Final answer:
The juxtaposition in 'Nick lives next to Gatsby' highlights contrasting characteristics between two characters by placing them in close proximity, which is a key element of F. Scott Fitzgerald's narrative technique in 'The Great Gatsby.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The juxtaposition in "Nick lives next to Gatsby" refers to the literary technique of placing two entities in close proximity to highlight their contrasting characteristics. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel 'The Great Gatsby,' the physical proximity of Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby's residences is symbolic of broader thematic contrasts. While Gatsby represents opulence and the American Dream gone awry, Nick embodies a more grounded perspective and moral conscience. This juxtaposition extends to the lavish lifestyle of the 1920s versus the more modest, reflective outlook of those like Nick who observe and critique it. Such contrasts are key components of Fitzgerald's narrative, accentuating the differences between characters and underscoring the novel's exploration of themes like illusion versus reality and the hollowness of the American Dream.