Contrast has a lot of power. Only the darkness of space allows you to view the light of the stars at night. You can create contrast by combining two different things or concepts, known as juxtaposition. When used correctly, it can help you improve your writing.

Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is the definition of juxtaposition?
Juxtaposition (pronounced juck-stuh-puh-ZIH-shun) is a literary construct similar to personification and portmanteau. The device creates meaning through contrast. Although juxtaposition may appear abstract, you’ve undoubtedly utilized it without realizing it. For example, conjunction is used to point in phrases like “you can’t teach old dog new tricks.”

It’s simple to assume that juxtaposition entails putting two concepts or objects next to each other, but this isn’t always the case. It may be compared to “apples and oranges” (another phrase that uses juxtaposition). The device can affect a reader or text in a variety of ways:

• Character development in a story
• Investigating the relationship between two seemingly unrelated topics
• Providing evidence for a persuasive argument

Keep in mind that the consequences of the contrast juxtaposition aren’t always intended.

When does juxtaposition come into play?
When you juxtapose two distinct concepts or objects, you create a contrast that highlights their differences or similarities. It might reinforce an argument, elicit an emotional response, or provide further context.

Literature, poetry, speeches, visual art, and even symbols all contain examples of juxtaposition.

Juxtaposition is a literary tactic.
The conjunction can be employed in various ways in literature, from abstract notions to individual sentences.

For instance, Charles Dickens’ famous antithesis, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” falls under the umbrella of juxtaposition and necessitates a contradiction in matched sides. You can think of it as a play on words, such as “deafening quiet” or “sweet sadness,” both are oxymorons, a sort of juxtaposition that exploits a contradiction to emphasize the meaning of each component of the contrast.

In some circumstances, the conjunction can also be utilized to inject humor, often through irony. Terry Pratchett, for example, states in Hogfather, “Real ignorance trumps artificial intellect every time.”

The conjunction can also be used more conceptually by authors. For example, in The Hunger Games, scenes of extreme poverty are juxtaposed with luxurious opulence.

At the character level, juxtaposition can be used. Two characters, for example, can act as foils for one other, contrasting their varied attributes to emphasize their differences. Consider Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz. The fact that these individuals are in the same plot highlights their disparities. However, it can also reveal surprising parallels that add to the story’s intricacy.

In Pride and Prejudice, for example, Mr. Wickham’s scandalous behavior reveals (and elevates) Mr. Darcy’s noble nature. It not only aids character development but also encourages readers to participate more actively in the reading experience by considering what these juxtapositions signify.

Juxtaposition isn’t just for the creative community. It’s also used in expository writing, and it can be used to make strong arguments.

How to make your juxtapositions?
When you wish to emphasize a point, juxtaposition might be beneficial. To bring juxtaposition to your professional writing, follow these steps:

1. First, determine your major points or thesis statement.
2. Consider what opposites or alternatives you could use to contrast those points.
3. Think about the consequences of each choice in your argument.
4. Choose the contrast that best supports your point.

Here’s how that might work in practice: Assume you work for a media company and are composing a proposal for a new series. Your proposal’s central idea could be that the corporation needs to invest in more video content.

This way, you could say: “We’re not using videos to reach out to our primary audience, Gen Zers.” Instead, our site is largely visited by Gen Xers and Millennials who enjoy listening to podcasts.”

Juxtaposition examples
Novels
“Every happy family is the same; every sad family is different.” Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein and the Monster

Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper

Poetry
“Treasure discovered but lost, the flirtation between the two.”

“The lost and found planets.”

“A Tiger at the Forest Pool,” Padel, Ruth

“Grave men who view with blinding vision, near-death”

“Do not go gently into that good night,” says the narrator. Thomas, Dylan

“How about ‘Merry’ and ‘Tragical?'” ‘Brief’ and ‘Tedious’?

That’s boiling ice and odd snow.”

—from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare, William

Television programmes
Captain Kirk (emotional) and Spock from Star Trek (logical)

The Haunting of Hill House features mental illness and monsters/ghosts.

Battlestar Galactica pits humans against Cylons.

Movies
The Joker and Batman in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight

In The Lord of the Rings, the magical, natural world and the era of man are all explored.

The Wizard of Oz features sepia-tone Kansas and the technicolour land of Oz.

Speech
“Do not inquire as to what your country can do for you. “Ask yourself what you can do to help your country.” —John F. Kennedy, US President.

“One little stride for man, one great leap for humanity.” Armstrong, Neil

“We have come to consecrate a section of that field as the last resting place for those who gave their lives here for that nation to live.”

—Gettysburg Address, US President Abraham Lincoln

Computer games

The Last of Us contrasts the danger of cityscapes in a post-apocalyptic future with the serenity of nature.

In the Life Is Strange series, there are both very mundane daily occurrences and high-stakes, miraculous experiences.

Super Mario Bros. features Mario and Wario.

Questions about juxtaposition

What is the definition of juxtaposition?
When two concepts or objects are placed adjacent to or near one other, their inherent distinctions and similarities are highlighted. Oxymoron, antithesis, and foil are only a few examples of juxtaposition.

When does juxtaposition come into play?
Language, literature, TV shows, movies, video games, art, symbolism, and more all use juxtaposition. It can also be used to talk about ideas.

What are some juxtaposition examples?
Many examples of juxtaposition can be found in various media and languages. Here are some examples of topics that can be juxtaposed:

• Day and night
• Good and bad
• Retribution and justice
• Peace and war
• Technology and humanity
• Virtue and vice
• Outsiders and family

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