Taylor could've easily created fictional characters in The Tortured Poets Department and said that the album is a story about them, even if it was the tale of her life intertwined with it. But she didn't.
Why? 'Cause one, she wanted this story to be out in the world, as it was made, without twisting the narrative. She was ready to face the scrutiny she'd presumably receive with her art and her story. But the second reason resonates louder when you think about it— it's a failed construct.
Fans and the media circus would still try hard and die trying to read between the lines and find the “ultimate truth” through this album. folklore and evermore were about fictional worlds and fictional characters but people still took out words and lines they thought to be clues that linked to aspects of Taylor's personal life she wasn't willing to share. If TTPD was marketed as a fictional storytelling album rather than a diaristic one, people would still judge and burn her at the stake like they're doing now.
Both paths lead to the same road. The whole album might not be the complete truth, but both the artist and the muses would be judged either way, and maybe as fans or human beings, we have to deconstruct this notion of thinking of songs as the ultimate and complete truth- a keyhole to a person's life because it's not. One song can be about more than 1 muse or a completely made-up story from the feelings the artist felt, or read about, or had a friend talk about it. And we need to understand that.
Her name is Taylor, and she’ll be your host ✨ a few hours earlier ✨ than expected! Join us March 14 at 9pm ET to watch Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) on Disney+. 🦋🫶💜🧣🏙️🐍💘🌿🌳🕰️
Experience the ENTIRE concert film, beginning to end, including “cardigan” and 4 additional songs from the acoustic set (pssst: watch to the end of the trailer).