In Taylor Swift’s “august” love-triangle story, “Betty” is told from James’s perspective.
The three connected Folklore songs are “Cardigan,” “august,” and “Betty.” “Cardigan” presents Betty’s perspective, “august” follows the unnamed girl involved in a summer romance with James, and “Betty” gives James the narrative voice.
The storyline centers on James, Betty, and the unnamed narrator. James is already connected to Betty when he becomes involved with the narrator during the summer. The relationship ends, and the songs explore memory, regret, longing, and reconciliation from different viewpoints.
Listeners sometimes assume the narrator of “august” is officially named Augustine or Augusta. Swift said she imagined names such as Augusta or Augustine, but the character is not given a confirmed name in the song. James and Betty, by contrast, are explicitly named.