Literary juxtaposition or contrast in literature is one of those concepts that is sometimes hard for high school students to grasp, but once they get it, it’s a game changer. Just the use of the word juxtaposition in a literary argument essay seems to take it next level. So how as English teachers, do we help them to analyze and write about juxtaposition in literature? Visuals, of course.
What is the Literary Definition of Juxtaposition?
I tell my students that literary juxtaposition is when the author places two things side by side for the purpose of contrast. It is for the purpose of allowing the reader to understand something more clearly about a character or a situation. Often authors will juxtapose characters. However, they can use it with setting or conflicts, as well.
The effect of contrast in literature should be to highlight some aspect of character, setting or conflict. It can allow the reader to see that characters are actually more alike than we originally thought or magnify their differences.
So, how do we help students to grasp the concept of literary juxtaposition? We show it to them.
Seven Videos to Teach Literary Juxtaposition
One: Pixar’s Up!
The beginning of the movie up is so rich and it makes me cry almost every time! But the way that Russell and Fredricksen are juxtaposed is an easy way for high school students to see literary juxtaposition in action. Russell’s exuberance highlights Fredricksen’s misery and allows students to see the juxtaposition of youth and age, inexperience and experience. You could use this scene when Russell first knocks on the door which is spliced with other scenes from later in the movie or if you have access, you could show the first 10 minutes or so of the movie.
Two: Moana: “You’re Welcome”
Aside from the fact that it’s a great song, the contrast between Moana and Maui in this scene is great. It is very clear to see that he thinks he is “all that” and Moana is not convinced. Again, you can focus on the imagery, the facial expressions.
Three: The Gilmore Girls
One of the clearest examples of contrast in a story that I have ever visually seen is in The Gilmore Girls TV show. Because Lorelei and Rory have such a good mother-daughter relationship it is not often that they exhibit such clear contrasts as near the end of season 3. Both mother and daughter find themselves at a crossroads.
The Independence Inn, where Lorelei works, has caught fire, and Rory has made the decision to go to Yale. In this scene, Lorelei is seeing the damage from the fire for the first time. Her world is falling apart. At the same time, Rory is entering her bedroom for the first time after her mother has replaced all her Harvard gear for Yale. Her future is bright and full of endless possibilities. Bonus is the visual effect of the darkness of the inn in contrast with the brightness or Rory’s room. Here is a link.
Oh and another fun example of literary juxtaposition is Suki and Luke at the diner before the more poignant scene contrasting the fire at the inn with Rory’s bedroom.
Four: Cobra Kai
There’re many opportunites to show literary contrast with Daniel and Johnny in Cobra Kai. The opening scenes of just about any episode will work. I like the one from season 1, where you can contrast not only Daniel and Johnny, but also Daniel’s wife, Amber’s response to their behavior.
A couple more great options: the opening of Season 2, episode 9: Tory and Samantha training (just the first 1:45). Later in the same episode, there is another great Johnny/Danny contrast when they end up at tables near each other on date night.
Five: Liv and Maddie
There is nothing like a show about twins where one is a musician/actress and the other is a jock to show contrast. This clip helps show how the two think differently but also have similar fears. You could have the students focus on the juxtaposition of the girls’ appearances, even how the show plays into stereotypes to help establish the contrasts.
Six: Despicable Me
Another great literary contrast is in the first Despicable Me movie when Gru goes to the bank to ask for the loan to grab the moon. He makes his presentation, and they turn him down. The banker compares him to Vector. There are lots of options to look at contrast in the scene. You could look at young Gru vs. Old Gru, or the banker vs. his mother.
While he is waiting in the waiting room he meets Vector which sets up another contrast. Just like with Russell and Fredricksen in Up!, we can examine the way youth and age play out. It allows the viewer to understand Gru’s background without recounting his whole backstory.
Seven: Dan Jansen Visa Commercial
This one is great if you are short on time. Since it is only 30 seconds, you can watch it multiple times. The beginning of the video shows Dan Jansen, Olympic Speed Skater wiping out against the wall during his competition in 1988. The second half shows him winning gold and skating a victory lap in 1994. You can focus the images, the music and the text to see how the two events are contrasted to demonstrate the impact on his life. The other great thing about this one is that it is not a contrast between characters, but a contrast within in the one character’s life.
Three Ways to Use these Videos to Teach Literary Juxtaposition
So these videos are great, but how do we use these in the classroom to teach literary juxtaposition? Here are three idea:
Venn diagrams for Character Juxtaposition
A simple Venn diagram could be just the thing you need to help students see the contrasts and the similarities. That example with Lorelei and Rory is perfect because they are both experiencing life changing events, but the events are going to take them in completely different directions. So it is clear for students to see how they are both similar and contrasted. Then you can add a space for them to evaluate how the contrasts help to illuminate each character.
Stations or Choice Board for Examples of Literary Juxtaposition
Set up virtual stations or a choice board for several of these videos and then have the students view 3-5 of the videos. They can note the way that the contrasts work in each situation. Once they have examined a number of contrasts, you can have them discuss in small groups or as a whole class the patterns they see emerging.
Mini-Lesson to Teach Literary Juxtaposition
You could also use a mini-lesson to introduce contrast and literary juxtaposition. You can play the video and then have a short discussion. Have the students write some notes on the definition of contrast and juxtaposition. Then you can follow with a short text like “A Country Cottage” to practice.
Literary Juxtaposition Examples in Video
In our highly media driven world, sometimes the easiest way to get our students to a skill is to use the media they are most familiar with. These seven videos are a great way to teach the literary definition of juxtaposition. They are not the only ways, of course. Other great ways are through Flash Fiction, picture books and wordless picture books, and poetry. Let me know in the comments below if you have any other great ways to teach juxtaposition in literature.
Related Resources
Five Amazing Reasons to Teach Flash Fiction
20 Short Short Stories for AP Lit
Three Excellent Short Films for High School English (A Better Way to Teach)
