Legal Definitions - juxtaposition

Juxtaposition refers to the act of placing two or more items, ideas, or concepts close together, often for the purpose of comparison, contrast, or to reveal a relationship between them.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of juxtaposition:

• Imagine a photographer capturing an image of a dilapidated, abandoned building standing directly beside a gleaming, newly constructed skyscraper. This juxtaposition immediately highlights the stark contrast between urban decay and modern development, prompting viewers to consider themes of progress, neglect, and change within the city.

• During a legislative debate, a senator might present statistics showing a rise in unemployment alongside data indicating a decrease in job training program funding. This juxtaposition is used to argue that the reduction in funding for training programs is directly contributing to the unemployment problem, emphasizing a cause-and-effect relationship or a policy oversight.

• Consider a marketing campaign for a new energy drink that shows an athlete performing at peak physical condition immediately followed by an image of someone looking tired and sluggish. The juxtaposition of these two states is designed to imply that consuming the energy drink will lead to the desired outcome of vitality and performance, making the contrast between the "before" and "after" scenarios very clear.