15 literary tattoos that will inspire book lovers to get more ink

“Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum” from The Handmaid’s Tale

Margaret Atwood’s The Hamdmaid’s Tale has been considered a classic for a long time, but its relevance has peaked in recent years, with many readers relating Atwood’s dystopia to the current political climate in the United States. The Hulu adaptation of the book has also drawn more attention to Atwood’s world, a place where women are oppressed and viewed as objects.

The main character of The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred, is one such women. Taken from her husband and child, just like many others, Offred is forced to be a “handmaid” for a wealthy man whose wife cannot conceive children. The handmaids’ sole purpose is to produce a child for a privileged couple, making their lives and future bleak to say the least.

During one of her lower points in  the story, Offred discovers the phrase “Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum” carved into her bedroom. When translated, the Latin phrase amounts to “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” This phrase is great for anyone who needs the reminder to not care what others think or do, though it’s recently been adopted by feminist fans of the book.

As with most quote tattoos, fans of The Handmaid’s Tale can choose the surrounding design to fit their own preferences. This one is framed by gorgeous flowers, but readers can always choose a more plain or even more colorful backdrop for the words.