You frequently encounter instances of juxtaposition in advertising and marketing campaigns. But what is it? It is the purposeful arrangement of different things to showcase their differences or contrast. In this article, we’ll talk more about juxtaposition meaning and its proper use so you can incorporate it into your writing.
Related:
- What is an Oxymoron?
- Literary Devices: What Are They and 38 Common Types (With Examples)
- Colloquial Meaning: What Does It Mean?
What Does Juxtaposition Mean?
As mentioned earlier, juxtaposition, a literary device, is the purposeful arrangement of different elements. Writers use juxtaposition to create nuanced richness and interest or make a persuasive argument for their readers.
The term “juxtaposition,” pronounced junk-such-puh–zi-shun, first appeared in the mid-1600s. It blended the Latin base word “juxta,” meaning “near to,” and the French word “position,” meaning “to place” or “statement of belief.”
Examples of Juxtaposition
Let’s take a look at some interesting juxtapositions in poetry, literature, films, television, public speech, and even video games.
Juxtaposition in Poetry
In William Shakespeare’s poem, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, he used juxtaposition to highlight the desire to create harmony out of divisive chaos in the stanza:
"Merry and tragical? Tedious and brief?; That is hot ice, and wondrous strange snow!; How shall we find the concord of this discord?"Juxtaposition in Literature
Kevin Powers’ The Yellow Birds, he juxtaposes violence and benevolence to highlight the contradictions of war in the passage:
"You will soon be asked to do great violence in the cause of good."Juxtaposition in Television
Comedy writers use a “juxtaposition gag,” which is a technique that places two exaggerated opposite elements together for comic effect. You can spot a juxtaposition gag in The Simpsons, Admiral Baby, and Hail to the Chimp.
Juxtaposition in Public Speech:
In the Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln uses juxtaposition to evoke feelings of remorse and guilt in listeners, highlighting the death of soldiers and the life of the nation when he talks about the battlefield:
"...a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live."Juxtaposition in Cinema
In the film Jurassic Park, the dinosaurs are frequently shown dwarfing vehicles and buildings. This highlights the extreme difference between these creatures and the modern landscape.
Juxtaposition in Video Games
In the 2020 video game Wide Ocean Big Jacket by Turnfollow, the action scenes are juxtaposed with a dialogue shown in white text on a black screen. It is then followed by a return to an action scene that is now significantly different.
This pattern of action scene/dialogue screen/changed action scene repeats throughout the game and is a core element of the gameplay.
How to Use Juxtaposition in Your Writing
At its core, juxtaposition is simply the placement of two different items in close proximity for impact. When writers use juxtaposition, it can take various forms or be intended for different purposes.
For example, you might feature starkly opposing ideas to evoke strong emotions or send a powerful message. You could showcase two totally unrelated ideas, highlighting the absurdity of the pairing for comedic effect or to evoke an unsettling sense of “wrongness” for a thriller.
Juxtaposition is an advanced writing technique that may take a little practice to wield masterfully.
To make sure you are using it effectively, consider whether the elements you have chosen send a clear message or could be interpreted in another way that may cause confusion or send the wrong message.
Juxtaposition vs Other Literary Devices
Juxtaposition can take many forms. Let’s explore some of the most popular juxtaposition varieties.
Oxymoron vs. Juxtaposition
The oxymoron is a type of juxtaposition. It breaks down juxtaposition into a short statement made up of two opposing words. They often appear as noun/adjective combos, but they can take any form.
Common phrases like natural enhancement or deafening silence are great examples of oxymorons.
Antithesis vs. Juxtaposition
While a juxtaposition can involve elements that are merely unrelated or different, an antithesis almost always involves elements that are clear opposites. Plus, it is usually arranged in a parallel format, with the second half of the sentence mirroring the first but with opposite meanings.
Neal Armstrong’s famed moonwalk quote, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”, is a perfect example of the antithesis style and format.
Foil vs. Juxtaposition
A foil highlights the contrast between two characters in a narrative. For instance, a writer might create two different characters. One character may be incredibly wealthy and powerful, while the other is helpless.
Keep in mind that the foil is the character, not the literary device. The device is a juxtaposition. For example, the Wicked Witch of the West is the foil for Glinda, the Good Witch of the East.
Final Thoughts
And there you go! If there are two different ideas, objects, or characters in close proximity to make a point or send a clear message, that’s the juxtaposition meaning. It creates complexity and interest, adds a dash of humor, elicits strong emotion from your readers, and levels up the power of your novel
