker and more oppressive. The shift from the church to the wall demonstrates Gilead’s manipulation of religion to control its citizens. By visually highlighting the Wall, I wanted to capture this unsettling transition from faith to fear, where death and punishment become the true foundation of authority. In my drawing, I emphasized the architectural details Offred notices: “Like the sidewalks, it’s red brick, and must one have been plain and handsome.” (pg. 31). This description inspired me to use the red tones of the brick not only as a realistic element but also a symbolic choice. Red recurs throughout the book, especially in connection with the Handmaids, but here it is tied to violence and death. The “plain but handsome” past of the building shows how something once ordinary and even beautiful has been transformed into a device of terror. My choice to make the bricks appear more weathered and blood-stained reflects this shift in meaning, reinforcing how Gilead corrupts the ordinary into many tools of oppression. The Wall is not just a structure, but it maintains a sight of control. The description, “Gates have sentries and there are ugly new floodlights mounted on metal posts above it, and barbed wire.” (pg. 31), influenced my decision to add a floodlight casting a cold and harsh beam across the scene. These lights illuminate the bodies, forcing passersby to see them. The barbed wire at the top adds to the sense of entrapment and security, making it clear the Wall is designed to be seen, feared, and remembered. Most haunting of all are the bodies themselves: “Sometimes they’ll be there for days until there’s a new batch, so as many as possible will have the chance to see them.” (pg. 32). By including hanged figures in my artwork, I wanted to confront the view with the brutality of this society. The facelessness of the bodies with bagged heads and dangling limbs, emphasizes their reduction to examples rather than just the individuals. The book states, “They have committed atrocities and must be made into examples, for the rest” (pg. 33) underscores how Gildead justified these public executions and showing. In my art, the hanged bodies act as warnings forcing those who look upon them into obedience and control. The gloominess of my scene comes from Offred’s own reflection: “I didn’t hear the bells. Perhaps I’ve become used to them.” (pg. 32). This detail highlights the normalization of the horror within Gilead. Over time, even the most gruesome sights and sounds lose their shock. In designing my artwork, I included gray skies and a dim atmosphere to represent the numbness Offred is feeling. The setting feels both ordinary and horrific at the same time, reflecting the danger of becoming desensitized to cruelty. Lastly, my visual representation of the Wall is significant because it captures the essence of Gilead’s power structure. The Wall is not just about punishing criminals, but it is about constant psychological control. It instills fear, enforces conformity, and eliminates individuality. For Offred and the Handmaids, it is a permanent reminder that resistance is deadly and survival requires submission. By portraying the Wall in a gritty, oppressive style, I hope to reflect both the immediate horror and its wider range of symbolism as a dystopian tool of dominance. In creating this piece of work, I wanted the viewers to feel the same unease that Offred feels and converts when she first describes the Wall. The Wall’s power lies in its visibility where everyone must look at it and think about it, remembering its meaning. My artwork aims to make that same impact, making the viewer experience the fear and the darkness of Gilead showing off the symbols that are for control.