book cover Redesign
Using visual rhetoric to redesign a book cover that captures the themes of
To Kill a Mockingbird.
Synopsis
In To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee uses memorable characters to explore civil rights and racism in the segregated Southern United States of the 1930s.
Final Design
I wanted to explore the concept of empathy and the idea that one cannot truly understand what another person is going through until they are in their shoes.
The first rhetorical trope I used is simile, as the footsteps represent different people in the book. My second trope is allusion, with the mockingbird symbolizing the theme of punishing the innocent. As stated in the book and its title, it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because all they do is sing all day. Similarly, some characters, like Tom Robinson, are punished for circumstances beyond their control and for actions they did not commit.
Flat Design
Book Cover Sketches
Before selecting the final concept for the book cover, I considered two additional concepts.
Concept 1
For my first concept, I wanted to show a mockingbird flying, with Atticus Finch on top of the bird, as I believe he represents the mockingbird in a way. His character is a lawyer defending the innocent Tom Robinson while trying to raise his two children in a small, conservative town like Maycomb. He is the knight in shining armor, striving to do what is morally right in a town that is not only racially, but also socially divided.
Concept 2
For my second concept, I wanted to show a falling mockingbird feather, with Atticus on one side and Tom on the other. I believe they both represent the mockingbird in different ways. Atticus is a morally just person who faces harassment for his decision to defend Tom. Tom represents the mockingbird because he is wrongfully punished after being falsely accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, despite his only intention is to help her.
Additional Sketches
Reflection
Insights I’ve learned from this project.
This project allowed me to explore and understand how visual rhetoric can be utilized as a powerful storytelling tool to highlight important themes such as prejudice, bravery, human perception, and integrity. The book itself played a profoundly significant role in shaping my perspective during my formative years. Working on this project not only gave me the opportunity to visually interpret its themes but also allowed me to connect deeply with the narrative on a personal level, transforming my childhood reflections into a creative expression that resonates with others.
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