"What is Juxtaposition?": A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

[@SWLF]

This video now includes Spanish as well as English subtitles. For a full list of dual-language videos in our series, please see the following site: liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/oregon-state-guide-english-literary-terms

[@Khatoon170]

Juxtaposition is literally technique that places two distinct dissimilar things side by side to bring out their differences . Synonyms adjacent, adjoining, contiguous. For example all fair in love and war or making mountain out of molehill . Juxtaposition can help strengthen argument, create emotional response or otherwise add meaning . Thank you for your wonderful educational literary channel.

[@ramakantsharma5699]

I have never seen someone explaining a word meaning in such a detail. I am highly obliged to see your video. 🙏🏻

[@SWLF]

Wow, thanks so much, Ramakant! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

[@suzannesigafoos4347]

What a wonderful explanation, thank you, David. Loved the art works, LOVED the Trethaway poem. Here's to continuing education.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Suzanne! We're delighted that you enjoyed the video, and we hope you'll continue to follow the series. As a land-grant institution, OSU is committed to community outreach, and the School of Writing, Literature, and Film is excited to provide the public with tools to process the texts that they encounter in and beyond our literary world.

[@SWLF]

Please drop us a comment to let us know what you thought of our video! Doing so will help us to build a rich digital learning environment around the topic of literary language.

[@marjhahne2166]

Always rich to learn from you, David Biespiel. Thank you.

[@SWLF]

Thank you so much for your feedback, Marj! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the video, and we hope you'll continue to follow our series as it expands!

[@yoitsraul15]

Never have I ever imagined that education would be this important to me. I wish I would have paid more attention in school.

[@SWLF]

Well, we certainly hope that means you enjoyed the video, yoitsraul15! And it is never too late to learn something new!

[@Aritul]

Phenomenal series you have here! Thank you for introducing me to the poem at 3:14. It's beautiful.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Aritul! Trethewey’s poem is pretty incredible, isn't it? We're so happy to hear that you are enjoying the series!

[@CLAPTRAPEntertainment]

I am so happy that you have a channel like this. Love you.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much for the love, Clap Trap! We're delighted to hear you are enjoying the channel!

[@richardglady3009]

Wonderful lecture…again. I love not just the examples, but that you took the time to explain the juxtaposition. Thank you.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Richard! We agree!

[@SmartrMelons]

To me, juxtaposition is a comparison of two similar subjects that shows a contrast that are mostly formed by differing realities of the subjects. Like my video "Juxtaposing Two Different Realities."

[@SWLF]

Thanks for sharing, SmartrMelons!

[@nd41]

I have read many pieces on Juxtaposition, and I am wondering if Juxtaposition as a device can exist at a text level where there is a start contrast between the beginning and ending of a narrative with some change in the character, mood, atmosphere and setting going beyond the confines of a sentence. COULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE? :) THANK YOU SO MUCH. Artist Eric Kim also published an article focusing on juxtaposition. He writes, "Juxtaposition is just a fancy word for contrast." The point is, contrast can be achieved in many different ways. It's not just light versus dark or big versus small. In his fourth example of juxtaposition, Kim explores the contrast between the past and the present. We see a daughter looking at herself in the mirror as she puts on a colorful dress. This stands in contrast to the black and white photo of her parents hanging beside her.

[@SWLF]

Interesting question, ND! In general, we would say no. Juxtaposition in print (as in visual media) requires that the elements in comparison be placed next to one another. As such, lines of poetry near each other could be considered in juxtaposition to one another, but changes in character, etc., over the course of a long narrative would situate those differing elements far away from each other. That's our two cents. What does everyone else think?

[@nd41]

@@SWLF Thank you so much for replying :) But, when analysing structure in a text, we look at structural elements at a sentence and whole text level, right? E.g. at the start of the extract, a character could embody moral virtue and goodness juxtaposed to the ending where the character is portrayed as wicked and vile. Will this change from past to present (beginning and end) be considered as juxtaposition, inviting the reader to make comparisons through contrast? Wouldn't this also be an example of juxtaposition.

[@ojaswijoshi]

AHH! I was so confused on Juxtaposition as my exam is near, I gave a try to watch in KZbin and This really made my day. Thank you ❤️

[@SWLF]

You're very welcome, Ojaswi! We're delighted to hear that you found the video useful, and we hope you enjoy the others in our series as well!

[@isleastron8251]

When Sir said, "Again, not opposed, but juxtaposed (just opposed)", that killed me. Lol

[@SWLF]

Ha! Thanks for supporting the series, Isle!

[@jankatesamson]

Hi, I'm confused. Why not the line by Dickens "it was the best of times..." a paradox?

[@SWLF]

We think you could also refer to that memorable quotation as a paradox. If you frame it as a juxtaposition, you'd be implying that for some, it was the best of times, and for others (e.g. the poor and disenfranchised), it was the worst of times. Thanks for keeping the conversation going, Jan Kate!

[@jankatesamson]

@@SWLF Got it, thank you. But if both juxtaposition and paradox are equally applicable to this excerpt from Dickens, which would you recommend choosing if both options are present?

[@SWLF]

@@jankatesamson Given the fact that Dickens' novel addresses both those who thrive and those who suffer, we'd call it juxtaposition. Though the phrase itself is paradoxical!

[@jankatesamson]

@@SWLF Thank you!

[@hemamalini1814]

I've finally finished the series and this one was my favourite!

[@SWLF]

Wow! You deserve some kind of award for finishing the series, Hema! Thanks so much for checking out all of our videos and for your kind words. We hope you'll continue to check out our new ones (look for a familiar face next week!)

[@soheibdissa9991]

Thank you so much. I had trouble understanding this concept in my english class, and thanfully this video came in handy!

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much for your kind words, @soheibdissa9991 ! We are delighted to hear you found the lesson useful and we hope you'll check out our other videos in the series!

[@sharongillesp]

There IS some element of opposition when you juxtapose two elements. Whether it be color, size, texture, ideology, etc. The huge green leaf is in opposition to the small sphere. As is the technology is in opposition to natural aspects of the leaf.

[@SWLF]

Thanks for the comment, Urban Dwellers! We agree that elements in juxtaposition can indeed call attention to opposition. However, Prof. Biespiel is suggesting that other relationships beyond opposition are possible and should be looked for when employing the term. Thanks for keeping the conversation going!

[@Felix-xv3wg]

I searched this up because juxtaposition was in my cousins spelling bee but I learned some great stuff!

[@SWLF]

Awesome! Thanks so much, Felix! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well. We hope your cousin did well in the spelling bee!

[@jamesgames4330]

This. Maybe its the alcohol I've been drinking or it a deeper spiritual need but this video with the poem used actually had a serious impact on me and my view of language. I enjoyed this. Thank 6ou for the information.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, James! We agree. Prof. Biespiel has another video on rhyme that changed the way we understand language as well. Check it out if you are interested and stay healthy.

[@shannonhunt6967]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Thank you!

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Shannon! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well.

[@visibility1o1.]

Wow the explanation was so good loved itfr

[@SWLF]

RThanks so much, @visibility1o1. We hope you enjoy the other lessons in our series as well!

[@mariazandra08]

thank you so much! we had this on our module and we had to answer the quiz about this but our teacher didnt even taught this to us :(( so im here and i understood very well! thank you

[@SWLF]

Awesome! We're happy to hear you found the video useful, mariazandra! Check out the other videos in our series if you are interested in learning more literary terms.

[@jasleen6939]

thanks a lot, I too now understand what juxtaposition means but can you please clarify the difference from oxymorons …are they the same thing? I always get confused about that!

[@SWLF]

We have a video on oxymoron that you can watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYmwmadmos5jrsU

[@jasleen6939]

@@SWLF thanks a lot 😊🤗

[@andrewmiller1129]

Thank you, Sir! I needed this explanation!

[@SWLF]

Excellent! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the video, Andrew, and we hope you'll check out the others in our series as well!

[@ashoknandwani4044]

👌Now it's so simple to Understand.THANKS.🙏

[@SWLF]

You are very welcome! We hope you find the other lessons in this series useful as well!

[@Joy-yk9pw]

Keep it up! There is something I would like to clarify if juxtaposition is the same as antithesis.

[@SWLF]

Good question, Joy! We'd say that antithesis(at least as it is used in literary interpretations) is a special kind of juxtaposition that emphasizes contrasts or differences between words in a given sequence. Juxtaposition doesn't necessarily always call attention to opposition or difference. At times, things can be put into juxtaposition to emphasize surprising similarities. That's our two cents. What does everyone else think?

[@hemamalini1814]

Thankyou for this amazing explanation David

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Hema!

[@VPNAnonymous]

Is this word almost the same as a Dichotomy?

[@SWLF]

Sort of, anonymous. When we call something dichotomous, we are saying that the two terms being compared are oppositional in nature. (For example, we tend to think of identity within dichotomous frameworks of nature vs nurture). Juxtaposition can stress contrasts but it can also stress unexpected similarities.

[@hamzaalwan9864]

Great, i hope u explain the most important literary terms in literature

[@SWLF]

We will certainly try! Thanks, Hamza!!!

[@sisiliaandreane320]

great explanation! what's the difference between juxtaposition and binary opposition?

[@SWLF]

Thanks, Sisilia! As Prof Biespiel suggests, juxtaposition is "placed next to." Binary oppositions suggest that the terms oppose one another--like good/bad or tall/short. Juxtaposition can call attention to contrasts, but binary opposition ALWAYS calls our attention to contrasts. That's our sense of the difference. What does everyone else think?

[@sisiliaandreane320]

@@SWLF Now I get it. Thank you so much, Professor. I always confused when comes to a text and I have to answer whether it is juxtaposed or not. May I ask another question? In John Steinbeck's novella, "Of Mice and Men", is that correct if I say that the 2 characters (George and Lennie) are being juxtaposed? I am sorry for my bad grammar.

[@simas729]

How beautifully n elaborately explained

[@SWLF]

Many thanks for your kind words, Sima. We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

[@petarpesic3959]

what is the difference between juxtaposition and antithesis

[@SWLF]

Thanks for the question, Peter. Antithesis usually conveys opposition rather than juxtaposition. In the video, David describes juxtaposition not as opposed but next to. Check out that section of the video for more info. We hope you'll check out the other videos in our series as well!

[@samuelbaldwin-jones5205]

Thanks for this, also beautiful poem, I needed to hear that and I didn't come here for it.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Samuel. We hope you enjoy the other video lessons in our series as well!

[@bertandataamba9744]

Thanks a lot, you help me understand the word. It is a wonderful explanation.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Isaack! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

[@wtung82]

I finally understand this word. Thank you

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Dave! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

[@victoriacorcimaru1731]

Thanks!!! Great video

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Victoria! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

[@anmolnaharr]

Thank you, this was such an informative video!!

[@SWLF]

Thanks for watching! We hope you enjoy our other videos in the series as well.

[@EtchJetty]

Thank you, Ravens, very cool!

[@SWLF]

Thank you for your support! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the video, and we hope you'll continue to like our forthcoming videos!

[@emaanlone5909]

What is the difference between paradox and juxtaposition and oxymoron

[@SWLF]

Good question, Emaan! You can check out our oxymoron video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYmwmadmos5jrsU

[@emaanlone5909]

@@SWLF paradox ?

[@gameancastro3567]

So like ying & yang ( black or white )

[@SWLF]

Great examples, Gamean! Thanks for keeping the conversation going!

[@MrSinghSAmit]

Oh! Love it!

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Amit!!!

[@kevinpeterson6973]

I've always told my students that the Metallica concert with the S.F. Symphony was a great example- do any of you agree?

[@SWLF]

Ha! That is a heck of a juxtaposition!

[@kevinpeterson6973]

@@SWLF Thank you!

[@thecurtle]

I regret not being more open minded about poetry in my youth. 😞

[@SWLF]

It is never too late to start, Thecurt! Poetry tends to find you at the right time.

[@subhramallick3647]

@@SWLF thank you from Kolkata india

[@subhramallick3647]

@@SWLF to I thank you from Kolkata india

[@SWLF]

@@subhramallick3647 Thanks so much for supporting the series, Subhra!

[@stevendeboer6921]

Joji really does this in his song,- Why am I still in LA

[@SWLF]

Interesting, Could you elaborate, Steven? We're not as familiar with this song.

[@carolball5887]

Please get rid of the annoying background noise. Thanks

[@SWLF]

Thanks for the comment, Carol! We'll keep the music down going forward with new videos.

[@hemalakshmi4250]

Thanks sir😊

[@SWLF]

Thank you, Hema! How many more videos do you have to watch!?

[@hemalakshmi4250]

@@SWLF so far watched some 20 videos 🤔

[@SWLF]

@@hemalakshmi4250 You're going to be finished with them in no time! Thanks again for all your support!

[@hemalakshmi4250]

@@SWLF 😊 👍

[@pavanbobade1114]

Absolute beautiful

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Pavan! David's other videos in our series are pretty great as well!

[@dinosaur468]

why does this feel like a motvational video?

[@SWLF]

Ha! Because we want to motivate you to read more poetry!

[@moranih]

Thank you!

[@SWLF]

You're welcome, Emwa! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

[@joshuajairusporras0316]

Love this literary devices, reminds me of oxymoron.

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much, Joshua! We also have a video on that literary term here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYmwmadmos5jrsU

[@joshuajairusporras0316]

Thank you! God bless 😊🙏

[@ZaidAlmymoni]

thanks

[@SWLF]

Thank you, Zaid! We hope you like our other videos as well!

[@picklr3893]

Why does sound extremely spiritual.

[@SWLF]

Thanks for the comment, Picklr. He does have a soothing voice, doesn't he? We hope you like the other videos in our series as well!

[@mariefabre5977]

Thanks king

[@SWLF]

Ha! Thanks, Marie.

[@hobgoblin4199]

Yella?

[@SWLF]

Or yellow for non-Texans. :)

[@SWLF]

@@debracarriere9051 Indeed. Thanks for the comment! If you liked this video, David's done a few others for us as well that you can find in the playlist.

[@TheNibiru720]

So is it not sexual

[@deepblack2193]

Can’t life itself be described as a juxtaposition?

[@SWLF]

Interesting! How so, Deep Black?

[@dance-off1529]

here after 3 years

[@SWLF]

Ha! What took you so long, Dance-Off 15?

[@nurlatifahmohdnor8939]

Page 649 Thesaurus Vicinity.

[@freepilot7732]

Why 4 thumbs down? Genuinely wondering.

[@Celebsnapclips]

haters everywhere

[@sisi1364]

Actually, there is 11 lol

[@KelsenCaesar-w9p]

Loren Cape

[@JessyP-u6q]

Dr Birmingham

[@joytekb]

London

[@SWLF]

Corvallis

[@LashaundaShearin-v7v]

Jany Island

[@RafaelSantos-oi7rb]

Shakira brought me here

[@SWLF]

Ha! Well, however you got here, welcome!

[@Alpha-Mike-Foxtrot]

Bens been using this word all wrong. Big surprise.

[@SWLF]

Ha! We hope we cleared some things up, Ben. Don't be too hard on yourself!

[@AshishGhirnikar]

I apologize but that's juxta stupidity😂😊

[@austintheamerican3784]

Geez a lazy two year old could paint that

[@SWLF]

Ha! Not a fan of Rothko, eh?

[@RantyCat]

Thanks!

[@SWLF]

Thanks so much Cereal Killer (great name)!