antithesis vs juxtaposition examples

Antithesis Definition

What is antithesis? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Antithesis is a figure of speech that juxtaposes two contrasting or opposing ideas, usually within parallel grammatical structures. For instance, Neil Armstrong used antithesis when he stepped onto the surface of the moon in 1969 and said, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." This is an example of antithesis because the two halves of the sentence mirror each other in grammatical structure, while together the two halves emphasize the incredible contrast between the individual experience of taking an ordinary step, and the extraordinary progress that Armstrong's step symbolized for the human race.

Some additional key details about antithesis:

• Antithesis works best when it is used in conjunction with parallelism (successive phrases that use the same grammatical structure), since the repetition of structure makes the contrast of the content of the phrases as clear as possible.
• The word "antithesis" has another meaning, which is to describe something as being the opposite of another thing. For example, "love is the antithesis of selfishness." This guide focuses only on antithesis as a literary device.
• The word antithesis has its origins in the Greek word antithenai , meaning "to oppose." The plural of antithesis is antitheses.

How to Pronounce Antithesis

Here's how to pronounce antithesis: an- tith -uh-sis

Antithesis and Parallelism

Often, but not always, antithesis works in tandem with parallelism . In parallelism, two components of a sentence (or pair of sentences) mirror one another by repeating grammatical elements. The following is a good example of both antithesis and parallelism:

To err is human , to forgive divine .

The two clauses of the sentence are parallel because each starts off with an infinitive verb and ends with an adjective ("human" and "divine"). The mirroring of these elements then works to emphasize the contrast in their content, particularly in the very strong opposite contrast between "human" and "divine."

Antithesis Without Parallelism

In most cases, antitheses involve parallel elements of the sentence—whether a pair of nouns, verbs, adjectives, or other grammar elements. However, it is also possible to have antithesis without such clear cut parallelism. In the Temptations Song "My Girl," the singer uses antithesis when he says:

"When it's cold outside , I've got the month of May ."

Here the sentence is clearly cut into two clauses on either side of the comma, and the contrasting elements are clear enough. However, strictly speaking there isn't true parallelism here because "cold outside" and "month of May" are different types of grammatical structures (an adjective phrase and a noun phrase, respectively).

Antithesis vs. Related Terms

Three literary terms that are often mistakenly used in the place of antithesis are juxtaposition , oxymoron , and foil . Each of these three terms does have to do with establishing a relationship of difference between two ideas or characters in a text, but beyond that there are significant differences between them.

Antithesis vs. Juxtaposition

In juxtaposition , two things or ideas are placed next to one another to draw attention to their differences or similarities. In juxtaposition, the pairing of two ideas is therefore not necessarily done to create a relationship of opposition or contradiction between them, as is the case with antithesis. So, while antithesis could be a type of juxtaposition, juxtaposition is not always antithesis.

Antithesis vs. Oxymoron

In an oxymoron , two seemingly contradictory words are placed together because their unlikely combination reveals a deeper truth. Some examples of oxymorons include:

• Sweet sorrow
• Cruel kindness
• Living dead

The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions . While the words involved in oxymorons seem like they don't belong together (until you give them deeper thought), the words or ideas of antithesis do feel like they belong together even as they contrast as opposites. Further, antitheses seldom function by placing the two words or ideas right next to one another, so antitheses are usually made up of more than two words (as in, "I'd rather be among the living than among the dead").

Antithesis vs. Foil

Some Internet sources use "antithesis" to describe an author's decision to create two characters in a story that are direct opposites of one another—for instance, the protagonist and antagonist . But the correct term for this kind of opposition is a foil : a person or thing in a work of literature that contrasts with another thing in order to call attention to its qualities. While the sentence "the hare was fast, and the tortoise was slow" is an example of antithesis, if we step back and look at the story as a whole, the better term to describe the relationship between the characters of the tortoise and the hare is "foil," as in, "The character of the hare is a foil of the tortoise."

Antithesis Examples

Antithesis in literature.

Below are examples of antithesis from some of English literature's most acclaimed writers — and a comic book!

Antithesis in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

In the famous opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities , Dickens sets out a flowing list of antitheses punctuated by the repetition of the word "it was" at the beginning of each clause (which is itself an example of the figure of speech anaphora ). By building up this list of contrasts, Dickens sets the scene of the French Revolution that will serve as the setting of his tale by emphasizing the division and confusion of the era. The overwhelming accumulation of antitheses is also purposefully overdone; Dickens is using hyperbole to make fun of the "noisiest authorities" of the day and their exaggerated claims. The passage contains many examples of antithesis, each consisting of one pair of contrasting ideas that we've highlighted to make the structure clearer.

It was the best of times , it was the worst of times , it was the age of wisdom , it was the age of foolishness , it was the epoch of belief , it was the epoch of incredulity , it was the season of Light , it was the season of Darkness , it was the spring of hope , it was the winter of despair , we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven , we were all going direct the other way —in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Antithesis in John Milton's Paradise Lost

In this verse from Paradise Lost , Milton's anti-hero , Satan, claims he's happier as the king of Hell than he could ever have been as a servant in Heaven. He justifies his rebellion against God with this pithy phrase, and the antithesis drives home the double contrast between Hell and Heaven, and between ruling and serving.

Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.

Antithesis in William Shakespeare's Othello

As the plot of Othello nears its climax , the antagonist of the play, Iago, pauses for a moment to acknowledge the significance of what is about to happen. Iago uses antithesis to contrast the two opposite potential outcomes of his villainous plot: either events will transpire in Iago's favor and he will come out on top, or his treachery will be discovered, ruining him.

This is the night That either makes me or fordoes me quite .

In this passage, the simple word "either" functions as a cue for the reader to expect some form of parallelism, because the "either" signals that a contrast between two things is coming.

Antithesis in William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Shakespeare's plays are full of antithesis, and so is Hamlet's most well-known "To be or not to be" soliloquy . This excerpt of the soliloquy is a good example of an antithesis that is not limited to a single word or short phrase. The first instance of antithesis here, where Hamlet announces the guiding question (" to be or not to be ") is followed by an elaboration of each idea ("to be" and "not to be") into metaphors that then form their own antithesis. Both instances of antithesis hinge on an " or " that divides the two contrasting options.

To be or not to be , that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them ...

Antithesis in T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets"

In this excerpt from his poem "Four Quartets," T.S. Eliot uses antithesis to describe the cycle of life, which is continuously passing from beginning to end, from rise to fall, and from old to new.

In my beginning is my end . In succession Houses rise and fall , crumble, are extended, Are removed, destroyed, restored, or in their place Is an open field, or a factory, or a by-pass. Old stone to new building , old timber to new fires ...

Antithesis in Green Lantern's Oath

Comic book writers know the power of antithesis too! In this catchy oath, Green Lantern uses antithesis to emphasize that his mission to defeat evil will endure no matter the conditions.

In brightest day , in blackest night , No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might Beware my power—Green lantern's light!

While most instances of antithesis are built around an "or" that signals the contrast between the two parts of the sentence, the Green Lantern oath works a bit differently. It's built around an implied "and" (to be technical, that first line of the oath is an asyndeton that replaces the "and" with a comma), because members of the Green Lantern corps are expressing their willingness to fight evil in all places, even very opposite environments.

Antithesis in Speeches

Many well-known speeches contain examples of antithesis. Speakers use antithesis to drive home the stakes of what they are saying, sometimes by contrasting two distinct visions of the future.

Antithesis in Patrick Henry's Speech to the Second Virginia Convention, 1775

This speech by famous American patriot Patrick Henry includes one of the most memorable and oft-quoted phrases from the era of the American Revolution. Here, Henry uses antithesis to emphasize just how highly he prizes liberty, and how deadly serious he is about his fight to achieve it.

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take: but as for me, give me liberty or give me death .

Antithesis in Martin Luther King Jr.'s Oberlin Commencement Address

In this speech by one of America's most well-known orators, antithesis allows Martin Luther King Jr. to highlight the contrast between two visions of the future; in the first vision, humans rise above their differences to cooperate with one another, while in the other humanity is doomed by infighting and division.

We must all learn to live together as brothers —or we will all perish together as fools .

Antithesis in Songs

In songs, contrasting two opposite ideas using antithesis can heighten the dramatic tension of a difficult decision, or express the singer's intense emotion—but whatever the context, antithesis is a useful tool for songwriters mainly because opposites are always easy to remember, so lyrics that use antithesis tend to stick in the head.

Antithesis in "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash (1981)

In this song by The Clash, the speaker is caught at a crossroads between two choices, and antithesis serves as the perfect tool to express just how confused and conflicted he is. The rhetorical question —whether to stay or to go—presents two opposing options, and the contrast between his lover's mood from one day (when everything is "fine") to the next (when it's all "black") explains the difficulty of his choice.

One day it's fine and next it's black So if you want me off your back Well, come on and let me know Should I stay or should I go ? Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble If I stay it will be double ...

Antithesis in "My Girl" by the Temptations (1965)

In this song, the singer uses a pair of metaphors to describe the feeling of joy that his lover brings him. This joy is expressed through antithesis, since the singer uses the miserable weather of a cloudy, cold day as the setting for the sunshine-filled month of May that "his girl" makes him feel inside, emphasizing the power of his emotions by contrasting them with the bleak weather.

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside I've got the month of May Well I guess you'd say, What can make me feel this way? My girl, my girl, my girl Talkin' bout my girl.

Why Do Writers Use Antithesis?

Fundamentally, writers of all types use antithesis for its ability to create a clear contrast. This contrast can serve a number of purposes, as shown in the examples above. It can:

• Present a stark choice between two alternatives.
• Convey magnitude or range (i.e. "in brightest day, in darkest night" or "from the highest mountain, to the deepest valley").
• Express strong emotions.
• Create a relationship of opposition between two separate ideas.
• Accentuate the qualities and characteristics of one thing by placing it in opposition to another.

Whatever the case, antithesis almost always has the added benefit of making language more memorable to listeners and readers. The use of parallelism and other simple grammatical constructions like "either/or" help to establish opposition between concepts—and opposites have a way of sticking in the memory.

Other Helpful Antithesis Resources

• The Wikipedia page on Antithesis : A useful summary with associated examples, along with an extensive account of antithesis in the Gospel of Matthew.
• Sound bites from history : A list of examples of antithesis in famous political speeches from United States history — with audio clips!
• A blog post on antithesis : This quick rundown of antithesis focuses on a quote you may know from Muhammad Ali's philosophy of boxing: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

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Antithesis vs Juxtaposition: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to writing, knowing antithesis vs juxtaposition is really important. These are two tools that writers use to create contrast, but they do it in different ways. Let’s take a closer look at each of them to see how they help writers express their ideas and make their writing more interesting.

Table of Contents

What is Antithesis?

Antithesis is a literary technique that involves placing contrasting ideas, words, or phrases close together to highlight their differences. It’s like putting opposites side by side to make a point more strongly. For example, if someone writes, “To err is human, to forgive divine,” they’re using antithesis to contrast the human tendency to make mistakes with the divine quality of forgiveness. This technique helps writers emphasize contrasts and add depth to their writing.

Examples of Antithesis

• “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” This quote contrasts darkness with light and hate with love to emphasize the transformative power of positivity.
• “It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” This sentence contrasts wisdom with foolishness to depict the contrasting characteristics of a particular time period.
• “The pen is mightier than the sword.” This phrase contrasts the power of the written word with the power of physical force to highlight the influence of language and ideas.
• “All’s fair in love and war.” This statement contrasts the concepts of fairness and unfairness to suggest that in certain situations, anything goes.
• “United we stand, divided we fall.” This expression contrasts unity with division to underscore the importance of solidarity in achieving success or overcoming challenges.

Origins of Antithesis

The origins of antithesis can be traced back to ancient Greek rhetoric and literary devices. The term itself is derived from the Greek words “anti,” meaning “against,” and “thesis,” meaning “position” or “proposition.” In ancient Greek philosophy and oratory, antithesis was used as a rhetorical device to juxtapose contrasting ideas or statements for persuasive effect. This technique was employed by figures such as Aristotle and Cicero in their writings and speeches to emphasize arguments, provoke thought, and engage audiences. Over time, antithesis became a prominent feature in various forms of literature, including poetry, drama, and prose, where it continues to be utilized to create vivid contrasts and convey deeper meanings.

What is Juxtaposition?

Juxtaposition is a literary technique that involves placing two or more contrasting elements side by side to highlight their differences or create a vivid comparison. It’s like putting things together to emphasize their distinct qualities. For example, in a poem, juxtaposing images of light and darkness can enhance the reader’s understanding of the themes of hope and despair. This technique allows writers to create depth, complexity, and layers of meaning in their works by presenting contrasting ideas, images, or characters in close proximity.

Examples of Juxtaposition

• In a painting, a vibrant, colorful garden is juxtaposed with a dark, ominous sky, creating a stark contrast between beauty and foreboding.
• In a novel, a character who is wealthy and successful lives in a luxurious mansion, but is depicted as lonely and unhappy, juxtaposing material wealth with emotional emptiness.
• In a photograph, a delicate butterfly rests on a rough, weathered surface, juxtaposing fragility with strength.
• In a poem, images of bustling city life are juxtaposed with serene, untouched nature, highlighting the contrast between urban chaos and natural tranquility.
• In a poem, the tranquility of a peaceful lake at dawn is juxtaposed with the chaos of a bustling city at rush hour, illustrating the contrast between natural serenity and urban busyness.

Origins of Juxtaposition

The origins of juxtaposition can be traced back to ancient rhetorical and literary practices, where writers and speakers would strategically place contrasting elements side by side to enhance their message or argument. This technique was commonly employed in ancient Greek and Roman literature, as well as in classical rhetoric, where it was used to create vivid imagery, emphasize contrasts, and provoke thought. Over time, juxtaposition became a fundamental aspect of various literary genres, including poetry, prose, drama, and visual arts, where it continues to be utilized to convey complex ideas, evoke emotions, and engage audiences.

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Antithesis vs Juxtaposition: The Differences

Antithesis and juxtaposition, while both serving to highlight contrasts, diverge in their methods and intents. Antithesis, exemplified by phrases like “to be or not to be” or “love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing,” places opposing concepts or words in close proximity to underscore their differences and provoke thought. It serves as a rhetorical device to emphasize a point or argument through stark contrast. In contrast, juxtaposition involves the placement of contrasting elements side by side to illuminate their disparities or draw a comparison. For instance, juxtaposing images of wealth and poverty in a narrative reveals societal inequalities. While antithesis aims to accentuate differences for rhetorical impact, juxtaposition seeks to create visual or thematic contrasts to deepen understanding or evoke emotion. Understanding these distinctions equips writers with versatile tools to enrich their prose and engage readers effectively.

How To Use Antithesis and Juxtaposition In Sentences

• Identify contrasting concepts, ideas, or words that you want to emphasize in your sentence.
• Place these contrasting elements in close proximity to each other, typically within the same sentence or clause.
• Ensure that the contrast is clear and meaningful, helping to highlight the differences between the two elements.
• Use antithesis to make your writing more persuasive, engaging, or thought-provoking.

Example: “He is not only my boss but also my mentor.” Here, the contrast between “boss” and “mentor” emphasizes the multifaceted relationship between the two roles.

Juxtaposition

• Select two or more contrasting elements, such as images, ideas, or characters, that you want to juxtapose.
• Place these contrasting elements side by side in your sentence to create a vivid comparison or highlight their differences.
• Use juxtaposition to evoke strong imagery, convey thematic contrasts, or deepen the meaning of your writing.
• Ensure that the juxtaposed elements enhance each other and contribute to the overall message or theme of your sentence.

Example: “The bustling city streets contrast sharply with the peaceful countryside.” Here, the juxtaposition of urban chaos with rural tranquility creates a vivid contrast and emphasizes the differences between the two settings.

Combining Antithesis and Juxtaposition

• Identify contrasting elements: Begin by selecting two or more contrasting concepts, ideas, images, or characters that you want to highlight or compare.
• Create antithetical pairs: Use antithesis to juxtapose these contrasting elements by placing them in close proximity within your sentence or passage. This juxtaposition serves to emphasize the differences between the paired elements while also creating a vivid comparison.
• Ensure coherence and clarity: Make sure that the combined use of antithesis and juxtaposition enhances the overall coherence and clarity of your writing. The contrasts and comparisons should contribute to the deeper meaning or theme of your work without causing confusion or ambiguity.
• Experiment with structure and language: Explore different ways to structure your sentences or passages to effectively combine antithesis and juxtaposition. Experiment with language choices, such as contrasting vocabulary or imagery, to further enhance the impact of your writing.
• Revise and refine: After incorporating antithesis and juxtaposition into your writing, revise and refine your work to ensure that the combined effects are achieving the desired impact. Pay attention to the balance between the contrasting elements and the overall flow of your prose.

Example: “In the heart of the bustling city, amidst the chaos and cacophony of urban life, she found solace in the serene simplicity of a solitary flower blooming defiantly against the cold, gray concrete—a juxtaposition of fragility and resilience, of noise and silence, that captured the essence of her existence.”

In this example, antithesis and juxtaposition are seamlessly combined to contrast the bustling city with the serenity of nature, while also juxtaposing fragility with resilience and noise with silence. This creates a rich and evocative depiction that adds depth and complexity to the writing.

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Examples Of Antithesis and Juxtaposition Used In Sentences

Antithesis examples.

• “She was the epitome of grace, yet her words cut like a knife.”
• “His actions spoke volumes, but his silence screamed louder.”
• “In the darkness of night, she found the light of her soul.”
• “Their love was a battlefield, where passion clashed with reason.”
• “The company’s profits soared, while its reputation plummeted.”

Juxtaposition Examples

• “The delicate flower bloomed amidst the thorns, a symbol of resilience in adversity.”
• “The bustling city streets echoed with laughter, while the abandoned alleyways whispered tales of sorrow.”
• “The sun-kissed beach stood in stark contrast to the stormy sea, a juxtaposition of tranquility and turbulence.”
• “His wardrobe was a mishmash of vintage classics and modern trends, a juxtaposition of old and new.”
• “The painting depicted a serene landscape against a backdrop of industrial pollution, a stark juxtaposition of beauty and decay.”

Combined Examples

• “In the heart of the bustling city, where skyscrapers tower over crowded streets, lies a tranquil park, an oasis of calm amidst the urban chaos.”
• “Her laughter echoed through the empty halls, a stark contrast to the silence that enveloped the abandoned mansion.”
• “The old man’s wrinkled face told the story of a lifetime, where joy and sorrow mingled like colors on a canvas, creating a portrait of resilience and wisdom.”
• “In the depths of winter, when the world is cloaked in frost and snow, the flame of hope burns brightest, warming even the coldest hearts.”
• “The towering mountains loomed over the tranquil valley below, a majestic spectacle of nature’s power and serenity.”
• “His charming smile masked the pain in his eyes, a facade of happiness concealing inner turmoil.”
• “The vibrant city skyline faded into the horizon, a testament to both progress and the passage of time.”
• “Amidst the chaos of the carnival, the girl sat quietly on the bench, a beacon of serenity in a sea of excitement.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid when using Antithesis and Juxtaposition

When using antithesis and juxtaposition in writing, there are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure effectiveness:

• Overusing : Using antithesis and juxtaposition too frequently can make your writing feel forced or unnatural. It’s essential to use these techniques judiciously and only when they enhance the meaning or impact of your writing.
• Lack of Clarity : Failing to make the contrast clear can confuse readers. Ensure that the opposing elements in your antithesis or the contrasting elements in your juxtaposition are clearly presented and easily understood.
• Weak Contrast : Weak or insignificant contrasts diminish the effectiveness of antithesis and juxtaposition. Make sure the differences between the paired elements are substantial enough to create impact and provoke thought.
• Mismatched Pairings : Pairing elements that don’t naturally contrast or juxtapose can result in awkward or illogical sentences. Ensure that the elements you’re comparing or contrasting are appropriate and relevant to the context.
• Ignoring Context : Antithesis and juxtaposition should serve the broader context of your writing. Failing to consider the overall theme, tone, or purpose of your piece can lead to disjointed or irrelevant use of these techniques.
• Forced Symmetry : Trying to force symmetry or balance between the contrasting elements can feel contrived. Allow for natural asymmetry when employing antithesis and juxtaposition to maintain authenticity and impact.
• Neglecting Revision : Rushing through the revision process can result in missed opportunities to refine and improve your use of antithesis and juxtaposition. Take the time to review your writing carefully and make necessary adjustments for clarity and effectiveness.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can use antithesis and juxtaposition effectively to enhance your writing and captivate your audience.

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Tips for Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid common mistakes when using antithesis and juxtaposition, consider the following tips:

• Understand Their Purpose : Before incorporating antithesis or juxtaposition, ensure you understand their purpose in your writing. Use them to emphasize contrasts, deepen meaning, or evoke emotions effectively.
• Use Sparingly : Reserve antithesis and juxtaposition for moments where they can make the most impact. Overusing them can dilute their effectiveness and make your writing feel contrived.
• Focus on Clarity : Ensure that the contrast or comparison is clear and easily understandable to your readers. If the meaning is ambiguous, revise your sentence to provide clarity.
• Choose Strong Contrasts : Opt for contrasting elements that are significant and meaningful to your message or theme. Stronger contrasts result in more compelling and thought-provoking writing.
• Stay Relevant to Context : Ensure that the use of antithesis and juxtaposition aligns with the broader context of your writing, including theme, tone, and purpose. Make sure they serve to enhance rather than distract from your overall message.
• Seek Natural Pairings : Look for natural pairings of contrasting elements that fit organically within your writing. Avoid forcing contrasts that feel forced or out of place.
• Revise and Refine : Take the time to revise your writing and refine your use of antithesis and juxtaposition. Review your sentences for clarity, effectiveness, and relevance, and make adjustments as needed.
• Seek Feedback : Consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors to evaluate your use of antithesis and juxtaposition. Fresh perspectives can help identify areas for improvement and enhance the impact of your writing.

By following these tips, you can effectively utilize antithesis and juxtaposition to elevate your writing and engage your readers more effectively.

Where to Use Antithesis and Juxtaposition

Antithesis and juxtaposition can be used in various forms of writing to enhance clarity, emphasis, and engagement. Here are some contexts where you can effectively utilize these techniques:

• Literary Works : Antithesis and juxtaposition are commonly found in literature, including novels, short stories, and poetry. They can be used to create vivid imagery, convey themes, and develop characters.
• Speeches and Rhetorical Writing : In speeches, debates, or persuasive essays, antithesis and juxtaposition can help emphasize key points, engage the audience, and strengthen arguments.
• Advertising and Marketing : Antithesis and juxtaposition are frequently used in advertising to contrast products, highlight benefits, and create memorable slogans or taglines.
• Visual Arts and Design : In visual arts, such as paintings, photographs, and graphic design, juxtaposition can be used to create striking contrasts and convey complex messages or emotions.
• Film and Media : Antithesis and juxtaposition are prevalent in film, television, and other media forms. They can be used to create dramatic tension, contrast characters or settings, and convey thematic contrasts.
• Academic Writing : In academic essays, antithesis and juxtaposition can help illustrate contrasts, compare theories, and analyze opposing viewpoints.
• Creative Writing : Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or personal narratives, antithesis and juxtaposition can add depth, complexity, and interest to creative writing pieces.
• Social Commentary and Journalism : Antithesis and juxtaposition can be employed in journalistic articles or opinion pieces to highlight societal contrasts, critique issues, and provoke thought.

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Where Not to Use Antithesis and Juxtaposition

While antithesis and juxtaposition can be powerful literary devices, there are certain contexts where their use may not be appropriate or effective:

• Technical Writing : In technical or scientific writing where clarity and precision are paramount, the use of antithesis and juxtaposition may introduce unnecessary complexity or ambiguity.
• Formal Reports : In formal reports or business documents where a straightforward presentation of information is required, the use of stylistic devices like antithesis and juxtaposition may detract from the professionalism and clarity of the content.
• Casual Communication : In casual communication such as emails, text messages, or informal memos, the use of antithesis and juxtaposition may come across as overly formal or pretentious.
• Sensitive Topics : When discussing sensitive or serious topics such as tragedy, trauma, or grief, the use of antithesis and juxtaposition may appear insensitive or inappropriate.
• Historical or Factual Accounts : In historical or factual accounts where accuracy and objectivity are essential, the use of stylistic devices like antithesis and juxtaposition may be seen as editorializing or biasing the narrative.
• Technical Descriptions : In technical descriptions or instructions where clarity and precision are crucial, the use of antithesis and juxtaposition may confuse or distract readers from understanding essential information.
• Legal Writing : In legal documents or contracts where precision and clarity of language are critical, the use of stylistic devices like antithesis and juxtaposition may introduce ambiguity or interpretation issues.
• Medical or Scientific Papers : In medical or scientific papers where conveying complex information accurately is paramount, the use of antithesis and juxtaposition may detract from the clarity and precision required in conveying technical concepts.

A Final look at Antithesis vs Juxtaposition

In wrapping up, let’s take one last look at antithesis vs juxtaposition. These are both handy tools for writers. Antithesis makes things stand out by putting opposites close together, while juxtaposition shows differences by putting them side by side. Learning when to use them can really make your writing pop, adding depth and interest. So, remember, mastering these techniques can help make your writing more engaging and memorable.

Dictionary.com (ANTITHESIS Definition & Usage Examples) , Wikipedia (Antithesis) , Merriam-Webster (Juxtaposition Definition & Meaning) , Grammarly (What is Juxtaposition? Definition and Examples) and Wikipedia (juxtaposition – Wiktionary, the free dictionary) .

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Antithesis Vs Juxtaposition (Examples & Importance)

Juxtaposition and antithesis stand out as two literary devices writers employ to make impactful comparisons between contrasting concepts, ideas or imagery using language, structure and formatting approaches.

What is Antithesis?

Antithesis refers to the use of contrasting parallel structures representing absolute opposites of each other, often in grammatically-balanced clauses or phrases. The contrasts are positioned right next to each other for comparison. This literary device constructs balanced sentences to express differences between two things using parallel structure as a rhetorical strategy.

What is Juxtaposition?

Juxtaposition refers to placing two contrasting concepts, characters, objects or settings side-by-side to highlight their differences. By positioning the two elements next to each other, writers underscore key contrasts between them for rhetorical effect. Readers then notice the glaring inconsistencies.

Common types of juxtaposition involve contradictory ideas, opposing imagery, differences in characters and time periods. Writers leverage unexpected combinations to emphasize ironies.

Examples of Juxtaposition

• Old and Young
• Wealthy and Impoverished
• Light and Darkness
• Joy and Sorrow
• War and Peace
• Justice and Injustice
• Life and Death
• Past and Present
• Fiction and Fact
• Tall and Short

Antithesis Examples

• “When the rich wage war it’s the poor who die.” This antithesis contrasts concepts of wealth and poverty using parallel grammatical structure.
• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” The parallelism in the opening of A Tale of Two Cities sets up antithetical ideas about contrasting time periods.
• “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” This phrase antithetically balances human fallibility with godly forgiveness.
• “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” JFK’s famous line pairs contradictory statements using parallel structure.
• “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong set up spatial contrasts antithetically by opposing “small” and “giant” steps.
• “War does not determine who is right – only who is left.” This witty quote sets up an antithesis by contrasting “right” and “left” using a parallel structure.
• “A penny saved is a penny earned.” This proverb contrasts parallel verbs “saved” and “earned” to link contradictory ideas antithetically about wages and savings.
• “To live or not to live, that is the question.” This parody of Hamlet’s soliloquy poses an antithetical choice between life and death.
• “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child…” In Corinthians, Paul uses antithesis comparing contrasting ideas about maturity.
• “I can resist everything except temptation.” In this witty line, Oscar Wilde sets up a humorous antithesis playing on the idea of giving into vice.

Read also: What is antithesis? Examples in literature

Examples of Antithesis in literature

“romeo and juliet” by shakespeare.

“O brawling love! O loving hate! O any thing, of nothing first create!”

This antithesis features extensive use of parallel grammatical structure contrasting contradictory ideas – “brawling love” and “loving hate” pose opposites using syntactic pairs. The second line also sets up antithetical relationships between “anything” and “nothing” as well as “first” and “create” through verb inversion. Shakespeare underscores the tensions between extremes.

“A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”

The opening lines repeatedly contrast opposing concepts in parallel formation – “best” vs “worst”, “wisdom” vs “foolishness”. The syntactic symmetry draws attention to comparative nuances between polarized times periods to highlight social tensions.

JFK’s Inaugural Address

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Kennedy sets up opposites using parallel structure. He contrasts “ask not what your country can do for you” with “ask what you can do for your country.” This frames conflicting ideas about self-interest versus duty to serve. The antithesis spotlights the reversed relationship. It makes the listener think more deeply about their responsibility to country rather than personal gains. This highlights patriotic values. The syntactic symmetry draws attention to the comparison between clashing concepts.

Examples of Juxtaposition in literature

“the great gatsby” by f. scott fitzgerald.

“The only completely stationary object in the room was an enormous couch on which two young women were buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon. They were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house.”

The passage juxtaposes stillness and motion. It contrasts the stationary couch with the moving women’s dresses. The couch is solid, enormous, anchored. But the dresses softly flutter. This pairing of opposite imagery underscores differences. It highlights comparative qualities between stability and flightiness. The unexpected combination engages readers. It makes them notice ironies. This provokes deeper reflection on impermanence versus permanence. The crisp imagery lets readers feel both weight and weightlessness simultaneously through contrast.

“Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut

“The Americans and the Germans had fought the same war. The generals were only interested in victory. The people were only interested in getting home again.”

Here, the writer juxtaposes the interests of the generals and the common people. The generals are focused on “victory”, while the common people want to “get home again”. This juxtaposition emphasizes the disconnect between the priorities of the powerful people and the desires of the citizens caught up in the war.

“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy

“Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current, waiting for a fly. There were always trout in the streams. The brown and the yellow and the black. A family would have only to go to the nearest stream and fish, and they did. But the trout went out, the water went out, all of it went out, and they did not come back.”

It contrasts past and present. First, lively description of trout filled streams. Fish standing, waiting, always there before. Then, stark change occurs. Short sentence: “But the trout went out.” The water also gone. Nothing left. All that life and abundance now disappeared, not returned. This fuses discordant imagery of vibrance and bleakness, abundance and utter loss, side by side. Unexpected switch highlights shocking environmental destruction. Makes readers reflect on damages industry can bring. Contrast underscores the fragility of nature’s balance when man intervenes ignorantly. Brief passage carries weighty message through crisp juxtaposition.

Importance of Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is an important literary device because:

• Highlighting unlikely contrasts side-by-side accentuates ironies more impactfully.
• Its unexpected combinations engage readers creatively.
• Juxtapositions can reveal deeper underlying truths.
• It adds introspection by comparing contradictory elements.

Importance of Antithesis

• Contrasting perfectly balanced clauses creates eloquent rhetorical effect.
• Parallel grammatical symmetry draws attention to the equivalency of opposites.
• It allows nuanced comparison between polarized ideas.
• Antithesis memorably articulates complex tensions.

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of antithesis.

Antithesis is the use of contrasting concepts, words, or sentences within parallel grammatical structures. This combination of a balanced structure with opposite ideas serves to highlight the contrast between them. For example, the following famous Muhammad Ali quote is an example of antithesis: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” This is an antithesis example because there is the contrast between the animals and their actions (the peaceful floating butterfly versus the aggressive stinging bee) combined with the parallel grammatical structure of similes indicated by “like a.” Ali is indicating the contrasting skills necessary to be a good boxer.

Difference Between Antithesis and Juxtaposition

Antithesis is very similar to juxtaposition , as juxtaposition also sets two different things close to each other to emphasize the difference between them. However, juxtaposition does not necessarily deal with completely opposite ideas—sometimes the juxtaposition may be between two similar things so that the reader will notice the subtle differences. Juxtaposition also does not necessitate a parallel grammatical structure. The definition of antithesis requires this balanced grammatical structure.

Common Examples of Antithesis

The use of antithesis is very popular in speeches and common idioms, as the inherent contrasts often make antithesis quite memorable. Here are some examples of antithesis from famous speeches:

• “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” –John F. Kennedy Jr.
• “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” –Barack Obama
• “Decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.” –Winston Churchill
• “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” –Abraham Lincoln

Significance of Antithesis in Literature

Antithesis can be a helpful tool for the author both to show a character’s mindset and to set up an argument . If the antithesis is something that the character is thinking, the audience can better understand the full scope of that character’s thoughts. While antithesis is not the most ubiquitous of literary devices , some authors use antithesis quite extensively, such as William Shakespeare. Many of his sonnets and plays include examples of antithesis.

Examples of Antithesis in Literature

HAMLET: To be, or not to be, that is the question— Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune, Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them?

( Hamlet by William Shakespeare)

Arguably the most famous six words in all of Shakespeare’s work are an example of antithesis. Hamlet considers the important question of “to be, or not to be.” In this line, he is considering the very nature of existence itself. Though the line is quite simple in form it contrasts these very important opposite states. Hamlet sets up his soliloquy with this antithesis and continues with others, including the contrast between suffering whatever fortune has to offer or opposing his troubles. This is a good example of Shakespeare using antithesis to present to the audience or readers Hamlet’s inner life and the range of his thinking.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…

( A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)

The opening paragraph of Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities employs many different literary devices all at once. There are many examples of antithesis back-to-back, starting with the first contrast between “the best of times” and “the worst of times.” Each pair of contrasting opposites uses a parallel structure to emphasize their differences. Dickens uses these antithetical pairs to show what a tumultuous time it was during the setting of his book. In this case, the use of antithesis is a rhetorical device that foreshadows the conflicts that will be central to the novel.

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.

( Catch-22 by Joseph Heller)

In Joseph Heller’s classic anti-war novel Catch-22 , Heller uses a specific type of humor in which antithetical statements show the true absurdity of war. This very famous quote explains the concept of the “Catch-22,” which became a popular idiomatic expression because of the book. In fact, this example is not so much an antithetical statement but instead an antithetical situation. That is to say, the two possible outcomes for Orr are opposite: either he’s deemed crazy and would thus not be forced to fly any more combat missions, or he’s sane and then would indeed have to fly them. However, the one situation negates the possibility of the other, as only a sane man would be clear-headed enough to ask not to fly more missions.

This case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.

( To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird , Atticus Finch is a lawyer representing Tom Robinson. Atticus presents the above statement to the jury, setting up an antithesis. He asserts that the case is not difficult and yet requires the jury to be absolutely sure of their decision. Atticus believes the case to have a very obvious conclusion, and hopes that the jury will agree with him, but he is also aware of the societal tensions at work that will complicate the case.

Test Your Knowledge of Antithesis

1. What is the correct antithesis definition? A. Using two very similar concepts and showing their subtle differences. B. Setting up a contrast between two opposite ideas or phrases in a balanced grammatical structure. C. Using words to convey an opposite meaning to their literal sense.

2. What is the difference between antithesis and juxtaposition? A. They are exactly the same device. B. They are completely different literary devices. C. Antithesis parallels opposite concepts, while juxtaposition sets up a comparison and contrast between two concepts that can be either similar or different.

3. Which of the following quotes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth contains an example of antithesis? A. 

WITCHES: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.

MACBETH: Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?

WITCHES: Something wicked this way comes.

4. Which of the following quotes from Heller’s Catch-22 contains an example of antithesis? A. There are now fifty or sixty countries fighting in this war. Surely so many counties can’t all be worth dying for. B. He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt, and his only mission each time he went up was to come down alive. C. You’re inches away from death every time you go on a mission. How much older can you be at your age?

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• How to Use Antithesis

I. What is an Antithesis?

“Antithesis” literally means “opposite” – it is usually the opposite of a statement, concept, or idea. In literary analysis, an antithesis is a pair of statements or images in which the one reverses the other. The pair is written with similar grammatical structures to show more contrast. Antithesis (pronounced an-TITH-eh-sis) is used to emphasize a concept, idea, or conclusion.

II. Examples of Antithesis

That’s one small step for a man – one giant leap for mankind .  (Neil Armstrong, 1969)

In this example, Armstrong is referring to man walking on the moon. Although taking a step is an ordinary activity for most people, taking a step on the moon, in outer space, is a major achievement for all humanity.

To err is human ; to forgive , divine . (Alexander Pope)

This example is used to point out that humans possess both worldly and godly qualities; they can all make mistakes, but they also have the power to free others from blame.

The world will little note , nor long remember , what we say here, but it can never forget what they did  (Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address )

In his speech, Lincoln points out that the details of that moment may not be memorable, but the actions would make history, and therefore, never entirely forgotten.

Antithesis can be a little tricky to see at first. To start, notice how each of these examples is separated into two parts . The parts are separated either by a dash, a semicolon, or the word “but.” Antithesis always has this multi-part structure (usually there are two parts, but sometimes it can be more, as we’ll see in later examples). The parts are not always as obvious as they are in these examples, but they will always be there.

Next, notice how the second part of each example contains terms that reverse or invert terms in the first part: small step vs. giant leap; human vs. divine; we say vs. they do. In each of the examples, there are several pairs of contrasted terms between the first part and the second, which is quite common in antithesis.

Finally, notice that each of the examples contains some parallel structures and ideas in addition to the opposites. This is key! The two parts are not simply contradictory statements. They are a matched pair that have many grammatical structures or concepts in common; in the details, however, they are opposites.

For example, look at the parallel grammar of Example 1: the word “one,” followed by an adjective, a noun, and then the word “for.” This accentuates the opposites by setting them against a backdrop of sameness – in other words, two very different ideas are being expressed with very, very similar grammatical structures.

To recap: antithesis has three things:

• Two or more parts
• Reversed or inverted ideas
• (usually) parallel grammatical structure

III. The Importance of Verisimilitude

Antithesis is basically a complex form of juxtaposition . So its effects are fairly similar – by contrasting one thing against its opposite, a writer or speaker can emphasize the key attributes of whatever they’re talking about. In the Neil Armstrong quote, for example, the tremendous significance of the first step on the moon is made more vivid by contrasting it with the smallness and ordinariness of the motion that brought it about.

Antithesis can also be used to express curious contradictions or paradoxes. Again, the Neil Armstrong quote is a good example: Armstrong is inviting his listeners to puzzle over the fact that a tiny, ordinary step – not so different from the millions of steps we take each day – can represent so massive a technological accomplishment as the moon landing.

Paradoxically, an antithesis can also be used to show how two seeming opposites might in fact be similar.

IV. Examples of Verisimilitude in Literature

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Forgive us this day our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us . (The Lord’s Prayer)

The antithesis is doing a lot of work here. First, it shows the parallel between committing an evil act and being the victim of one. On the surface, these are opposites, and this is part of the antithesis, but at the same time they are, in the end, the same act from different perspectives. This part of the antithesis is basically just an expression of the Golden Rule.

Second, the antithesis displays a parallel between the speaker (a human) and the one being spoken to (God). The prayer is a request for divine mercy, and at the same time a reminder that human beings should also be merciful.

All the joy the world contains has come through wanting happiness for others . All the misery the world contains has come through wanting pleasure for yourself . (Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva )

The antithesis here comes with some pretty intense parallel structure. Most of the words in each sentence are exactly the same as those in the other sentence. (“All the ___ the world contains has come through wanting ____ for ____.”) This close parallel structure makes the antithesis all the more striking, since the words that differ become much more visible.

Another interesting feature of this antithesis is that it makes “pleasure” and “happiness” seem like opposites, when most of us might think of them as more or less synonymous. The quote makes happiness seem noble and exalted, whereas pleasure is portrayed as selfish and worthless.

The proper function of man is to live , not to exist . I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong  (Jack London, Credo )

The opening antithesis here gets its punch from the fact that we think of living and existing as pretty similar terms. But for London, they are opposites. Living is about having vivid experiences, learning, and being bold; simply existing is a dull, pointless thing. These two apparently similar words are used in this antithesis to emphasize the importance of living as opposed to mere existing.

The second antithesis, on the other hand, is just the opposite – in this case, London is taking two words that seem somewhat opposed (waste and prolong), and telling us that they are in fact the same . Prolonging something is making it last; wasting something is letting it run out too soon. But, says London, when it comes to life, they are the same. If you try too hard to prolong your days (that is, if you’re so worried about dying that you never face your fears and live your life), then you will end up wasting them because you will never do anything worthwhile.

V. Examples of Verisimilitude in Pop Culture

Everybody doesn’t like something, but nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee. (Sara Lee pastry advertisement)

This classic ad uses antithesis to set up a deliberate grammatical error. This is a common technique in advertising, since people are more likely to remember a slogan that is grammatically incorrect. (Even if they only remember it because they found it irritating, it still sticks in their brain, which is all that an ad needs to do.) The antithesis helps make the meaning clear, and throws the grammatical error into sharper relief.

What men must know , a boy must learn . (The Lookouts)

Here’s another example of how parallel structure can turn into antithesis fairly easily. (The structure is noun-“must”-verb. ) The antithesis also expresses the basic narrative of The Lookouts , which is all about kids learning to fend for themselves and become full-fledged adults.

Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (the band “AFI” – album title)

The antithesis here is a juxtaposition of two different actions (opening and shutting) that are actually part of the same sort of behavior – the behavior of somebody who wants to understand the world rather than be the center of attention. It’s basically a restatement of the old adage that “those who speak the most often have the least to say.”

VI. Related Terms

• Juxtaposition

Antithesis is basically a form of juxtaposition . Juxtaposition, though, is a much broader device that encompasses any deliberate use of contrast or contradiction by an author. So, in addition to antithesis, it might include:

• The scene in “The Godfather” where a series of brutal murders is intercut with shots of a baptism, juxtaposing birth and death.
• “A Song of Ice and Fire” (George R. R. Martin book series)
• Heaven and Hell
• Mountains and the sea
• Dead or alive
• “In sickness and in health”

Antithesis performs a very similar function, but does so in a more complicated way by using full sentences (rather than single words or images) to express the two halves of the juxtaposition.

Here is an antithesis built around some of the common expressions from above

• “ Sheep go to Heaven ; goats go to Hell .”
• “Beethoven’s music is as mighty as the mountains and as timeless as the sea .”
• “In sickness he loved me; in health he abandoned ”

Notice how the antithesis builds an entire statement around the much simpler juxtaposition. And, crucially, notice that each of those statements exhibits parallel grammatical structure . In this way, both Juxtaposition and parallel structures can be used to transform a simple comparison, into antithesis.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

What is Antithesis? Definition, Usage, and Literary Examples

Antithesis definition.

Antithesis  (ann-TIH-thuh-suhs), put simply, means the absolute opposite of something. As a literary term, it refers to the juxtaposition of two opposing entities in parallel structure. Antithesis is an effective literary device because humans tend to define through contrast. Therefore, antithesis can help readers understand something by defining its opposite.

Antithesis  comes from the Latin word, via Greek, for “to place against.” It was first used in English in the 1520s as rhetorical term, but the concept goes back at least as far as Aristotle, who believed an argument could be strengthened by illustrating it with contrast.

Examples of Antithesis

• “Spicy food is heaven on the tongue but hell in the tummy.” The concepts of heaven and hell are opposites—the former being very pleasant and ideal, the latter being highly undesirable. This antithetical statement is using these concepts to convey that spicy food is delicious, but it can lead to an unfortunate digestive reaction.
• “I’m either an impressive vegetarian or a disappointing vegan.” On the scale between vegetarianism and the stricter veganism, the speaker’s current diet lies somewhere in the middle. So, while a vegetarian might applaud their efforts, a vegan might berate them for being so lax.
• “Psychiatrists write prescriptions, therapists prescribe writing.” This example includes a humorous inversion to explain the difference between psychiatrists and therapists. The former prescribes medicine to address mental issues on a biological level, while the latter might suggest a more psychologically focused approach, like journaling, as a way of easing mental stress.

Antithesis vs. Other Comparative Terms

There are several literary terms that, like antithesis, make comparisons between two things or concepts that are opposites or contrast in some way. Three such terms are  dichotomy ,  oxymoron , and foil.

Dichotomy is a division between two entities, whereas antithesis pits two opposing entities against each other. For example, the colors black and white are considered opposites, but they are not in opposition; they can’t be in conflict nor do they cancel each other out. The concepts of war and peace, on the other hand, are at odds and can’t be reconciled.

An oxymoron is a contradiction in terms, but unlike antithesis, these terms are working together. The basic oxymoron construction is a word + an antonymic modifier, and the two essentially function as a single unit. For example, calling something a “minor crisis” is an oxymoron because  minor  implies something insignificant, while  crisis  means it requires immediate attention. Based on this, an oxymoron can’t be a component of antithesis because the point of the latter is to pit two things against each other.

Where antithesis is a verbal or written opposition, a foil is a literary opposition, usually embodied by a character in a narrative. For example, Draco Malfoy can be considered Harry Potter’s foil in the  Harry Potter  series because where Harry is honorable and loyal, Draco is somewhat corrupt and unfaithful.

Antithesis Outside of Literature

A common theme in American popular music is the difference between the middle and lower classes. In “Men of Good Fortune” by Lou Reed, the singer describes all the things rich men can do that poor men cannot:

Men of good fortune

Often cause empires to fall

While men of poor beginnings

Often can’t do anything at all

Antithesis is common in political speeches, particularly when it comes to the underrepresented pushing for equitable policies. In Malcolm X’s famous “ Ballot or the Bullet ”  speech, he discusses how America was built by Black and indigenous people for white people’s benefit, saying, “We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock; the rock was landed on us.”

Examples of Antithesis in Literature

1. Charles Dickens,  A Tale of Two Cities

This classic tale of love and sacrifice features the French Revolution as its backdrop. In this tumultuous era, where the differences between the haves and the have-nots was at its starkest, Dickens illustrates the antithetical concepts that existed simultaneously:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way […]

2. William Shakespeare,  The Merchant of Venice

At the beginning of this romantic comedy, chatty lout Gratiano wants to understand why his friend Antonio is so down—and why anyone would ever be down at all:

And let my liver rather heat with wine

Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.

Gratiano is implying that he’d rather experience life through a chemically altered (and therefore unreliable) lens than face any ordeals, even though they would be truer to reality.

3. John Milton,  Paradise Lost

Milton’s epic poem explores many facets of the Christian bible and belief systems—including the concept of free will. When Lucifer, once one of God’s brightest angels, is cast into Hell, he says, “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.” This leads the reader to question whether anyone is truly free, though ultimately the Bible’s core argument is that willingly giving over control to God is what will leads to a happy life.

Further Resources on Antithesis

MasterClass’s  How to Use Antithesis in Your Writing  course is a concise guide on the mechanics of antithesis and when to use it.

This excerpt from  Hegel for Beginners  by Lloyd Spencer is a handy introduction to antithesis as a component of dialectics (a system for pursuing truth by way of logical argument).

Related Terms

• Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition

Definition of juxtaposition.

Juxtaposition is a literary device that implies comparison or contrast . Writers create juxtaposition by placing two entities side by side to create dramatic or ironic contrast. Juxtaposition is a form of implied comparison in that there is no overt comparison or inference on the part of the writer. This allows the reader to discern how the paired entities are similar or different. The effect of this literary device is a more profound understanding of contrast and creating a sense of fate or inevitability in the comparison.

For example, in the movie adaptation of The Wizard of Oz , filmmakers effectively juxtapose black and white film with bright technicolor to showcase the differences between Kansas and Oz. Though Oz is bright, colorful, and whimsical compared to the harsh gray of Kansas, Dorothy realizes that her home in Kansas is where she belongs and is happy. The juxtaposition of such contrasting places highlights the inevitable decision that Dorothy must make about returning to home and reality.

Common Examples of Juxtaposition

Writers use juxtaposition for rhetorical effect by placing two entities side by side in order to highlight their differences. These divergent elements can include people, ideas, things, places, behaviors, and characteristics. Here are some common examples of entities that are juxtaposed for artistic effect:

• light and darkness
• acceptance and isolation
• youth and experience
• wealth and poverty
• Beauty and ugliness
• Virtue and vice
• family and outsiders
• wisdom and foolishness
• familiar and strange
• passion and apathy
• good and evil
• urban and rural
• warmth and cold
• modern and antiquated
• Courage and cowardice
• male and female
• jealousy and trust
• civilization and nature
• free will and fate
• forgiveness and revenge

Famous Examples of Juxtaposition in Novels and Stories

Many novels and stories are well-known due to their juxtaposition of ideas, settings , characters, and themes . Here are some famous examples of juxtaposition in familiar novels and stories:

• East Egg and West Egg in  The Great Gatsby
• Individual thought and groupthink in 1984
• wealth and poverty in  The Prince and the Pauper
• land and sea in  moby dick
• human and animal instinct in Life of Pi
• Kindness and selfishness in  Cinderella
• Lennie (innocent) and George (jaded) in  Of Mice and Men
• Muggle and wizard worlds in  Harry Potter Series
• frontier and civilization in  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• freedom and confinement in  To Kill a Mockingbird

Difference Between Juxtaposition and Foil

It can be difficult to distinguish between juxtaposition and foil as literary devices . In fact, foil is a form of juxtaposition. Both of these devices are based o n implied comparisons created by the writer. However, foil is limited to the juxtaposition of characters.

As a literary device, foil specifically refers to contrasts between characters within the same narrative . A writer uses the juxtaposition of two characters as foils in order to emphasize their disparate qualities or character traits. For example, in John Steinbeck ’s East of Eden,  Cal and Aron are brothers and foils for each other. Their characters are juxtaposed to showcase the differences in their natures, as Cal is dark and secretive while Aron is delicate and beloved .

Juxtaposition, as a literary device, is not limited to characters. With juxtaposition, any entities such as ideas, places, and things, can be placed side by side to invite comparison and create an ironic effect.

Writing Juxtaposition

Writers can achieve a great deal when they juxtapose two elements. By putting two entities side by side, writers invite the reader to compare and contrast, considering the relationship between the elements with closer scrutiny. Juxtaposition can have the effect of absurdity or humor , or create a link between elements and images that appear unrelated until they are paired.

Writers can also reveal truths about a character through contrasting their traits with another, to achieve a foil. Juxtaposition can demonstrate that one idea or element is better when compared to another, and often readers gain a greater understanding of nuances of traits or concepts through juxtaposition.

It’s important for writers to understand that there must be a sense of logic and intention in juxtaposing two entities within a narrative or poem . As a literary technique, juxtaposition is more than simply putting one entity beside another and inviting the reader to make a comparison between them. There must be meaning in the juxtaposition so that some aspect of the literary work becomes more significant to a reader.

Juxtaposition and Antithesis

Although it seems that juxtaposition and antithesis are two similar terms, they are poles apart in meanings and sense. An antithesis is a specific term, whereas a juxtaposition is a general device. Antithesis puts two ideas or concepts that often contradict each other. Contrary to the antithesis, juxtaposed concepts or ideas or things are dissimilar and do not necessarily contradict each other. Even the name suggests that juxtaposition means putting side by side while antithesis means putting against each other.

Juxtaposition and Oxymoron

The difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is mostly obscure. A juxtaposition is placing dissimilar ideas or objects or things together for the sake of contrast and comparison. However, an oxymoron shows the placing of two contradictory ideas, depicting a single and strong sense of the words which, though, seems opposite yet is strongly associated with the other word in showing true meanings. For example, a pretty ugly boy is an oxymoron as it is just a phrase . However, if it is twisted to become a juxtaposition it would be; a pretty boy has come across and an ugly boy has passed along.

Use of Juxtaposition in Sentences

• What do you think is good for me is good for all the students?
• Most of the time Ricky ponders over his fate and often he ponders over his luck.
• Some people may get fed up soon while some may take years in becoming furious.
• One example does not mean all is bad and all is fair does not mean all is good.
• Some may come at night and some during the day but all will come what come may.

Examples of Juxtaposition in Literature

Juxtaposition, or the technique of comparison and contrast, appears in all forms of artistic expression. In literature, juxtaposition is an effective literary device in that readers gain greater meaning through measuring the tension of similarities and differences between two paired elements.

Here are some examples of juxtaposition in literature and how this literary device adds to the value of literary works:

Example 1:  Naming of Parts (Henry Reed)

This is the safety-catch, which is always released With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see Any of them using their finger.

In Reed’s poem, the poet juxtaposes the stages of breaking down and naming parts of a military rifle with naming parts of springtime. In this stanza , the safety-catch of a gun and its release is juxtaposed with fragile blossoms. This juxtaposition allows the reader to consider any similarities and contrasts between releasing a weapon’s safety-catch and fragile blossoms. The differences are obvious, so Reed may appear to have created an incongruous juxtaposition. However, there is a logic to the implied comparison in that releasing the safety-catch on a gun allows bullets to fly from it, just as blossoms might be released and fly from a tree.

The juxtaposition of the parts of a weapon and parts of springtime creates a dramatic effect of tension between death and destruction and rebirth and renewal. By simply pairing these two entities side by side in the poem, Reed allows the reader to compare and contrast man-made technology meant to end life and nature’s capability of restoring and beginning life.

Example 2:  The Joy Luck Club  (Amy Tan)

I opened up the Schumann book to the dark little piece I had played at the recital. It was on the left-hand page, “Pleading Child.” It looked more difficult than I remembered. I played a few bars, surprised at how easily the notes came back to me. And for the first time, or so it seemed, I noticed the piece on the right-hand side. It was called “Perfectly Contented.” I tried to play this one as well. It had a lighter melody but with the same flowing rhythm and turned out to be quite easy. “Pleading Child” was shorter but slower; “Perfectly Contented” was longer but faster. And after I had played them both a few times, I realized they were two halves of the same song.

In this chapter of Tan’s novel , a daughter is trying to understand her mother’s actions towards her as a child while simultaneously coming to terms with her mother’s absence in death. The mother and daughter juxtaposition creates a foil for the narrative in many ways, particularly in that the daughter considers herself to be American and the mother considers herself Chinese. In addition, the juxtaposition of the daughter’s older, more experienced self and the memory of her childhood self encourages the reader to consider more fully how time can change someone’s perspective and understanding of people and memories.

In this passage, the daughter opens the piano book to find two musical pieces juxtaposed. As she plays each piece, the daughter explores the similarities and differences between them. This implicitly invites the reader to compare and contrast these pieces, although not musically. Instead, through the juxtaposition of the song titles, their musical descriptions, and the daughter’s reactions to playing them, the reader is able to compare and contrast the daughter’s relationship with her mother and the mother’s relationship with the daughter. This is significant in allowing the reader to explore meaning and understanding in the story , just as the daughter’s character attempts to do as well.

Example 3:  Animal Farm (George Orwell)

Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now , what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.

In his allegorical tale of the Russian Revolution and the nation’s transformation from a czarist regime to a communist state, Orwell juxtaposes many elements and themes to showcase the significance and meaning of historical events and political theory. In this passage, the animals witness the juxtaposition of the pigs and men at the end of the story.

Rather than resulting in stark contrast, the juxtaposition of the pigs and men instead brings about an inability among the “outside” animals to distinguish between them. This has a dramatic effect in terms of the narrative since the pigs were the original leaders of the revolution on the farm and intended, at the beginning of the literary work, to differentiate themselves as much as possible from the men they believed to be their oppressors.

In addition to the ironic effect of this juxtaposition of pigs and men, the “creatures outside” are juxtaposed with the pigs and men inside. This additional layer of juxtaposition is effective to use the literary device because it invites the reader not to compare and contrast the men with the pigs, but instead to compare and contrast the men and pigs (oppressors) with the outside animals (the oppressed). By utilizing juxtaposition, Orwell effectively demonstrates the link between power and its consequences, for those who possess it and those who don’t.

Example 4: Othello by William Shakespeare

Let it be so. Goodnight to everyone—and, noble signor, If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.

Although there are several other examples, this not-so-well-known example shows that two ideas black and fair have been juxtaposed in these lines. They have just been put side by side to compare two different ideas which are contradictory but do not contradict. They just accentuate the contrast.

Example 5: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

When Tamoszius and his companions stop for a rest, as perforce they must, now and then, the dancers halt where they are and wait patiently. They never seem to tire; and there is no place for them to sit down if they did.

These lines from The Jungle show that Sinclair has put two ideas tiring and sitting side by side but he does not mean to state them for the sake of contradiction. They are just showing a contrast.

Example 6: A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift

There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expence than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast.

These lines from the essay of Jonathan Swift show how Swift has put two different ideas or things the orphan children and innocent babes side by side to compare and contrast two opposing ideas.

Synonyms of Juxtaposition

Some of the words that are closer in meanings to juxtaposition are comparison, contrast, proximity, colligation, closeness, contiguity, or nearness.

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What Is Juxtaposition? Definition and How to Use Opposite Concepts in Writing

by Fija Callaghan

Powerful contrasts are at the heart of good storytelling. You’ve probably seen juxtaposition used in your favorite novels, films, poems, and short stories, even if you didn’t recognize it. Using juxtaposition effectively can elevate a mediocre scene into something evocative and memorable.

We’ll help you get started by giving you an easy juxtaposition definition, illustrating the different ways juxtaposition can be used in a story, and providing some tips, tricks, and examples from literature.

What is juxtaposition?

Juxtaposition is a literary device in which two contrasting or seemingly contradictory elements are placed close together to draw attention to their differences. This might be something like a cozy cottage contrasted against a harsh wartorn landscape. Writers can use juxtaposition to enhance the mood or theme of a story.

This might be something like love and war, or light and darkness, contrasted together to create a broader thematic arc for your story. Any time you contrast two or more things side by side, you’re using juxtaposition.

Some examples of juxtaposition might include two characters with wildly different personalities—one grumpy and pessimistic, and the other cheerful and optimistic; or, juxtaposing a character against a setting—for instance, a grumpy and pessimistic character on a bright summer’s day.

In both cases, the comparison between two elements or contrasting concepts makes the attributes of each one feel more vivid.

This juxtaposition definition is all you need to get started with contrasting two things for rhetorical effect. Now let’s explore it in more detail!

Why do writers love juxtaposition?

Juxtaposition draws the reader’s attention to certain traits and highlights them even more. We see this all the time in our most beloved fairy tales. One classic example of juxtaposition is in Cinderella : our heroine is treated like dirt and dressed in rags before bippity-boppiting her way into the prince’s arms with a snazzy new ball gown and updo.

By putting these extreme settings side by side, the stark contrast of poverty and seclusion becomes even more devastating, and the grand ball seems even more decadent in comparison. The writer has emphasized these two extremes by showing them side by side.

Another example might be if you were writing a tragic scene for your story where a character is killed off. You’ll want your scene to be evocative enough that the reader will feel it in their gut, and a great way to do this is through juxtaposition. You can enhance the tragic by also enhancing the comedic or optimistic—for example, your doomed character wins a competition, or patches things up with an estranged loved one, or finally earns the thing they’ve always wanted.

By placing positive feelings in your story right before negative ones, each will seem more intense and emotional by comparison.

If you’re struggling to make a scene feel more powerful, ask yourself what sort of emotion you want the reader to be feeling in that moment. Then, see if you can find a way to incorporate the opposite feeling in juxtaposition.

Types of juxtaposition

When writers talk about juxtaposition as a literary device, they’re actually referring to a broad umbrella literary technique for a range of different comparative tools. Here are some specific literary devices that fall under the heading of juxtaposition.

1. Antithesis

Antithesis means using two opposite words, phrases, or ideas side by side . Antithesis is often used at the line level rather than at the broader story level. This makes it a beloved device in poetry—but it can be just as effective in fiction, too.

A famous example of antithesis is in Charles Dickens’ novel about the French revolution, A Tale of Two Cities . The novel begins: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” This famous opening line creates antithesis by juxtaposing the opposing ideas of best and worst, wisdom and foolishness.

2. Oxymoron

Another of juxtaposition’s literary terms, oxymoron is taking two contradictory words and using them together to communicate a deeper meaning . This might be something like “virtual reality,” “bittersweet,” or “deafening silence.”

Although these phrases all seem like they should be paradoxical, they are all true in their own way and communicate a truth to the reader. You can use oxymorons in poetry or in prose to add humor or poignancy (or sometimes both!).

3. Foil characters

A foil refers to a contrasting character , and is one of the most popular ways to use juxtaposition in a story. This technique uses opposite attributes to highlight differences between each person .

For example, Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby are foils of each other; one comes from old money and is greedy and arrogant, while the other is self-made and kind with an open heart. Putting a foil character and the main character side by side makes Tom’s prejudice and Gatsby’s open-mindedness clearer for the reader.

Sometimes foil characters will be the hero and the antagonist, but not always; they might be friends or lovers with very different but complementary personality traits. This is a cornerstone of romance novels.

Examples of juxtaposition in literature

Literary works by writers across the ages have used juxtaposition to enhance character, mood, and theme. Let’s look at some effective examples of juxtaposition throughout literature.

The Prince and the Pauper , by Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper is one of the most famous rags-to-riches stories of all time, launching a thousand imitations for all ages. There’s a reason this classic story archetype works so well: juxtaposition.

This story follows a pair of identical young boys: a prince who is heir to the throne of all England, and a ragtag urchin from an impoverished family. Twain uses the greatest possible class divide to make Prince Edward’s station seem even more entitled, and the young Tom’s lot in life seem even more depressing in comparison. The juxtaposition in this story draws attention to the broad inequality that was present in England at the time in which the story was set.

This is a good example of how you can juxtapose two concepts or elements to encourage readers to look at the world in another way.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream , by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare loved using juxtaposition in his writing, because it brings a poetry and musicality to his plays. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream , Theseus, the Duke of Athens, reads a description of a one-act play to be performed:

“A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus And his love Thisbe, very tragical mirth.” “Merry” and “tragical”? “Tedious” and “brief”? That is hot ice and wondrous strange snow! How shall we find the concord of this discord?

He asks, how can a scene be both tedious and brief? How can tragedy be funny? He uses contrasts in the form of some oxymoronic phrases—“hot ice and wondrous strange snow” to illustrate that these things should never go together.

In response, Philostrate, the Master of Revels, explains that though the play is short, it’s so badly written that it seems to go on forever; and though it’s tragic, the acting is so terrible that it becomes humorous.

“Chivalry,” by Neil Gaiman

This short story (which you can and should read for free online, here! ) uses juxtaposition brilliantly with two completely contrasting characters, as well as juxtaposition of formal and casual language, and juxtaposition of the grandiose and the mundane. Here’s an example of Galadd, knight of the round table, speaking with a little old pensioner:

“This,” said Galaad, “is the sword Balmung, forged by Wayland Smith in the dawn times. Its twin is Flamberge. Who wears it is unconquerable in war, and invincible in battle. Who wears it is incapable of a cowardly act or an ignoble one. Set in its pommel is the sardonynx Bircone, which protects its possessor from poison slipped into wine or ale, and from the treachery of friends.” Mrs. Whitaker peered at the sword. “It must be very sharp,” she said, after a while. “It can slice a falling hair in twain. Nay, it could slice a sunbeam,” said Galaad proudly. “Well, then, maybe you ought to put it away,” said Mrs. Whitaker. “Don’t you want it?” Galaad seemed disappointed. “No, thank you,” said Mrs. Whitaker. It occurred to her that her late husband, Henry, would have quite liked it. He would have hung it on the wall in his study next to the stuffed carp he had caught in Scotland, and pointed it out to visitors.

Gaiman uses the contrast between the grandiosity of the noble knight wielding an awesome sword, and the mundanity a nice old woman hanging it next to a stuffed carp, to great comedic effect.

Ways to use juxtaposition in your writing

As you can see from those juxtaposition examples, juxtaposition is one of the most popular literary devices in a writer’s toolbox. Now that we’ve given you a few examples to show you how it looks on the page, you can start using contrast in your own story!

Here are some different ways you can use juxtaposition to contrast characters, settings, ideas, or abstract concepts to create a more emotionally resonant story for your readers.

Create atomosphere by contrasting setting

Setting plays a big role in a story , and it’s one of the most effective places in which writers use juxtaposition. You can use juxtaposed places in order to enhance your theme, your protagonist’s character arc, or both.

For example, maybe part of your character’s journey involves leaving a big, metropolitan city behind and moving to a small town. There’s a great opportunity here to play with contrast—show the city being bright, loud, hectic, sharp, full of danger and abrasive ninety-degree angles. Then your small town can be full of soft edges, open fields, and slow living. By showing these two things juxtaposed side by side, the reader gets a broader sense of how they differ and how those differences affect the character’s journey.

You can also use contrasting settings on a smaller scale, such as one character’s dirty studio apartment and another’s opulent mansion, or on a larger scale, such as two opposing time periods of history.

Enhance drama with contrasting characters

Foil characters, as we saw above, are some of the best ways to use juxtaposition in your writing. Think about the aspects you want to highlight in your protagonist, and then see if there’s a way to highlight the opposite traits in another character.

This might be something external, such as physical stature, family dynamics, or living conditions; or it might be something internal, like objectives, personality traits, or coping mechanisms in times of hardship.

For example, you could create two foil characters in a university setting by having them approach their studies in different ways. One might be a meticulous planner who outlines everything in bullet points and color-coordinated pens, beginning the very day a project is assigned, while the other procrastinates until the last minute and then churns the project out in one go at three o’clock in the morning.

Through these juxtaposed foil characters you could explore themes like ambition, adaptability, and work-life balance.

Meta: Are you wondering what juxtaposition is or how to use it in your writing? Let’s look at the definition of juxtaposition, with helpful juxtaposition examples.

Engage readers with contrasting imagery

Using juxtaposition in small, scene-level moments can be a powerful way to engage readers with your story. If you want to heighten the emotional impact of a scene, think about ways you can use to compare different subjects or ideas.

For example, you could show a devastating car crash in front of a pristine high-rise office building—an image of meticulous order against an image of uncontrolled chaos. Or you could show a young, hopeful woman striking up a conversation with a disenchanted elderly one—an image of youth against an image of old age.

Think about what you want your reader to focus on in the scene, and look for ways to use juxtaposed images that highlight those traits.

Add subtlety with contrasting tone

Things like the weather, the atmosphere, or even word choices can give a distinctive tone to your scene. Juxtaposing these ideas is a great way to grab your reader’s attention.

One example might be a lucrative business deal being made against a backdrop of a ferocious storm. Although the characters might use positive, excited language, the juxtaposition between them and the weather gives a new facet to the scene and foreshadows what’s to come .

Or, you could have your villain commit dark and unfeeling crimes while singing a favorite romantic pop song—this is a popular trick you’ll often see in films. This use of juxtaposition makes the villain’s actions seem even colder and more inhumane.

Use juxtaposition to give dimension to your story

Juxtaposition is one of the great unsung heroes of literature. Using it effectively will elevate your story to the next level—every time. Now that you know how juxtaposition works in writing, you can use it to bring new dimension to your characters, enhance powerful themes, explore complex relationships, and bring your settings to life. Sometimes the smallest contrast can make all the difference.

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Juxtaposition occurs any time a writer places multiple ideas or images next to each other, without drawing a clear relationship between them. It is, in other words, the art of encouraging inference, because juxtaposition encourages the reader to draw their own conclusions about the relationships between different things.

Juxtaposition is a wildly underrated tool in the writer’s toolbox. If you want to write multifaceted stories or poems with depth and intrigue, this common literary device helps writers develop ideas, themes , and nuances in their work.

What is juxtaposition? How does it operate? This article studies the purpose of juxtaposition in literature, demonstrating how writers create engaging, interpretable texts. Along the way, we’ll examine literary juxtaposition examples across different genres of literature.

Let’s start by defining what this device is and isn’t. What is juxtaposition?

Juxtaposition Definition

Juxtaposition refers to the close placement of contrasting ideas, images, or entities, with the intent of highlighting the contrast between those entities. In other words, it is the implied comparison of distinct ideas, creating space for the reader to understand and interpret the text.

Juxtaposition Definition: Juxtaposition is an implied comparison of distinct ideas.

Two Examples of Juxtaposition in Literature

This is much easier demonstrated than defined. Consider the following excerpt from The Idiot by Elif Batuman:

“I kept thinking about the uneven quality of time—the way it was almost always so empty, and then with no warning came a few days that felt so dense and alive and real that it seemed indisputable that that was what life was, that its real nature had finally been revealed. But then time passed and unthinkably grew dead again, and it turned out that that fullness had been an aberration and might never come back.”

In this passage, the narrator, Selin, juxtaposes two types of time: periods when time moves swift and full, in which everything seems alive and meaningful, and periods in which time slogs on in its slow and steady emptiness.

Careful consideration of the text prompts the reader to ask more questions. Like: how can one meaningfully fill the “dead” time? How does one manage to feel alive when life itself doesn’t feel that way? Have people always felt like this, or is it a product of modern society? Is the real nature of our lives defined by the full periods, or the quiet, quotidian ones?

These sorts of questions and observations are essential to engaging with complex texts, and are brought about directly because of juxtaposition.

We will look at more juxtaposition examples later in this article, but here’s one more. The novel The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky follows Mr. Golyadkin, a minor civil servant whose position is being replaced by a man with the exact same name and physical image.

Golyadkin senior, the protagonist , is honest, trustworthy, and well-intentioned, but he comes off as awkward, pretentious, and vapid. Golyadkin junior, the double, is backstabbing and dishonorable, but because he is socially adept and unctuous, he is able to flatter his way, quickly, through high society.

It is easy to see the juxtaposition of these two people as black and white: Golyadkin senior is a good person, and Golyadkin junior is bad. But juxtaposition encourages us to think with nuance, rather than with binaries. There is something to be said about Golyadkin senior’s self-important innocence, and the way he tries to weaponize his self-pity, making it everyone else’s problem. Golyadkin junior, meanwhile, is certainly a self-interested backstabber, but he is also trying to survive in a bureaucratic game designed for unctuousness.

The juxtaposition of these two halves pushes the reader to question absolutes like “right and wrong,” as there is, indeed, no black and white answer to abstract problems like this.

Before we move on to some juxtaposition examples in literature, let’s briefly clarify what juxtaposition is not.

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Antithesis vs. Juxtaposition in Literature

Antithesis is a device in which two completely contradictory ideas are placed side by side. We actually use antithesis often in everyday speech, such as “get busy living or get busy dying,” or the phrase “go big or go home.” In these idioms, two opposing ideas directly abut one another.

Antithesis is, in essence, a form of juxtaposition. However, antithesis does not require nearly as much interpretation, since the two juxtaposed items are polar opposites. An easy distinction is that antithesis relies on concrete binaries, whereas juxtaposition is open to nuance.

Antithesis vs. juxtaposition: antithesis relies on concrete binaries, whereas juxtaposition is open to nuance.

Oxymoron Vs. Juxtaposition in Literature

An oxymoron is when two contradictory words are combined into a phrase. A Shakespearean example of this is a “wise fool”—on the surface, it seems impossible for a fool to be wise, but careful consideration of these words might spotlight the nuances in both words.

An oxymoron operates similarly to a juxtaposition, but is not always one. We can consider “wise fool” to be a juxtaposition, because the phrase encourages us to consider the limitations of each word. Can wisdom be foolish? Can a fool be wise?

However, an oxymoron like “unbiased opinion” would not be a juxtaposition. All opinions are biased; this phrase does not generate an implied comparison, because “unbiased” is modifying the noun “opinion” in a narrow, uninterpretable way.

So, an oxymoron is a juxtaposition when two contrasting words are placed side by side in a nuanced, thought-provoking way. Since many phrases, like “false truth” or “big little lies” do not generate new and interesting relationships between words, many oxymorons are not juxtapositions.

That said, an oxymoron can be turned into a juxtaposition, if the phrase is expanded into a thought-provoking comparison. For example, “big little lies” could be expanded into “the big lies are predictable; the little lies are lethal.”

Oxymoron vs. juxtaposition: an oxymoron is a self-contradictory phrase, whereas juxtaposition is a nuanced comparison of dissimilar ideas. Some oxymorons can double as juxtapositions.

Foil Vs. Juxtaposition in Literature

A foil is a character who serves to contrast another character. The foil character’s traits stand in contrast to another’s, highlighting both of their qualities.

A foil is a  type of juxtaposition in literature. Specifically, it is a juxtaposition of two characters, whose complexities are highlighted in one another’s presence.

Learn more about foil characters here:

What is a Foil Character? Exploring Contrast in Character Development

Incongruous Juxtaposition Definition

Lastly, let’s look at a special form of this device: incongruous juxtaposition in literature.

Also known as the juxtaposition of incongruous features, incongruous juxtaposition refers to the placement of two surprisingly different entities next to each other, often for humorous effect. The emphasis here is on surprising : incongruous juxtaposition should situate two or more ideas/images that really do not belong together .

Incongruous juxtaposition definition: the placement of two surprisingly different entities next to each other, often for humorous effect.

You will see this device employed most often in satire . For example, consider the Onion article “ Indoor Cat Wouldn’t Last A Day In The High-Octane World Of Street Racing. ” The title alone is an incongruous juxtaposition: when one thinks about an indoor cat, they will never associate that cat with high-octane street racing.

Literary Juxtaposition Examples

The following juxtaposition examples all come from published works of literature, most of which were written by contemporary authors.

Juxtaposition in Poetry

Excerpt of “shapechangers in winter” by margaret atwood.

Every cell in our bodies has renewed itself so many times since then, there’s not much left, my love, of the originals. We’re footprints becoming limestone, or think of it as coal becoming diamond. Less flexible, but more condensed; and no more scales or aliases, at least on the outside. Though we’ve accumulated, despite ourselves, other disguises: you as a rumpled elephant— hide suitcase with white fur, me as a bramble bush. Well, the hair was always difficult. Then there’s the eye problems: too close, too far, you’re a blur. I used to say I’d know you anywhere, but it’s getting harder.

Retrieved here.

Part of a much longer poem about aging and love, this excerpt juxtaposes youth and old age very cleverly through the line “less flexible, but more condensed.” Imagery like “footprints becoming limestone” or “coal becoming diamond” underscore this juxtaposition, offering two very different ways to understand aging: one is a fossil, the other is a piece of beautiful stone. The result is a multifaceted examination of old age: it certainly has its difficulties, like beginning to not recognize your lover. But, it also brings wisdom and experience, which lend themselves to a more meaningful life.

Excerpt from “in the event i become some unrecognizable beast” by Aurielle Marie

reader, it is so simple: i am a tender bird parading as this vulture.

i love things unto their very bone & yet have always held grief a fragile vein or deprived myself its honey.

Retrieved here. 

There are two interesting juxtapositions here: the tender bird & the vulture, and love & grief. Obviously, these juxtaposition examples are interrelated, and the implication is that the bird holds love while the vulture holds grief. But, since the vulture is a costume that the tender bird dons, we start to understand the speaker as someone who dresses up as a predator to avoid the grief of love, thus losing out on the “honey” of love itself.

Excerpt from “Mural” by Mahmoud Darwish (trans. John Berger & Rema Hammami)

I am the stranger from all I was given by my language And if I’ve given my affections to Arabic They have surrendered me to the feminine participle And the words when far are a land bordering a distant star And the words when near are an exile And writing is not enough for me to declare: I found my presence filling in absence and whenever I searched for myself I found others and whenever I searched for them I found only myself the stranger Am I a crowd of one?

Retrieved from Mural . 

This excerpt builds an interesting relationship between “words” and “lands” through the juxtaposition of two similes . Words “when far” are a land that’s lightyears away; when close, words are a land of “exile.” Much of Darwish’s poetry explores his experiences of having fled Palestine in his childhood; while one can certainly understand the speaker’s sense of alienation with this context, the writing can also be applied to a broader immigrant and diaspora experience, as forced displacement pushes people away from their homelands, their language, and often themselves.

Juxtaposition in Literature

Excerpt from “a love song” by andre dubus.

And [she’d] loved him with a passion whose deeper and quicker current through the years delighted her, gave at times a light to her eyes, a hue of rose to her cheeks; loved him, too, with the sudden and roiling passion of consolable wrath.

Retrieved from his collection Dancing After Hours .

This excerpt juxtaposes two different types of love: one of passionate delight, and one of roiling wrath. The implied comparison is that each contradictory form of love is “two sides of the same coin,” so to speak. With the inclusion of the oxymoron “consolable wrath,” this excerpt showcases the self-contradictory nature of love and its ability to manifest in many different forms.

Excerpt from “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift

The following quote is confusing without context. In brief, this is a satirical essay that suggests that the people of Ireland should start cooking their 1 year old children in order to stave off their famine. The essay includes the social, political, health, and economic benefits of such a proposal, but the point is to satirize the British empire for willfully starving Ireland.

There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expense than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast.

This excerpt juxtaposes “bastard children” with “innocent babes,” with the intent of furthering the author’s argument in favor of cooking children. “Bastard children” has a rather cynical connotation: it makes the children seem wretched and useless. This is highlighted by the phrase “innocent babes,” which has a wholly different connotation, sympathizing with the plight of starving children.

The purpose of juxtaposition here is to highlight the difference between the current world and the world that the author proposes. They are “bastard children” when they must be aborted; they are “innocent babes” when their births are expensive and shameful. Waiting a year to cook these children is the most elegant solution to this shame and expense. Don’t miss the irony here: either the children aren’t born, or they’re killed at one year of age, but because of the juxtaposition, you almost miss out on this ironic twist.

Excerpt from The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence

[He] went up to his room and lay staring out at the stars of the summer night, his whole being in a whirl. What was it all? There was a life so different from what he knew it. What was there outside his knowledge, how much? What was this that he had touched? What was he in this new influence? What did everything mean? Where was life, in that which he knew or all outside him?

The last line of this excerpt is a thought-provoking juxtaposition: does life exist inside what the protagonist knows, or is life everything the protagonist hasn’t experienced? The simple answer is, both. But, what this excerpt really wants us to do is consider the relationship between life and experience: are we truly alive when we spend our days surrounded by experiences we’ve already had? Is there life without challenges, discomforts, personal growth?

The Purpose of Juxtaposition in Literature

Juxtaposition creates windows of interpretation in the text. By implying a relationship between two distinct ideas or images, the writer encourages the reader to form their own opinions and ask complex questions. The purpose of juxtaposition varies between genres—the way you employ this device in poetry will differ from how you employ it in prose and, more specifically, satire. Nonetheless, comparing and contrasting different ideas creates nuances in the text, and the effect of juxtaposition is that the writing becomes more thought-provoking and interpretable for the reader.

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What is Juxtaposition in Film? Definition and Examples

T wo is always better than one when it comes to Juxtaposition. Other than being the game-winning word in your next Scrabble match, what is juxtaposition? It is a frequently used term throughout the artistic world from photography to literature to film. Despite its frequent use, its meaning can be quite vague. We’ll define juxtaposition with examples in film so that you can use it throughout your next project.

Watch: What is Juxtaposition Explained

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Juxtaposition Definition

What does juxtaposition mean.

Artists throughout all mediums use juxtaposition. While different artists may use it in different ways depending on their form, it still serves the same function: to develop contrasts or comparisons between two or more things. Before we jump into some examples and uses, let's explore the juxtaposition definition.

JUXTAPOSITION DEFINITION

What is juxtaposition.

Juxtaposition is the act of placing two or more things side-by-side to compare or contrast. It is used throughout art and literature to create meaning from two or more things. The prefix “juxta” derives from the Latin root meaning “nearby, near, close.” Proximity is a great juxtaposition synonym to understand the concept. The proximity of one thing to another creates meaning.

Juxtaposition Examples Used in Film:

• Words or descriptions in a screenplay
• Actors and props in a frame
• Shots edited together in post-production

Juxtaposition in Film

Juxtaposition vs. other devices.

You might be a bit confused about how juxtaposition is different from other familiar literary devices. Let’s differentiate the tool from its close companions.

Juxtaposition vs. Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a pairing of two words with opposite meanings, like “same difference.” So it could be argued that an oxymoron is a juxtaposition of two unlike words.

Take, for example, the term “living dead.” Living and dead are opposites, but their juxtaposition creates a new, third meaning: zombies.

Night of the Living Dead

Of course, however, not all juxtaposition is an oxymoron. Any sort of visual juxtaposition, for instance, wouldn’t be categorized as an oxymoron.

Juxtaposition vs. Paradox

There’s less overlap between juxtaposition and paradox . A paradox is a self-contradictory statement or idea, like, “There is no absolute truth.” This phrase is paradoxical because the statement itself is an absolute truth… meaning it’s not actually true.

That statement is not a juxtaposition. But there are some paradoxes which could be seen as juxtapositions. Take the Yogi Berra paradoxical line, “Nobody goes to that restaurant anymore, it’s too crowded.” The two clauses within this sentence are being juxtaposed to create a paradox.

Yogi Berra, king of the paradox

Juxtaposition vs. antithesis.

The word antithesis refers to something which is the opposite of something else. Good is the antithesis of bad.

As a literary device, antithesis uses parallel sentence structure of opposite ideas to create a compelling statement. Think of something like this: “Teal was loved by everyone, but he loved no one.” This is antithesis in action, and also juxtaposition.

Antithesis, in other words, is using juxtaposition of two clauses to create dynamism. When Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” he was using a juxtaposition of opposite ideas to create antithesis.

Juxtaposition vs. Foil Characters

A foil character is a character which exposes qualities of another character. For example, Sherlock and Watson are foils of each other, constantly bringing intrinsic traits out of the other.

So what does this have to do with juxtaposition? Well, for a foil character to bring out qualities of another character, they usually need to be placed next to each other. Draco and Harry wouldn’t highlight each other’s traits if they weren’t forced into the same space over and over again.

What is juxtaposition in film?

Now that we have a solid juxtaposition definition, let’s talk about what how it works in film. The filmmaking process is often a series of creative decisions. One of the most frequent decisions being made is how to arrange elements of a film. The elements that filmmakers juxtapose can vary from words on a page, actors, and props on the screen, to shots in the editing room.

Let’s explore the different meanings of juxtaposition in film and how it can be used to tell a story.

Juxtaposing Words

Juxtaposition in screenwriting.

Screenwriters often use juxtaposition when describing something or someone. Writers can juxtapose one description of a character or a place before the next to create a sense of perception. A great example of this can be found in Alex Garland’s Ex Machina .

To analyze the screenplay of Ex Machina , we brought the scene into StudioBinder’s screenwriting software . Here we broke down Garland’s introduction of Ava, an artificial intelligent being, and pinpoint some juxtaposition examples.

Garland begins by describing Ava as a “robot girl” created from “a mixture of metal and plastic and carbon fiber.” He proceeds to describe her having breasts, hands, and delicate skin shortly after.

Juxtaposition example in Ex Machina  •  Read Full Scene  

By describing Ava first mechanically then anatomically, Garland is able to immediately bring up a core conflict of the film: Ava’s humanity. Take a look at how this is translated to the screen.

Ex Machina  •  Caleb First Meets Ava

Both Caleb’s and the audience’s first impression of Ava is an important point in Ex Machina . Garland is able to juxtapose his first mechanical description of Ava next to a human description of her to effectively highlight the underlying conflict of Ava’s humanity.

This scene is an example of the juxtaposition literary definition in which words are arranged. While everything in a film starts in the screenplay, juxtaposing can also be done in cinematography .

Juxtaposing Elements

Juxtaposition in cinematography.

What does juxtaposition mean in cinematography? Oftentimes, directors of photography use it to illustrate conflict . Cinematographers juxtapose elements such as subject, foreground, and background to create meaning that is not found in the dialogue. This juxtaposition can explain character dynamics, plot points, or settings solely using composition . Take a look at this shot from the film Drive .

Juxtaposition in Drive

Without even watching the scene unfold, there is a ton of information in this shot. DP Newton Thomas Sigel uses the quadrant system to frame Irene as the subject to the left with a photo of her family on a mirror in the background, and in the mirror is Driver. 

By juxtaposing all three elements, we can infer that Irene's family is what prevents her from having a deeper, intimate relationship with him. 

If Sigel chose not to juxtapose Irene next to the mirror or the photo, the shot would have substantially less conflict. Here’s another juxtaposition example from Drive .

Juxtaposition in film  •  Drive

Again, Sigel uses juxtaposition to create suspense . By framing the unaware party-goers on the edges of the frame and Driver peeking through the door, Sigel creates a feeling of suspense and imminent doom. Also take note how proximity, a juxtaposition synonym, factors in here.

Driver is shot right outside the door, the small distance is what creates meaning and suspense of what is to come.

Because Sigel uses the quadrant system in his cinematography , Drive contains a plethora of juxtaposition examples that utilize the entire frame. While cinematographers juxtapose within a shot, editors use the shots themselves to tell a story. Let’s understand how to define juxtaposition in post-production .

Juxtaposing Images

Juxtaposition in editing.

One of the most fundamental principles of editing is the use of juxtaposition. The job of the editor, simply put, is to assemble and arrange the shots to create a story. Similar to the juxtaposition literary definition, editors arrange to create contrast and comparison with shots rather than words.

To define juxtaposition within post-production, it is important to understand the principle known as the Kuleshov Effect . The Kuleshov Effect is a theory that suggests viewers derive more meaning from the juxtaposition of two sequential shots than from isolated single shots.

The figure below illustrates how the combination of images can produced meanings that wouldn't exist otherwise. The same image of an expressionless man takes different meanings when paired with different secondary images.

Juxtaposition in Editing

This Kuleshov Effect became the basis of nearly all film editing. Alfred Hitchcock even considered this one of his three theories of film editing . Let's let the Master of Suspense himself explain the concept.

Alfred Hitchcock  •  Juxtaposition meaning in editing

To juxtapose a shot before or after another is to create meaning that the shots would not have without each other. This same theory applies to complementary sequences when combined. Hitchcock isn't the first or only filmmaker to understand this process.

"The essence of cinema is editing. It’s the combination of what can be extraordinary images of people during emotional moments, or images in a general sense, put together in a kind of alchemy.”

- FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

Take a look at this iconic juxtaposition example from The Godfather .  It's clear that Coppola understands how to use this "alchemy" of juxtaposition in film. When watching this sequence, ask yourself what connections are being suggested between the two scenarios? 

The Baptism Scene from The Godfather

This montage , edited by Peter Zinner and William Reynolds, uses juxtaposition masterfully. Imagine if these two scenes were shown separately rather than being inter-cut. The baptism might appear as a rather meaningless plot point while the assassination scene would appear to be less methodical and strategic.

Zinner and Reynolds chose to juxtapose the two scenes together to create something new. From this, the audience is able to understand that the execution of Michael’s assassinations was a rebirth and christening for him as Don Corleone.

The Kuleshov Effect explained

Now that we have been able to define juxtaposition and analyze examples of it used in film, let’s dig deeper into the Kuleshov Effect and why it is the basis for all of film editing. We’ll dive deeper into Hitchcock and his juxtaposition examples in editing. We’ll also look into how Spielberg often subverts the Kuleshov Effect to put his own twist on it.

Up Next: The Kuleshov Effect →

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• Figures Of Speech

Antithesis: Meaning, Definition and Examples

Figures of speech , otherwise known as rhetorical devices, are used in the English language to beautify and make your language look and sound a lot more effective rather than a literal presentation of information. Each figure of speech has its function and is meant to perform its roles giving the context a unique effect. In this article, you will learn about one such figure of speech called antithesis. Read through the article to learn more about what antithesis is, its definition and how it differs from an oxymoron. You can also check out the examples and analyse how it is written for an in-depth understanding of the same.

Table of Contents

What is antithesis – meaning and definition, what differentiates an antithesis from an oxymoron, some common examples of antithesis, frequently asked questions on antithesis.

An antithesis is a figure of speech that states strongly contrasting ideas placed in juxtaposition. They contain compound sentences with the two independent clauses separated by a comma or a semicolon , in most cases. However, there are also instances where the antithesis is a compound sentence with a conjunction . An antithesis is mainly used to portray the stark difference between the two opposing ideas.

Antithesis, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a contrast between two things”, and according to the Cambridge Dictionary, “a difference or opposition between two things”. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives a more explanatory definition. According to it, antithesis is “the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences”.

Knowing the difference between an antithesis and an oxymoron will help you comprehend and use both the rhetorical devices effectively. Take a look at the table given below to learn more.

Here are some of the most common examples of antithesis for your reference.

• Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.
• Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.
• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” – Charles Dickens
• “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong
• “Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven.” – John Milton
• Speech is silver, but silence is gold.
• “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” – William Shakespeare
• Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.
• “To err is human; to forgive divine.” – Alexander Pope
• Money is the root of all evil: poverty is the fruit of all goodness.

What is antithesis?

An antithesis is a figure of speech that states strongly contrasting ideas placed in juxtaposition. They contain compound sentences with the two independent clauses separated by a comma or a semicolon, in most cases. However, there are also instances where the antithesis is a compound sentence with a conjunction.

What is the definition of antithesis?

What is the difference between antithesis and oxymoron.

The main difference between an antithesis and an oxymoron is that antithesis refers to the use of two contrasting ideas or thoughts conveyed in two independent clauses placed in juxtaposition, separated by a comma, a semicolon or a conjunction; whereas, the term ‘oxymoron’ refers to the use of two opposite words within a phrase to create an effect.

Give some examples of antithesis.

Here are a few examples of antithesis for your reference.

• “Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.” – Goethe
• “Folks who have no vices have very few virtues.” – Abraham Lincoln
• “Man proposes, God disposes.”
• Beggars can’t be choosers.
• Be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.

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Juxtaposition vs Oxymoron: What's the Difference?

Krystal N. Craiker

Juxtaposition and oxymoron are two literary devices that are easy to confuse. They both involve using two contradictory elements.

So, what's the difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron?

Juxtaposition involves writing about two elements, whether concepts or phrases, to emphasize a comparison or a contrast. They often represent a larger theme.

Oxymoron, on the other hand, is an apparently self-contradictory statement.

Let's take a closer look at juxtaposition and oxymoron.

Quick Definition and Meaning of Juxtaposition

Quick definition and meaning of oxymoron, what's the difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron, conclusion on oxymoron vs juxtaposition.

Writers use juxtaposition to either compare or contrast ideas. It's a way to emphasize two things that are either more similar than they appear or different in a substantial way.

Juxtaposition can appear in two different ways in writing.

Often, it involves two opposite concepts that are explored throughout an entire work. These can be recurring symbols, motifs, or extended metaphors .

Some commonly juxtaposed concepts in literature are light vs dark, good vs evil, and wealth vs poverty.

A great example of this type of juxtaposition is from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby . East Egg is where people who come from rich families or "old wealth" live.

West Egg is where the "new wealth" people live. These neighborhoods juxtapose the societal difference between new wealth and old wealth.

Juxtaposition can also be used within single sentences. This involves placing contradictory terms together to either compare or contrast them.

One of the best examples of this is the opening line of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities :

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way..."

Dickens juxtaposes many ideas to set the tone of the book: best vs worst, wisdom vs foolishness, etc. He also juxtaposes Paris and London, as well as freedom and imprisonment, throughout the book.

An oxymoron is a rhetorical device that involves placing two words that appear to be complete opposites next to each other. In doing so, these two words create a new meaning.

Oxymorons can add emphasis, aid in description, add irony , or just be entertaining word play.

Here are some examples of oxymoron :

• Deafening silence
• Serious vanity
• Jumbo shrimp
• Magical realism
• Passive aggressive
• Student teacher
• Freezer burn
• Close distance
• Exact estimate

You can probably see that you use oxymorons in your everyday life. But as a literary device, a deliberate and unique oxymoron can add poignancy to your writing.

One well-known example of oxymoron comes from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

In the famous balcony scene, Romeo says, "parting is such sweet sorrow." Sorrow, by definition, is not sweet. But when this antagonistic expression is put together, we understand that there is beauty and emotion in the goodbye.

Sometimes an oxymoron is a figure of speech that has become too common, like the oxymoron “blue blood.” Clichés are overused figures of speech that can make your writing sound trite.

You can use ProWritingAid's Cliché Report to identify overused phrases, so you can find a fresh way to express the same idea.

The major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron lies in their purposes.

Juxtaposition is designed to compare or contrast, while oxymorons are a type of word play that either create a new phrase or emphasize a point using two elements.

Another major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is in their length.

As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on what the contrasted objects are.

It doesn't have to be a single statement like oxymorons, which are only two words.

Oxymorons are about word play, whereas juxtaposition is a way to illuminate complex ideas.

Both oxymoron and juxtaposition are powerful literary devices. They both involve using contradicting elements, but their purposes are different.

Understanding them will help you add extra emphasis and poignancy to your writing.

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Home » Language » English Language » Literature » Difference Between Antithesis and Paradox

Difference Between Antithesis and Paradox

The main difference between antithesis and paradox is that antithesis is the juxtaposition of two contrasting ideas or words in the same statement to create a contrasting effect whereas paradox is a statement or an idea that seems to be contradictory but contains a latent truth.

Both antithesis and paradox are two figures of speech that contain two contradictory ideas. Although both seem to to have the same structure and function at a first glance, there is a distinct difference between antithesis and paradox.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is an Antithesis       – Definition, Characteristics, Examples 2. What is a Paradox     – Definition, Characteristics, Examples 3. Difference Between Antithesis and Paradox     – Comparison of Key Differences

Antithesis, Figure of Speech, Literary Devices, Paradox

What is an Antithesis

An antithesis, which literary means ‘opposite’ figure of speech that involves contrary ideas, words, or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure. Moreover, this combination of contrary ideas and balanced structures help to perfectly highlight the contrast in the sentence. However, it is important to note that the sentence itself does not contrast. For example, let’s look at the sentence “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Here, the two contrasting words many and few help to emphasize the meaning of the sentence.

Common Examples

Given below are some well-known examples of antithesis:

• Man proposes, God disposes.
• Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.
• “Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.”– Neil Armstrong
• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, ….” – Charles Dickens ( opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities)
• “ The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. ” – Abraham Lincoln

As you can see from the above examples, an antithesis always contains two opposing ideas. These ideas may not be structurally opposite, but they act as functionally opposite when comparing two ideas for the purpose of emphasis. Overall, emphasis helps the audience to understand more clearly the point the speaker or writer is trying to make.

What is a Paradox

A paradox is a figure of speech that contains two seemingly contrasting ideas together in order to reveal some hidden or unexpected truth. Although a paradox may seem silly or even contradictory at first glance, it usually reveals a latent truth upon further reflection. Let’s look at some examples of common paradoxes.

• Your strength lies in your weakness.
• Less is more.
• Be cruel to be kind.
• Attack is the best form of defence.
• Your enemy’s enemy is your friend.

A paradox helps to make the audience think about something in an innovative way. We can also use a paradox to present an idea that is contrary to traditional concepts. In literature, writers use paradoxes to get readers’ attention and to incite fresh thought.

Furthermore, there are two types of paradoxes in literature as situational and rhetoric. While a situational paradox is a circumstance that is contradictory, a rhetoric paradox is a seemingly contrasting comment made by a character. The concept of catch-22 in Joseph Heller’s novel Catch 22 is an example of a situational paradox. Meanwhile, the famous comment “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm is an example of a rhetorical paradox.

Antithesis is the juxtaposition of two contrasting ideas or words in the same statement to create a contrasting effect whereas paradox is a juxtaposition of a set of seemingly contradictory concepts that reveal a hidden truth.

Writers use antithesis to create a contrasting effect and bring the audience’s attention to the point he or she is trying to make. However, writers use paradoxes to incite fresh thought and present an idea that is contrary to traditional concepts.

Antithesis often has a parallel structure whereas paradox doesn’t have a set structure.

“Man proposes, God disposes” and “Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing” are examples of antithesis whereas “Less is more” and “Be cruel to be kind” are examples of paradoxes.

Both antithesis and paradox are two figures of speech that contain two contradictory ideas. Antithesis is the juxtaposition of two contrasting ideas or words in the same statement to create a contrasting effect whereas paradox is a juxtaposition of a set of seemingly contradictory concepts that reveal a hidden truth.

1.“Antithesis.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Aug. 2019, Available here . 2. “Paradox Examples and Definition.” Literary Devices, 31 Oct. 2015, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “MLK Jr: ‘We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools’ Washington (DC) Protest September 2017” By Ron Cogswell (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr 2. “Paradox” By Nick Youngson (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Blue Diamond Gallery

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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