Contrast

Contrast Definition

The word contrast is often used to visually describe images like the campfire, but there are many types of contrast. People can also use the word contrast to describe abstract ideas like personalities, literary themes, and much more.

Contrast can be used to evaluate the differences between:

• People

• Places

• Objects

• Events

• Ideas

• Visual elements

In literature, contrast examples are a means of evaluating two of these things side-by-side, but instead of looking for similarities, you’re looking for the ways the two things are different. This helps illuminate the details of one or both of the items you’re contrasting.

Visually, it’s like setting a bright object up against a dull background; the details of the bright object will stand out more.

Fig. 1. Visually, contrast provides greater detail about the edges and limitations of an object, and it works the same way in composition

The umbrella is outlined in greater detail than if it were seen next to objects that were similar in color or shape. Contrast as a literary device works much the same way. There is a lot to learn about a subject when you can discuss how it is different from surrounding things.

When two things are alike in many ways, a contrast must necessarily be extremely detailed. On the other hand, when two things are not much alike, a contrast between the two can be more general.

For example, a contrast between the works of William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe would need to take a close look at each playwright. They were both Elizabethan writers, and they both dealt with themes of love and tragedy on the stage. Anyone who might wish to argue that one is better would have to provide a detailed argument as to what exactly makes one greater than the other.

On the other hand, a contrast between the works of William Shakespeare and Lin-Manuel Miranda would be quite a different story. They are both prolific writers, but in different genres and centuries, and the differences between their plays and musicals are quite obvious. This means a contrast between these two can be more general.

How to Use Contrast

You can contrast one aspect of an idea or text, which is an effective way to take a deep dive into this particular concept.

Say, for example, you want to learn more about the contrast between near rhymes in poetry. One way to do this is to find a few examples of near rhymes among a few different poets and see how they each use this poetic device. How are they different? What counts as a near rhyme? What does this information tell you about near rhyming?

Alternatively, you can contrast the entirety of two texts or concepts. This approach to contrast will include a potentially long list of differences, giving you plenty of content to contrast. Think of an assignment that asks you to contrast two different novels; you could talk about the differences in characters, prominent themes, storyline, setting, or whatever else sticks out to you.

Types of Contrast

So what are the types and examples of contrast? Because it’s possible to contrast virtually anything, there are in essence infinite types of contrast. You can contrast two political ideas, characters in a story, genres, public figures–or any of these things against the other. The options are limitless!

There are, however, a few common types of contrast that help illuminate particular topics. These are visual, cultural, personal, and emotional contrast.

Visual Contrast

Perhaps the most easily accessible form of contrast is visual contrast because human brains can quickly process the differences in appearance between two objects. Visual contrast can be the difference between fast and slow (tortoise versus hare), color (black versus white), size (big versus small), or anything else you can perceive with your eyes.

Cultural Contrast

The cultural or social spectrum is one place where people tend to contrast their standing with those around them. You can contrast race, nationality, religion, gender, and anything else to do with social or cultural constructs.

Personal Contrast

You can contrast specific details about people; physical appearance, personality traits, habits, skills, or anything else you can think of.

Tobias Wolff uses the contrast in the husband and wife's beliefs to represent a divide in society; white versus black, racism versus acceptance of others, and love versus ignorance.

Fig. 2. Sometimes contrast is necessary to understand something better.

Emotional Contrast

Emotions are the way you feel in response to something that happens. Emotions can vary between people as they interpret the same event differently, and they can also quickly shift within one person.

Janie herself recognizes the contrast in the fabric of her life. Dawn and doom represent the tension between life and death, youth and age—at times bringing emotions of joy or sadness—themes Hurston worked into the whole novel.

More Examples of Contrast

Here are a few more specific contrast examples found in literature.

Below is an example of personal contrast between two classic literary characters: George and Lennie from Of Mice and Men (1937), written by John Steinbeck.

Notice that the contrast between the characters is based on physical characteristics, intellect, and personality traits.

Compare and Contrast

Contrast is perhaps best understood alongside its counterpart, comparison.

In composition, comparison and contrast are frequently used together to evaluate something in great detail, so much so that compare and contrast is a common essay style assigned by English composition and biology teachers alike.

In composition, a compare/contrast essay requires students to examine the texts or ideas side-by-side and make connections between themes, characters, literary devices, or any other relevant details. This will take students beyond basic reading and into a deeper understanding of the text and author.

While a comparison will look for similarities between objects, a contrast will search for those differences. A contrast essay will try to pit the two objects against one another to find where they differ. The point of a contrast essay may be to find differences between two entire texts or to find differences in one aspect of both texts.

For example, a contrast essay about Shakespeare's comedies versus his tragedies might make a general statement about what exactly makes one genre different from the other. Alternatively, a contrast essay on the same subject could take an example from each category and contrast them against each other in a few different ways.

Some assignments expressly invite comparison, contrast, or both, by using words like “similarities,” “differences,” “compare,” or “contrast.”

Other assignments are less direct, but comparison or contrast might still be appropriate.

Regardless of whether you decide to compare or contrast a particular novel, idea, or theme, you’re sure to gain insight into the text or concept itself.

Usage of Contrast

There are specific ways you can use contrast to illuminate particular concepts. The following techniques add additional elements to contrast:

• Juxtaposition – Placing two things side-by-side specifically to contrast them.

• Oxymoron – A figure of speech where two contradictory words are written together in a word or phrase for an unusual effect (e.g., deafening silence, tough love, bittersweet)

• Antithesis – A person or thing that is the exact opposite of someone or something else.

• Paradox – A statement or situation that directly contradicts itself by definition.

Many people confuse contrast with juxtaposition, but they are not the same! Juxtaposition specifically identifies two things that might have differences and compares them side-by-side, while contrast refers to the general arrangement of oppositional things.

All of these techniques can be combined to create a detailed contrast between two things, or they can be used alone and have the same effect.