Which fictional character’s perspective does Taylor Swift’s song “august” use?

Taylor Swift’s song “august” uses the perspective of an unnamed female narrator.

The narrator describes a brief summer romance with James, who is already connected to Betty. Unlike the narrators of “cardigan” and “betty,” she is never given a name in the song. Swift said she privately imagined names such as Augusta or Augustine, but those names do not appear as the character’s official identity.

This detail is often confused with the song’s title. “August” is the month associated with the romance and its fading memories, not the confirmed name of the narrator. The character is also sometimes labeled “Augustine” by fans as shorthand.

The narrator forms one corner of Folklore’s fictional love triangle. “cardigan” presents Betty’s perspective, while “betty” presents James’s, allowing the three songs to revisit the same teenage relationship from different viewpoints.