“Once the flight had flown…” Taylor Swift is a master storyteller, but how does she tell those stories? In this week’s Show & Tell episode, we’re talking all about Narratology. We break down the structure behind the storytelling, unpacking flashbacks, fast forwards, stream of consciousness, and first-person limited narration through three brilliant Swift tracks. From fairy tale distortion in “Is It Over Now?”, a murder mystery arc in “No Body, No Crime,” to the heart-tugging Bildungsroman of “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” this episode explores the how behind the heartbreaks, twists, and self-discoveries. Whether you're into literary theory, folklore, or just love a well-crafted bridge, you’ll leave this episode with a deeper appreciation for Taylor’s evolving narrative toolkit—and maybe a few English class flashbacks of your own.
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Mentioned in this episode:
White Lotus
E51: All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Snow White
Doctor Who
Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
***
Episode Highlights:
[01:13] Intro to narratology
[05:25] “Is It Over Now?” 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)
[19:34] “No body, no crime” evermore
[32:20] “You’re on You’re Own, Kid” Midnights
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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.
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