Taylor Swift’s Folklore love-triangle song “Cardigan” presents Betty’s viewpoint. The trilogy also includes “august,” narrated by the girl involved with James, and “Betty,” narrated by James himself.
Swift designed the three songs as connected fictional perspectives rather than as a straightforward account of one real-life relationship. James is involved with Betty but has a summer romance with the unnamed narrator of “august.”
The songs overlap in characters, memories, and emotional consequences. “Cardigan” focuses on Betty’s recollection of love and betrayal, while “august” captures the other girl’s temporary hope and eventual realization that James was never truly hers.