Background


Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys reimagines the story of Bertha Mason, the “madwoman in the attic” from Jane Eyre, through a feminist lens, exploring identity, colonialism, and female oppression. My master’s degree essay analyzed the novel’s feminist themes, which deeply influenced my book cover design.

Process work


I captured Bertha’s final act—jumping from the burning attic to reclaim her fate. My first version felt too horror-like, overshadowing her liberation. The final design depicts her as a solid soul in the fire wind, walking at the castle’s edge. This visual balances tragedy and empowerment, portraying Bertha’s resistance and self-liberation.

Credits


Design Vanessa Li
Pictures Pexels