Do you want to know how I got these scars?

what the joker says to people before telling them a story about how he got the scars on the sides of his mouth in the dark knight.

the first story involves his drunk father killing his mother, then cutting the sides of his son’s mouth with a knife to make it appear as if he is always smiling. this is where the line “why so serious?” is said in the movie.

the second story is different, in which he talks about his wife. he states that he puts a razor in his mouth and moves it around, therefore cutting himself, giving himself more scars.
story 1: do you want to know how i got these scars? my father was a drinker, and a fiend. and one night he goes off crazier than usual. mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. he doesn’t like that. not. one. bit. so, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. he turns to me, and he says, “why so serious?” he comes at me with the knife, “why so serious?” he sticks the blade in my mouth, “let’s put a smile on that face!” and…why so serious?

story 2: well, you look nervous. is it the scars? do you wanna know how i got them? c’mere…hey, look at me…so i had a wife. beautiful, like you, who tells me i worry too much; who tells me i oughta smile more, who gambles and gets in deep with the sharks. hey…one day they carve her face. we have no money for surgeries; she can’t take it. i just want to see her smile again. hm? i just want her to know that i don’t care about the scars! so, i stick a razor in my mouth and do this to myself. and you know what? she can’t stand the sight of me! she leaves. now i see the funny side. now i’m always smiling!