Love Story
This Shakespeare play is directly referenced in “Love Story.”
What is Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare?
“White Horse” challenges this common fairytale idea about love.
What is “happily ever after”
This phrase in the song reflects the Victorian expectation of lifelong relationships.
What is “forever and always”?/ the song title
The song contrasts two types of female characters: the “good girl” and this opposite type.
What is the “bad girl” / popular girl?
This album includes “Love Story,” “White Horse,” and “You Belong With Me," and Forever and Always."
What is Fearless?
The relationship in “Love Story” reflects this Victorian theme about relationships being controlled by society.
What is forbidden love extra 50 if includes "due to social expectations"
The song reflects this major shift in Victorian literature away from fantasy.
What is realism?
The song contrasts with Victorian ideals because the relationship in the song ends in this way.
What is suddenly / unexpectedly/ quickly?
This Victorian ideal describes the perfect modest and virtuous woman of the time period
What is the “Angel in the House”?
The “Fearless” era often mixes modern settings with this type of aesthetic showing Victorian themes
What is fantastical or fairytale-like imagery?
Taylor compares herself to this literary symbol of shame and isolation from a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
What is the scarlet letter?
The “white horse” is a symbol this traditional fairytale figure.
What is a prince/savior?
Victorian society expected relationships, especially marriage, to be this.
What is permanent and stable?
The narrator represents this valued Victorian trait over physical appearance.
What is inner virtue/ sincerity/ modesty?
Similar to the Victorian Flower Project, flowers in “Fifteen” connect to this Victorian practice of assigning meanings to flowers.
What is floriography
This Victorian-era novel also explores how relationships are shaped by class and reputation, similar to “Love Story.”
What is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, or Dracula by Bram Stoker
Instead of being saved, the narrator realizes this about her situation.
What is that life is not a fairytale / she must face reality?
Swift’s emotional confrontation in the song would have been viewed this way in Victorian society.
What is improper/ socially unacceptable?
This novel is used as a comparison for the characters in the song.
What is Pride and Prejudice?
This Taylor Swift fun fact: she named one of her cats after this character from Grey’s Anatomy.
Who is Meredith Grey?
Unlike Romeo and Juliet, “Love Story” changes this key outcome.
What is the tragic ending (it becomes a happy ending/marriage also works)
This theme/theme in Victorian literature is reflected in the song’s tone of disappointment and clarity.
What is disillusionment?
The irony of the title “Forever and Always” shows this idea about love.
What is that lifelong love is unrealistic or fragile?
This character from Pride and Prejudice can be compared to the “cheer captain.”
Who is Caroline Bingley?
This Jonas Brothers member reportedly inspired “Forever & Always.”
Who is Joe Jonas?