You might have come across two things being compared in literature. Good compared against evil, or specific characters being contrasted with each other. This sort of comparison is called juxtaposition. Juxtaposition is when two things are placed in close proximity in order to invite comparison or contrast between them. In photography this is done literally, while in stories it might be done by connecting abstract ideas or different characters. This is done to create more impactful scenes by connecting characters or ideas together. It also helps build a more complex picture when it’s used in storytelling and visual art pieces.
But how can you use juxtaposition in your own work? This guide will show you several juxtaposition examples, and teach how to use them appropriately.
Table of Contents
Where Are Juxtaposition Examples Commonly Used?
Juxtaposition Examples in Literature
Literary works often use juxtaposition to highlight themes. For example, “The Odyssey” highlights its theme of loyalty by contrasting the people that are consistently loyal to Odysseus, such as his family, with those who are less loyal to him, like the nobles of Ithaca and Eurylochus. The islands of Circe and Calypso are also juxtaposed with Odysseus’ home island of Ithaca. Poetry sometimes uses juxtaposition by including opposing ideas to create a deeper meaning, similarly to other forms of literature.
Juxtaposition Examples in Film and Media
In film, there are multiple ways you can include juxtaposition. One very common way through visual storytelling. For example, you might have a couple of shots showing a rich person’s luxurious lifestyle before cutting to scenes from the rougher lives of the poor. You might also have two characters use subtle body language and movements to create contrast. For example, in movies where a smart and calculating character is paired with a more impulsive and impatient character, the calculating character might be characterized by small, inquisitive movements, while the more impulsive character might move around much more.
Juxtaposition Examples in Art and Photography
Art and photography often juxtapose different colors and shapes to create more engaging paintings or pictures. For art pieces, painters commonly include symbolism in their works to help convey ideas and juxtapose these symbols with other things in the painting.
Juxtaposition Examples in Everyday Life and Speech
Juxtaposition in everyday life is harder to implement naturally than it is it is in artistic pieces. However, you can still use it by making simple comparisons either while telling a story or deciding between two options. For example, you might be complaining about food in a restaurant by comparing its quality with similar restaurant items. You can also often see juxtaposition in advertisements, often to create humor or leave an impression on the audience.
20 Striking Juxtaposition Examples with Meanings
Literary Juxtaposition Examples
| Juxtaposition | Meaning |
| “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” (A Tale of Two Cities) | Shows the difference between London and France during French Revolution time |
| The juxtaposition between Calypso/Circe islands and Ithaca.(The Odyssey) | Shows the possibility of leaving the real world behind to engage in hedonism |
| Tortoise and the hare being contrasted to each other in the fable | Shows how different the philosophy between the two is |
| “That is hot ice, and wondrous strange snow!”(Midsummer Nights Dream) | Shows the conflicting contrast between heat and snow. |
You fit into me contrasts intimacy with pain | How romantic relationships can turn on you violently |
| “All is fair in love and war.”(Frank Fairleigh) | It is contrasting the process of falling in love |
Visual Juxtaposition Examples
| Juxtaposition |
| Black and white imagery in photography with only one thing in color. |
| Bright colors contrasted with darker colors. |
| Smooth shapes with rougher coloring |
| Industrial imagery with more natural imagery |
| Luxurious settings with more rough and ragged settings |
| Shadows and bright spaces |
| Death related imagery and flowers or other symbols to represent life |
Situational Juxtaposition Examples
| Juxtaposition |
| Rich vs. poor |
| chaos vs. calm |
| success vs. failure |
| Nature vs. Technology |
| Peace vs. Conflict |
| Love vs. Hate |
| Acceptance vs. bigotry |
How to Practice Using Juxtaposition Examples Correctly
Reading literature is a great way for you to improve your own use of juxtaposition. Other artistic works give you a better frame of reference, and they help you understand how juxtaposition works in different media. Movies and tv shows are perfect for this, as their visuals make juxtapositions more explicit. You can also practice juxtaposition by writing short stories, or even individual passages that feature deliberate contrasts. When you’re writing, try to emphasize opposing ideas. Creating specific characters as representations of those ideas is a common and powerful way to do this. In pictures and paintings, you can juxtapose different colors or subjects.
Situations Where You Would Use Juxtaposition Examples
Appropriate Uses of Juxtaposition
- Creative writing, poetry, and storytelling: Juxtaposition can be used to great effect in these mediums, to create conflict or enhance the themes in a story.
- Film, photography, and art compositions: Including juxtaposition in visual media helps enhance your imagery and introduces more layered meanings.
- Marketing and advertising for impact: Advertisements use juxtaposition frequently to grab their audiences’ attention.
Inappropriate Uses of Juxtaposition
- Academic or scientific writing: Academic and scientific writing needs to be as clear as possible, and conveying meaning through juxtaposition might confuse audiences and overcomplicate the point your paper is trying to make.
- Professional reports: Similarly to academic writing, professional reports need to be as clear as possible, so juxtaposition may not be the most appropriate way to write. It can make your messaging too vague and less effective.
Conclusion
To recap, juxtaposition is when two things are deliberately contrasted to support a theme or message in a piece of art. Juxtaposition is an important way to make your work interesting and engaging to your audience, enhancing themes or characters, and even just making art more attractive.
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