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Oh, Where Oh Where Can My Baby Be: Transforming Presence to Absence in Last Kiss
Swift’s relationship was a physical experience. Since breaking up, the full-bodied physical experience of another person has been replaced by a flattened, empty version. For example, Swift sings: “I’ll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep.” When they were together, Swift saw a three-dimensional, moving, human being. After the break-up, she will now see him only through static, pixelated representations on an instagram feed.
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The Ghost of Relationship Past: Holding on to a Relationship after it Ends in Haunted
In literature and popular culture, ghosts generally linger because they have unfinished business from their lives.
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“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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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