Juxtaposition
Literary term · say it juk-stuh-puh-ZIH-shun
Juxtaposition is the placing of two people, scenes, images, or ideas close together so readers notice a contrast or connection. Their closeness can make a difference sharper, reveal a likeness, or raise a question without stating it directly.
Where juxtaposition shows up
Characters side by side
Characters placed together can reveal different values or ways of behaving. Their reactions to the same situation make the comparison especially clear.
At the Meryton assembly in Pride and Prejudice, Bingley dances readily and enjoys the company, while Darcy keeps apart and declines to dance with Elizabeth. Their behaviour highlights Bingley's friendliness and Darcy's reserve.
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Contrasting places
Nearby descriptions of different places can bring social divisions or different ways of life into focus.
In The Great Gatsby, the description of the valley of ashes follows the account of the wealthy communities of East Egg and West Egg. The dusty industrial landscape contrasts with the grand houses and lawns.
In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Opposing ideas
Opposing ideas can sit close together in a sentence or passage. The reader is invited to hold both in mind rather than settle on just one.
The opening of A Tale of Two Cities pairs prosperity with hardship and hope with despair. These opposites present the period as a time of sharply conflicting experiences.
In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
How to spot juxtaposition
- Look for people, places, images, or ideas placed close together.
- Notice the differences or similarities that their closeness brings out.
- Ask what the comparison helps reveal about the story.
What is the difference between juxtaposition and antithesis?
Juxtaposition is any close placement that invites comparison, while antithesis presents opposing ideas in a balanced structure. A passage can juxtapose two settings without using matching sentences. Antithesis usually makes its opposition clear through the wording and shape of a sentence.
Does juxtaposition always show a contrast?
No, juxtaposition can highlight similarities as well as differences. Two apparently unrelated scenes might sit together and reveal the same fear, desire, or pattern of behaviour. The key is that their closeness encourages readers to see a connection.
Related terms
Books where you can see Juxtaposition
200,000+ classics to read and hear, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
