Juxtaposition In The Great Gatsby

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Hey there!

Today’s topic is one of my favorites! I can’t even tell you how much I love talking about this. I know I sound like a complete nerd, but this is no sarcasm. Juxtaposition has an enormous impact on how we subliminally perceive characters. Defined as “[1] an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast, [2] the state of being close together or side by side,” (Dictionary.com) juxtaposition allows us to more deeply understand main characters and their situations. This is most accurately explained by example. Literarydevices.com provides some excellent instances of juxtaposition that we hear almost every day:

“All’s fair in love and war.”
“Better late than never.”
“Beggars can’t be …show more content…

Scott Fitzgerald Idea
Gatsby – wealthy and aware of the way the world works

Carraway – poor and naïve
The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins Situation
The Seam – poverty stricken, underdeveloped and dangerous to live in

The Capitol – rich, overfed, over-supplied and over indulgent
The Maze Runner – James Dashner Situation
The Glade – Green, food, water, generally safe (with the exception of the Grievers)

The Scorch – dry, sandy, dangerous with little food and …show more content…

Contrasting interesting ideas, situations and characters not only improves the way we view the subject but how we understand them.

Consider Katniss and Peeta in Suzanne Collin’s book The Hunger Games (can you tell I’m a fan yet? :) ). The two characters are completely different in personality and outlook. Katniss is guarded, cynical and untrusting. Conversely, Peeta is quiet, stable, compassionate and reasonably trusting. He is not weak by any definition, only more emotionally available due to his love for Katniss and the desire to keep her safe.

I have not read the Divergent series yet, but it’s clear from the movies that there is a clear difference in the way the average citizens operate and the way divergent individuals do. Dauntless also views the world differently from Candor or Erudite. I’m not very educated on the series, so please excuse any misunderstandings.

Basically

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