When two words are placed near one another, creating a comparison or contrast effect.
Juxtaposition is when two words, ideas, or images — sometimes completely opposite — are placed near one another, creating a comparison or contrast effect. By placing opposing concepts side by side, the technique highlights the distinct qualities and significance of each element.
The power of juxtaposition lies in its ability to emphasize differences. When readers encounter opposing concepts in close proximity, they naturally notice the contrasts more vividly. This is why writers frequently use it when depicting good versus evil — placing them together amplifies their differences.
Charles Dickens opens A Tale of Two Cities with: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." This opening sentence demonstrates juxtaposition through repeated opposing pairs that establish the novel's central tension.
You can identify juxtaposition by looking for contrasting ideas placed closely together in a text.
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