Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment
by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment: Oxymorons 1 key example

Definition of Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to... read full definition

Key Examples in Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment

Oxymorons
Explanation and Analysis—The Girl-Widow :

Hawthorne uses the oxymoron "girl-widow" when describing The Widow Wycherley at the peak of her supposed transformation into a young woman. 

But they were young: their burning passions proved them so. Inflamed to madness by the coquetry of the girl-widow, who neither granted nor quite withheld her favors, the three rivals began to interchange threatening glances.