What is juxtaposition? Definition and examples
What is juxtaposition?
Juxtaposition creates contrast between two or more concepts, such as light and darkness. This literary device is used to highlight the difference between the compared items, such as light being a source of hope while darkness represents despair.
Common types of juxtaposition
Antithesis
Antithesis is a type of juxtaposition which utilises opposites and a parallel sentence structure. A juxtaposition contrasts two concepts, but they don't need to be opposites. A juxtaposition could be day and dawn or summer and spring, while an antithesis would need to compare opposites like day and night or summer and winter.
A classic example of an antithesis is "That's one small step for a man – one giant leap for mankind."
This antithesis compares small and giant, as well as man and mankind.
If this phrase was "That's one small step for a man which has morphed into a giant step for all of us" (which does not sound as good!) then this would be a juxtaposition, as it compares small steps and giant steps, but it would not be an antithesis as it doesn't have parallel sentence structure.
Juxtaposition examples
Good and evil
One's inner circle (i.e., family and friends) and outsiders
Star Trek's Captain Kirk and Spock
Pride and prejudice
War and peace
Lost and found
Artists and AI
Night and day
Batman and the Joker
Humans and aliens
Juxtaposition in literature
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein creates juxtaposition by showing the Creature, who is seen as the "monster", display more humanity than others around him. We see this with Victor Frankenstein (a common mistake is thinking the Creature's name is Frankenstein, but Frankenstein is actually the Creature's creator). Frankenstein cruelly forces the Creature into a life of isolation. While the Creature does respond with violence, it's the result of him seeing and witnessing the cruelty around him.
In other words, it's a juxtaposition between good and evil. This juxtaposition encourages the reader to question who the monster really is: Frankenstein or the Creature.
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games uses juxtaposition to contrast the wealth of the characters in each district.
The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, is driven by poverty to put more tickets into the Hunger Games lottery in order to feed her family.
In wealthier districts, participating is seen as a privilege and people volunteer with pride.
This juxtaposition is even stronger when Katniss travels to the Capitol for the games and she witnesses lavish wealth beyond anything she could dream of.
This creates a sense of injustice in readers: why does Katniss have to fight for her family's survival while others live an abundant life?
Star Trek
Star Trek offers another useful juxtaposition, this time between two characters. Spock is a highly logical character and Captain Kirk is emotional. Star Trek shows us that too much of one of these emotions can cause trouble, but when the two characters join forces and utilise their strengths, they make a fantastic team.
How to use juxtaposition in fiction writing
Juxtaposition can be used to add deeper meaning to your writing because it can draw contrast between two items that would not necessarily be linked, such as characters on different journeys in life.
You can do this at a sentence, paragraph or even a novel level.
Alternatively, juxtaposition can be used to persuade as it can evoke emotion in your reader by highlighting the vast difference between the two concepts.
Let's think back to "That's one small step for a man – one giant leap for mankind." This provokes an emotional response because it highlights how one man taking a simple step signifies a huge milestone for the human race. It also subtly points out that one man has made the step onto the moon but the work of getting to this point involved the hard work of countless people over many years.
When creating juxtapositions, consider the impact that comparing your characters has. Often, one character will be shown in a better light than the other. This can be useful when you want to show your protagonist isn't perfect but be careful you're not accidentally highlighting the wrong thing.
Remember that juxtapositions don't need to be glaringly obvious. In fact, the best use of juxtaposition can be subtle.
Conclusion
Juxtaposition creates contrast between two or more things. Juxtaposition is a powerful tool for fiction writers to contrast and compare their characters. However, make sure you are not drawing attention to unwanted characteristics.