Browse | Taylor Swift Scholar

“I’mma Let You Finish”: Time and Rehabilitation in Innocent

As in Never Grow Up, time in Innocent is a double-edged sword. Although growing up is terrible, it also provides healing and growth.

There is Nothing Achilles Does Better Than Revenge: The Iliad (Taylor's Version)

Better Than Revenge is Swift’s Iliad – a feminine recasting of the timeless tale of besmirched honor.

Wordless Magic: Implication and Inference in Enchanted

Swift read a lot into eye contact and a quick conversation – in her mind, she decoded the message embedded in a light-hearted conversation.

The Lost Boys Chapter of Her Life: Fear of Aging in Never Grow Up

Our chronophobic prophetess Taylor Swift informs a baby that her life is only going to get worse from here.

Comedy Plus Time: The Genre of Romantic Relationships in The Story of Us

The Story of Us continues Swift’s exploration of literary themes in her romantic relationships – beginning with Love Story and White Horse.

Ruining Regina George’s Life Didn’t Make Me Any Happier: Taylor Swift’s Cautionary Tale of Becoming Mean

Like quintessential revenge heroes Hamlet or Cady Heron, Swift leaves a wake of destruction behind her when she attempts to become mean.

Baby I’m a Firework: Illuminating Abusive Tactics in Dear John

John relied upon darkness to cover up his misdeeds. Swift becomes a radiant source of light, illuminating not just herself, but a whole town

Don’t Say Yes: Silence as a Speech Act in Speak Now

Taylor Swift uses Speak Now to specifically consider the consequences of not speaking – situations where silence is an action.

The Allegory of the Rose: Linear and Cyclical Time in Back to December

In Back To December, Taylor Swift explores decay over time.

Snow White and the Unrealistic Date: Fantasy as Falsehood in Today was a Fairytale

The Basics: Taylor Swift describes a date by proclaiming over and over again that it was a fairytale. Literary Device: Epizeuxis...

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