Taylor Swift love triangle

Peter losing Wendy, I would've changed the ending

Zia Eger-Slobig '25

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People often underestimate the poetic nature and storytelling of songs. Songs serve as more than just a melody or rhythm; they have lyrics that can have a large impact. Like any good novel, songs use imagery and conflict to prevail their message. Taylor herself names these characters after her dear friends’ children, therefore adding more of a storytelling element to her writing. Taylor Swift utilizes her songs “Betty”, “August” and “Cardigan” to form the story of a teenage love triangle. This triangle has been subject to many interpretations, but here is mine:

In the Taylor Swift love triangle, Augustine is the personification of “August”. She serves as the summer fling or the “other woman”. Throughout her summer, she feels as though time is slipping away from her and she won’t have this love once summer ends. She blames herself for loving him as he was “never hers.”

Art by Zia Eger-Slobig '25

Augustine serves as a representation of someone who wants more from a relationship than what the guy is actually able to give to her. Even though she knows that she is his second choice for everything, she still waits for him. Her song is all about summer love–how temporary and fleeting it can be. She is someone who simply lets him use her just because she needs all the attention she can get, no matter the source.

James is the center of this love triangle and plays the role of the person in power. He, in a lot of ways, chooses the direction that his relationships go. James uses his age in order to excuse his mistreatment of both Betty and Augustine. His lack of maturity is not due to his age, but due to his disregard of women’s feelings and importance.

James personifies toxic masculinity through his song to Betty; he blames all his own actions on her as if he had no responsibility for the consequences. Even as he “apologizes” to Betty, he is not ever taking accountability for his own actions but simply deflecting his own responsibilities onto her. James does not deserve either woman and yet he feels as though he is worthy of dating both of them.

Betty is the main character in this universe. As she grows older, she looks back upon this high school situation. James uses her just like Augustine. He makes her feel loved only when he feels like it, but through this lingering sense of him, she is stuck. Even as this relationship is barely holding on, he knows how to make her feel loved.

Throughout him giving her love and taking it away, Betty is slowly being ripped apart. During this relationship, people made her think it was just teenage confusion, but she knew better, and now it's too late. James is only present when he needs to be but he never simply wants to be there.

This love triangle is more important than just entertainment purposes; it provides an example of how music can be impactful. This album, released 3 years ago, is still a point of debate and conversation among swifties.

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