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What Is Juxtaposition? (With 20+ Examples)

spencer655
Apr 25
3 min read

Updated: Apr 28

Juxtaposition is one of those literary and visual devices that shows up everywhere — from novels and poetry to photography and film. Teaching it can open students’ eyes to how contrast helps create meaning.

Whether you’re designing an ELA lesson, an art unit, or just want to explore how contrast fuels creativity, here’s what juxtaposition means, how it differs from other terms like oxymoron or paradox, and examples you can bring directly to your classroom.

What does juxtaposition mean?

Juxtaposition is the act of placing two things side by side — especially for the purpose of highlighting their differences or creating contrast.

The things being compared don’t need to be opposites — they just need to create a meaningful or thought-provoking contrast when placed together.

For example:

A neon sign glowing above an abandoned building.

In literature, it’s used to add depth, irony, or emotional weight. In art, it’s used to create visual or symbolic contrast.

Juxtaposition doesn’t state a contrast outright — it just places the elements next to each other and lets the viewer or reader notice.

What is juxtaposition vs. oxymoron?

While both involve contrast, juxtaposition and oxymoron are very different tools:

Feature	Juxtaposition	Oxymoron
Form	Full images, scenes, or ideas	2-word phrases
Example	Rich man walking past homeless	“Bittersweet” or “Deafening silence”
Function	Invites interpretation	Condenses contrast into language
Common use	Literature, film, art, design	Language, poetry, rhetorical style

Oxymoron = language tool.

Juxtaposition = broader contrast tool.

So you might say:

“The poem uses juxtaposition between light and darkness…”
“The character uses oxymorons in her speech, like ‘seriously funny.’”

Is a juxtaposition a paradox?

No — but they can overlap.

A paradox is:

A statement or situation that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.

“The more you learn, the less you know.”

Juxtaposition can create a paradox, but it doesn’t have to.

For example:

A character who is brutal in war but gentle with animals — that juxtaposition might feel paradoxical, but it’s not a paradox by itself.
Juxtaposition is the contrast, while paradox is the unexpected truth that may emerge from it.

What are some examples of juxtaposition?

Here are 20+ quick juxtaposition examples, perfect for discussion starters, writing prompts, or literary analysis:

Literary or thematic examples of juxtaposition:

A child’s innocence contrasted with the horrors of war
Light and shadow described in the same setting
A joyful wedding taking place during a national tragedy
A hero with both kindness and cruelty
A futuristic city filled with poverty
A peaceful countryside next to a polluted factory
Beauty described alongside decay
A loud party next to a silent graveyard
A rich man ignoring a beggar on the same street
A poem mixing religious symbols with profanity

Visual or artistic examples of juxtaposition:

A bright red umbrella in a black-and-white photograph
A sleek modern building next to a crumbling ruin
A flower growing through cracked concrete
A smiling person holding back tears
A clean kitchen with one broken, rusted tool
A ballerina dancing in a prison yard
A glowing phone screen in total darkness
A child holding an old, torn teddy bear
Neon lights over a dirt path
A vintage car next to a spaceship model

Bonus juxtaposition examples for classrooms:

A student doodling during a serious lecture
A quiet student placed next to the class clown
A strict rule chart next to messy handwriting
An inspirational quote written on a graffiti wall

Juxtaposition is everywhere — and once students recognize it, they start seeing how artists, writers, and even advertisers use contrast to make an idea stick. It’s a perfect concept for both creative writing and critical analysis, helping students move from “what is this?” to “what does this make me think or feel?”

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