Marks: A=3, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=4
16/25 = 5
To what effect is contrast and/or juxtaposition used in at least two of the works you have studied?
Juxtaposition and contrast are stylistic devices used in works of literature to enhance their quality and
create a clear distinction between two objects. Both the devices are used to distinguish, however in
juxtaposition the distinction is made with the objects placed close to each other. To answer the question
of to what extent these devices are used and their effect I will use 1984 and Persepolis.
T.S- In Persepolis juxtaposition is used extensively in the form of binary opposition to bring two opposites
together in an panel, while in 1984 contrast is used to differentiate between political ideologies, characters
or the environment and the actions of the characters.
Persepolis uses the visual mode to represent the distinctions in the society by using the colors black and
white and therefore to a larger extent juxtaposition is used as Satrapi places these colors closely to each
other as not only these colors are expressed to be opposites of each other, but also suggest a figurative
meaning. For instance the demonstrations for and against the veil in the beginning of the book creates a
prominent image in one’s head as the demonstrators for the veil are shown in black- not just because
they are wearing the veil, but also suggesting that the demonstrators with their eyes closed are ignoring
the consequences of woman wearing a veiling. While the demonstrators who satrapi chooses to show in
white are seen to be the freedom fighters fighting against the oppressive and restraining veiled woman.
Satrapi by using this wants to convey the fundamentalist represented by the black and the modernist
ideology represented by the white through this panel. The effect of juxtapositioning black and white
makes it clear to the reader of the types of the ideologies and meaning behind the simple colors. One of
the main motifs in the book is the demonstrations that were carried out in the repressive regime in Iran
during the revolution, Satrapi uses binary opposition like in the veil demonstration to create distinction by
juxtaposition.
Also, when Marji in a panel with half her with a veil and the other half of her with the machinery and
hammer in the background, Satrapi uses both juxtaposition and contrast to bring out the two sides of
Marji- the religious and the modern and avant garde side. The effect of the panel is to show that the effect
of two different ideologies on a child’s mind. Marji is still searching for her identity in this big world, and by
showing the way she is brought by her parents and how the regime in Iran enforces her with their
ideologies, for instance in schools- she has turned out to be confused.
The colors are used to create dark to light ratios, Satrapi chooses to use them usually to represent
emotions like grief or shock. For instance, in the end of part 1 as Marjane is sent all by herself to Austria
to live away from the unpredictable status of Iran, her father has half of his face covered in darkness and
other half in white, while her mother had passed out. This contrast of colors in the situation tells us the
adversity of the situation.
In 1984 contrast is used more than juxtaposition. Looking through the political lens one can see that
Orwell uses a character as a protagonist, who is alienated from the rest of the society to express is
difference in values and beliefs. For instance the reality of the party and winston’s is clearly made
different, in other words for winston 2+2=4, while for the party 5. This simple addition of numbers may
seem silly, but hold a great value in indicating a difference. The difference is political ideologies are made
16/25 = 5
To what effect is contrast and/or juxtaposition used in at least two of the works you have studied?
Juxtaposition and contrast are stylistic devices used in works of literature to enhance their quality and
create a clear distinction between two objects. Both the devices are used to distinguish, however in
juxtaposition the distinction is made with the objects placed close to each other. To answer the question
of to what extent these devices are used and their effect I will use 1984 and Persepolis.
T.S- In Persepolis juxtaposition is used extensively in the form of binary opposition to bring two opposites
together in an panel, while in 1984 contrast is used to differentiate between political ideologies, characters
or the environment and the actions of the characters.
Persepolis uses the visual mode to represent the distinctions in the society by using the colors black and
white and therefore to a larger extent juxtaposition is used as Satrapi places these colors closely to each
other as not only these colors are expressed to be opposites of each other, but also suggest a figurative
meaning. For instance the demonstrations for and against the veil in the beginning of the book creates a
prominent image in one’s head as the demonstrators for the veil are shown in black- not just because
they are wearing the veil, but also suggesting that the demonstrators with their eyes closed are ignoring
the consequences of woman wearing a veiling. While the demonstrators who satrapi chooses to show in
white are seen to be the freedom fighters fighting against the oppressive and restraining veiled woman.
Satrapi by using this wants to convey the fundamentalist represented by the black and the modernist
ideology represented by the white through this panel. The effect of juxtapositioning black and white
makes it clear to the reader of the types of the ideologies and meaning behind the simple colors. One of
the main motifs in the book is the demonstrations that were carried out in the repressive regime in Iran
during the revolution, Satrapi uses binary opposition like in the veil demonstration to create distinction by
juxtaposition.
Also, when Marji in a panel with half her with a veil and the other half of her with the machinery and
hammer in the background, Satrapi uses both juxtaposition and contrast to bring out the two sides of
Marji- the religious and the modern and avant garde side. The effect of the panel is to show that the effect
of two different ideologies on a child’s mind. Marji is still searching for her identity in this big world, and by
showing the way she is brought by her parents and how the regime in Iran enforces her with their
ideologies, for instance in schools- she has turned out to be confused.
The colors are used to create dark to light ratios, Satrapi chooses to use them usually to represent
emotions like grief or shock. For instance, in the end of part 1 as Marjane is sent all by herself to Austria
to live away from the unpredictable status of Iran, her father has half of his face covered in darkness and
other half in white, while her mother had passed out. This contrast of colors in the situation tells us the
adversity of the situation.
In 1984 contrast is used more than juxtaposition. Looking through the political lens one can see that
Orwell uses a character as a protagonist, who is alienated from the rest of the society to express is
difference in values and beliefs. For instance the reality of the party and winston’s is clearly made
different, in other words for winston 2+2=4, while for the party 5. This simple addition of numbers may
seem silly, but hold a great value in indicating a difference. The difference is political ideologies are made
