Contrast: A Literary Device

Contrast: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Etymology of Contrast: The word “contrast” originates from the Latin word “contrastare,” meaning “to stand against” or “to set in opposition.” It entered the English language in the mid-17th century through French influence, retaining its original sense of comparison by opposition.

Literal Meaning:

• Visual Contrast: In a visual context, contrast refers to the degree of difference between elements such as colors, tones, textures, or shapes within an image or scene. High contrast indicates significant disparity, while low contrast suggests minimal variation.
• Textual Contrast: In literature, contrast manifests through the juxtaposition of distinct elements, characters, themes, or ideas, highlighting their differences and often serving to emphasize certain aspects or convey thematic depth.

Conceptual Meaning:

• Intellectual Contrast: Beyond the literal, contrast serves as a fundamental cognitive tool for comparison and analysis, allowing individuals to discern differences and similarities, make informed judgments, and understand complex concepts by highlighting disparities.
• Emotional Contrast: Contrast also operates on an emotional level, evoking heightened responses through the presentation of conflicting emotions, experiences, or perspectives, thereby enriching narratives and fostering deeper engagement with texts.

Contrast: Definition as a Literary Device

Contrast in literature is a literary device used to highlight differences between elements, characters, themes, or ideas within a text. It involves the juxtaposition of contrasting elements to create emphasis, depth, and complexity in narrative and thematic development. By presenting opposing qualities or perspectives, contrast enriches storytelling and facilitates deeper exploration of themes and characters.

Contrast: Examples in Everyday Life

Example	Explanation
Light vs. Darkness	In photography, the stark contrast between light and dark areas creates depth and visual interest. Similarly, in life, the metaphorical contrast between light (good) and darkness (evil) is often used to convey moral or philosophical ideas.
Hot vs. Cold	Sensory experiences such as feeling the warmth of sunlight contrasted with the chill of a winter breeze illustrate the contrast between hot and cold. This juxtaposition enhances our perception of temperature and comfort.
Rich vs. Poor	Economic disparities between the affluent and the impoverished showcase the stark contrast in living standards, opportunities, and access to resources, shedding light on social inequalities prevalent in society.
Day vs. Night	The transition from day to night symbolizes contrasts such as activity versus rest, light versus darkness, and the cyclical nature of time. This contrast influences human behavior, mood, and perception of the world.
Silence vs. Noise	The absence of sound contrasts with the presence of noise, illustrating the dichotomy between tranquility and chaos. This contrast affects our mental well-being and shapes our preferences for environments conducive to focus or relaxation.
Youth vs. Old Age	Contrasting stages of life, such as the vitality and energy of youth juxtaposed with the wisdom and experience of old age, highlight the passage of time and the evolution of perspectives and priorities.
Joy vs. Sorrow	Experiencing moments of joy alongside periods of sorrow underscores the emotional contrast inherent in human existence, emphasizing the range of emotions and the resilience of the human spirit in navigating life’s challenges.
Urban vs. Rural	The contrast between urban environments characterized by bustling cityscapes and rural landscapes marked by tranquility and natural beauty reflects diverse lifestyles, values, and societal dynamics shaped by geographical settings.
Success vs. Failure	The dichotomy between achieving success and encountering failure underscores the inherent risks and rewards in pursuing goals, highlighting the importance of resilience, perseverance, and learning from setbacks in personal and professional endeavors.
Love vs. Hate	The contrast between love, symbolizing affection and compassion, and hate, representing animosity and hostility, reveals the complexities of human relationships and emotions, shaping interpersonal dynamics and societal norms.

Contrast in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Example	Play	Explanation
Love vs. Hate	“Romeo and Juliet”	The love between Romeo and Juliet contrasts sharply with the hatred between their families, the Montagues and Capulets, emphasizing the tragic consequences of familial feud and societal conflict (Act 1, Scene 1).
Appearance vs. Reality	“Macbeth”	The contrast between appearances and reality is evident in Lady Macbeth’s outwardly composed demeanor concealing her inner guilt and madness, underscoring the theme of deception and moral decay (Act 5, Scene 1).
Light vs. Dark	“Hamlet”	The imagery of light and darkness symbolizes the contrast between clarity and confusion, with Prince Hamlet’s introspection contrasting with the corrupt and shadowy world of the Danish court (Act 1, Scene 2).
Order vs. Disorder	“King Lear”	The breakdown of order and the chaos that ensues in King Lear’s kingdom illustrate the contrast between societal stability and upheaval, reflecting themes of power, madness, and the natural order (Act 1, Scene 1).
Appearance vs. Reality	“Othello”	Desdemona’s perceived infidelity contrasts with her genuine innocence, highlighting the theme of appearance versus reality and the destructive effects of deception and jealousy (Act 3, Scene 3).
Love vs. Friendship	“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”	The romantic love between Hermia and Lysander contrasts with the platonic friendship between Hermia and Helena, showcasing the complexities of relationships and the transformative power of love (Act 1, Scene 1).
Madness vs. Sanity	“Hamlet”	Hamlet’s feigned madness contrasts with the genuine madness of characters like Ophelia and the existential crisis he faces, exploring the thin line between sanity and insanity (Act 3, Scene 1).

Contrast in Literature: Examples

Short Stories:

1. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry: The contrast between the young couple’s poverty and the value of the gifts they give each other highlights the sacrifice and love in their relationship.
2. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: The contrast between the serene and peaceful setting and the brutal and violent event that unfolds creates a sense of irony and horror.

Poems:

1. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: The contrast between the two paths in the poem represents the speaker’s conflicting desires and the consequences of choice.
2. “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: The contrast between the mighty statue and the desolate, ruined landscape highlights the fleeting nature of power and civilization.

References:

• “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry (1906)
• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson (1948)
• “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (1916)
• “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1818)

Contrast in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Contrast
Marxist Criticism	Contrast highlights class struggles and power dynamics, revealing societal inequalities.
Feminist Criticism	Contrast exposes gender roles, stereotypes, and patriarchal structures, promoting gender equality.
Postcolonialism	It reveals cultural differences, challenging dominant narratives and promoting decolonization.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	It represents the struggle between conscious and unconscious thoughts, desires, and repressed emotions.
Deconstruction	It challenges binary oppositions, revealing the instability of meaning and the complexity of language.
New Historicism	It highlights the tension between historical context and literary representation, revealing power dynamics and cultural influences.
Reader-Response Criticism	It engages readers, encouraging them to fill in the gaps and create their own meanings.

Contrast in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Foil	A character who contrasts with another character, typically the protagonist, to highlight particular qualities or traits.
Juxtaposition	The placement of two or more elements side by side for comparison, often to emphasize differences or create a specific effect.
Antithesis	The use of contrasting ideas, words, or phrases within a parallel grammatical structure to create a balanced expression, highlighting opposition.
Paradox	A statement or situation that appears self-contradictory but may reveal deeper truth upon examination, often employing elements of irony and contradiction.
Duality	The concept of two opposing forces or qualities existing in tandem, symbolizing complementary or conflicting aspects of human nature or the universe.
Irony	A contrast between expectations and reality, often involving a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, or between expectation and outcome.
Allegory	A narrative technique where characters, events, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral principles, conveying complex themes or social commentary.
Oxymoron	A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms to create a paradoxical effect, conveying complexity, ambiguity, or irony in a concise manner.
Contrastive Patterning	The deliberate arrangement of contrasting elements to create visual or thematic interest, emphasizing differences or drawing attention in literature.
Dichotomy	A division or contrast between two mutually exclusive elements, often used to explore themes of conflict, identity, or moral ambiguity in literary works.

Contrast in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. Mythologies. Hill and Wang, 2012.
2. Culler, Jonathan. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2000.
3. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. University of Minnesota Press, 2008.
4. Fowler, Alastair. Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction. Routledge, 2014.
5. Guerin, Wilfred L., et al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. Oxford University Press, 2015.
6. Lentricchia, Frank, and Thomas McLaughlin, editors. Critical Terms for Literary Study. University of Chicago Press, 1995.
7. Leitch, Vincent B., et al., editors. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. W.W. Norton & Company, 2018.
8. Murfin, Ross, and Supryia M. Ray. The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014.
9. Richter, David H. The Critical Tradition: Classic Texts and Contemporary Trends. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007.
10. Rivkin, Julie, and Michael Ryan, editors. Literary Theory: An Anthology. Blackwell Publishing, 2017.