The Jack & Jill of Juxtaposition = J: Blogging from A to Z

And then there were 16. 

Welcome to Day J of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
Continuing with my theme of literary devices, today we are talking about juxtaposition. 
Stop Sleeping Around! SourceJuxtaposition(source)Juxtaposition refers to the use of dissimilar terms, concepts, or images in order to contrast their varying (or opposite) attributes. This may be used for ironic effect, to create surprise or humor, or to stimulate the imagination.

Juxtaposition is often used for comparison and contrast, rhetorical effect, suspense, and character development. For characters, it's often the yen and yang of personalities.

For example:

Consider The Prince and the Pauper. The author took two young men from very different worlds, who happened to look just alike, and had them change positions--a prince to a pauper and vice versa. By placing each of them in the other's life, the author was able to compare and contrast how they saw the world. Through this literary device, the reader was privy to a deeper understanding of both characters.

For moms of girls, a newer example would be Barbie's The Princess and the Pauper. *winks*

Another example is the picture featured above. The advertisement for God right along an ad to "Stop Sleeping Around." In Kentucky, where I went to college, you could often find billboard ads for strip clubs near ads for a church or Right to Life billboard. Even though I've seen such a scenario many times, it always gives me pause.

By placing two seemingly different items together, it not only points out their differences but strengthens what each stands for--good or bad.

What's your favorite example of juxtaposition?

As a mom, I see my daughters as a day-to-day example of juxtaposition. They are each a combination of the same two parents' DNA, and they are being brought up with similar values and financial security, yet they are all so different. Their personalities glow, mainly as compared to each other.

And, as the title of this post implies, the nursery rhyme Jack & Jill shows how each handles going down the hill.

Jack and Jill went up the hillTo fetch a pail of water.Jack fell down and broke his crown,And Jill came tumbling after.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on April 11, 2013 04:00
No comments have been added yet.