Juxtaposition is used primarily to highlight which effect?

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Juxtaposition places two or more elements—ideas, places, or actions—close enough that their differences or similarities stand out. When writers set these elements side by side, the contrast makes a point about theme, character, or mood that wouldn’t be as clear if each element stood alone. For instance, pairing scenes of opulence with scenes of hardship sharpens the reader’s sense of social critique, while a quiet, intimate moment next to a grim public event can heighten emotional tension. The effect you’re looking for here is the contrasts or tensions revealed by that close placement. It isn’t primarily about the order of events, a rhythmic or musical feel, or simply describing a setting—those come from other devices. Juxtaposition, at its heart, is about how putting things next to each other illuminates differences or comparisons that deepen understanding of the text.