Contrast

Introduction

Contrast is a literary device used by writers to highlight differences between two or more elements. It involves placing opposing elements close together to enhance their differences and emphasize their individual characteristics. This can be done through characters, settings, ideas, or even words and phrases. The purpose of using contrast in literature is to create tension, emphasize a theme, or simply draw the reader’s attention to particular attributes or dilemmas. For example, an author might contrast a character’s optimistic attitude with another’s pessimism to highlight their differing worldviews, or describe a bustling city next to a quiet rural setting to emphasize the chaos versus tranquility.

Pronunciation:
/kənˈtræst/

When Do Writers Use Contrast?

Writers use contrast as a tool to enhance their storytelling by delineating differences that are crucial for character development, plot progression, or thematic exposition. This literary device is particularly useful for:

• Drawing Attention: By contrasting elements, writers can focus the reader’s attention on specific attributes or themes they wish to highlight.
• Creating Conflict: Contrast can be a powerful driver of conflict within a story, pitting characters, ideologies, or forces against one another.
• Emphasizing Diversity: In narratives involving a range of characters or settings, contrast can help emphasize the diversity of experiences and perspectives.
• Enhancing Emotional Impact: By contrasting joy with sorrow, or hope with despair, authors can intensify the emotional impact of their narratives, making the highs feel more exhilarating and the lows more profound.

How Should I Use Contrast?

Using contrast effectively in literature requires more than just identifying differences. Here are some guidelines to help you harness the power of this device:

• Purposeful Contrasts: Make sure that the contrasts you introduce serve a clear purpose in your narrative. Whether it’s to develop your characters, advance your plot, or highlight a theme, your contrasts should add depth and complexity to your story.
• Balance: While contrasts highlight differences, maintaining a balance so that the narrative doesn’t become overly skewed towards one element is crucial. This balance helps to keep the story engaging and believable.
• Subtlety: Sometimes, the most powerful contrasts are those that are subtly woven into the fabric of your narrative. They don’t always need to be stark or overt; even slight contrasts can contribute significantly to the texture of your writing.
• Relevance: Ensure that the elements you choose to contrast are relevant to your story’s broader themes and messages. Irrelevant contrasts might confuse readers or dilute the impact of your narrative.

By following these rules, you can effectively utilize contrast to enrich your literary creations, making them more vivid and impactful.

Types of Contrast

Contrast in literature can be categorized into several types, each serving different purposes in storytelling and thematic development:

1. Character Contrast: This involves juxtaposing two characters with opposing traits to highlight their differences. A classic example is the virtuous hero versus the villain, but more nuanced contrasts might involve conflicting desires, ethics, or worldviews between protagonists and side characters.
2. Setting Contrast: Authors often use contrasting settings to emphasize differences in mood, theme, or social commentary. This could be as simple as contrasting the tranquility of nature with the chaos of urban life, or as complex as differing worlds in science fiction and fantasy.
3. Thematic Contrast: This form of contrast pits opposing themes against each other within a story, such as love versus hate, freedom versus oppression, or wealth versus poverty. Thematic contrasts can provide a deep exploration of philosophical or moral questions.
4. Linguistic Contrast: Sometimes, contrast is expressed through language itself—through the use of antithesis in rhetoric, where two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. This can also include the use of juxtaposing imagery or metaphors.
5. Narrative Contrast: This involves contrasting different narrative elements like tone, pacing, or point of view to enhance the storytelling or to create a particular effect that guides the reader’s understanding or emotional response.

Contrast in Literature

Here are some famous examples of contrast in literature:

• “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: The moral contrast between Atticus Finch’s integrity and the prejudice of the Maycomb community underscores the novel’s themes of racism and justice.
• “1984” by George Orwell: Orwell contrasts the oppressive, dystopian reality of life under totalitarian rule with the human drive for freedom and truth, highlighting the horrors of tyranny.
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Austen masterfully contrasts characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy to explore themes of social class, marriage, and personal growth.
• “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald uses contrast to depict the moral decay beneath the glittering façade of high society, especially through settings like the lavish parties at Gatsby’s mansion versus the bleak Valley of Ashes.

Contrast in Children’s Books

Contrast is also effectively used in children’s literature to teach and entertain:

• “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak: The contrast between Max’s reality at home and the wild, fantastical world of the Wild Things emphasizes themes of anger, escape, and ultimately, acceptance.
• “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle: The transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly is used to contrast stages of growth and change, making it relatable and educational for young readers.
• “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown: The rhythmic contrast between the quiet words and the active imagery serves to both soothe and engage young listeners at bedtime.
• “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss: The contrast between Sam-I-Am’s persistent character and the unnamed protagonist’s resistance helps communicate messages about openness to new experiences.

Contrast in Poetry

Contrast in poetry enhances emotional depth, emphasizes themes, and enriches the imagery. Here are some notable examples:

• “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost: Frost contrasts the elemental forces of fire and ice as metaphors for desire and hate, exploring the theme of destruction in human nature.
• “The Tyger” and “The Lamb” by William Blake: These poems are often paired to contrast innocence with experience, using two animal symbols to explore profound philosophical questions about the nature of good and evil.
• “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats: Keats contrasts the mortality of human life with the seemingly immortal voice of the nightingale, capturing the fleeting beauty of human experience versus the timeless allure of nature.

These examples illustrate how contrast not only highlights differences but also deepens the reader’s understanding of themes, characters, and emotions across various forms of literature.

Contrast in Songs

Contrast in songs often brings out powerful emotional and thematic shifts. Here are 10 famous examples where contrast is key:

1. “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry: The song uses contrast in the lyrics to depict the unpredictable nature of a lover’s mood swings.
2. “Let It Be” by The Beatles: Contrasting darkness with the notion of “light” and “mother Mary” as a source of solace during troubled times.
3. “Firework” by Katy Perry: Contrasts feelings of worthlessness with empowerment, encouraging listeners to realize their potential.
4. “Hello” by Adele: Features a contrast between past and present feelings towards an old friend, exploring themes of nostalgia and regret.
5. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton: Juxtaposes the singer’s pleading with Jolene’s captivating beauty, highlighting feelings of insecurity.
6. “Hard Times” by Paramore: Uses upbeat, vibrant music to contrast with lyrics about struggling through tough periods in life.
7. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac: Contrasts the steadiness of a mountain with the inevitability of change, reflecting on personal growth and aging.
8. “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel: Contrasts silence with the need for communication, exploring themes of isolation and misunderstanding.
9. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars: The contrast between high energy, funky music and smooth, stylish lyrics creates a compelling groove.
10. “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie: This song contrasts the pressures of life with the need for love and compassion, both lyrically and musically.

Contrast in Movies

Contrast in movies is used to enhance narrative depth, develop characters, or underscore thematic elements. Here are several famous examples:

1. “The Godfather” (1972): Contrasts the violent life of the mafia with the importance of family loyalty and tradition.
2. “Schindler’s List” (1993): Uses the contrast between good and evil within the context of the Holocaust to highlight acts of courage and humanity.
3. “Forrest Gump” (1994): Forrest’s simple, straightforward outlook on life is contrasted with the complex historical events he unwittingly influences.
4. “The Dark Knight” (2008): Features a stark contrast between chaos (The Joker) and order (Batman), exploring deep ethical questions.
5. “La La Land” (2016): Contrasts the dream of success in Hollywood with the reality of personal sacrifice and relationship struggles.
6. “Black Swan” (2010): Uses the contrast between the protagonist’s desire for perfection and her mental unraveling to enhance the psychological tension.
7. “Pulp Fiction” (1994): Contrasts mundane conversations with intense, violent actions to create a uniquely disorienting narrative impact.
8. “Up” (2009): The early contrast between the joy of love and the sorrow of loss sets the emotional tone for a story of adventure and healing.
9. “Parasite” (2019): Sharp contrasts between the wealthy and the poor are used to critique societal inequality and class conflict.
10. “Jaws” (1975): Contrasts the idyllic beach town setting with the lurking danger of the shark, heightening the suspense.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Contrast

One of the most famous lines that illustrates contrast in film is from “The Godfather”:

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

This line contrasts the seemingly generous offer with the underlying threat of violence, encapsulating the film’s theme of moral ambiguity within the mafia.

Youtube Link of Relevant Movie Clip Demonstrating Contrast

Here’s a YouTube link to a famous scene from “Schindler’s List” which demonstrates stark contrast in the character of Oskar Schindler, from a war profiteer to a savior:

Schindler’s List – Schindler’s transformation

Contrast in Advertising

Contrast in advertising is often used to make products or ideas stand out. Here are some notable examples:

1. Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl Ad: Contrasts the monotony of conformity with the bright, innovative potential of Apple’s Macintosh.
2. Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaigns: Often contrast professional athletes with everyday people to inspire viewers to push their limits.
3. Coca-Cola’s “Open Happiness” Campaign: Contrasts everyday stresses or scenes with the joy that a simple bottle of Coke can bring.
4. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” Campaign: Hilariously contrasts the average man with the impossibly suave spokesman to highlight the product’s appeal.
5. Dove’s “Real Beauty” Campaign: Contrasts the stereotypical ideals of beauty with real, diverse women, promoting self-acceptance and confidence.

Contrast Related Literary Devices

Contrast is closely related to several other literary devices:

1. Juxtaposition: Placing two elements side by side to highlight their differences.
2. Antithesis: Directly opposing two ideas in adjacent phrases or clauses to emphasize contrast.
3. Paradox: Using a statement that contradicts itself but reveals a deeper truth.
4. Irony: Presenting a situation or statement where the underlying meaning is significantly different from what is actually said.
5. Dichotomy: Dividing a whole into two contrasting parts.

These devices often overlap with contrast but are used specifically to draw out deeper meanings or enhance the impact of literary or rhetorical work.