Which of the following means to show differences?

The term that means to show differences is "contrast." In literary and critical reading contexts, contrast involves examining the distinctions between two or more elements, which could be characters, themes, or settings. By highlighting these differences, a deeper understanding of the individual characteristics and complexities of each element can be achieved.

The other options have different meanings: "compare" typically involves looking at similarities rather than differences, "highlight" means to emphasize or draw attention to something, and "simplify" refers to making something less complex or easier to understand. Thus, "contrast" is the most fitting choice for indicating a focus on differences.