Taylor Swift’s “cardigan” presents Betty’s side of the love triangle connected to “august.”
The three linked Folklore songs involve Betty, James, and an unnamed female narrator. “august” follows the unnamed girl’s summer relationship with James, while “betty” presents James’s perspective after the relationship causes damage.
“cardigan” is told from Betty’s viewpoint and reflects on memory, betrayal, and a relationship that has changed over time. The songs do not form a straightforward chronological narrative; instead, each track supplies a different emotional angle.
Swift described the story as fictional, created during the songwriting process for Folklore. This is why listeners should not assume the characters directly represent real people in Swift’s life, even though the songs use emotionally detailed storytelling.