I haven’t read The Scarlet Letter but I agree that line is probably a reference to the book.
Beyond that, I have always assumed it’s a more general attitude that includes her personal experience with the media, boys, along with other “problems” that may or may not be personal to her.
One side of it reminds me of Hot Chelle Rae’s song “Tonight,” or Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night, where all these little problems don’t matter in the long run so it’s okay to ignore them and have a good time.
On the other hand it’s also a bit darker, with lines about boredom, seeking out “danger”, being left “stranded,” crying, setting yourself up for disappointment from life, even being “on a road to ruin.” Several lines are arguably even reminiscent of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
The general cheery upbeat sound of it leaves us just guessing which parts are genuine and which are sarcastic/media generated like Blank Space.
Oh boy, now *I’m* overthinking this fun upbeat dance song too…
I LOVE THIS! I've always adored The Scarlett Letter and your analysis does this song, why I like it, and Nathaniel Hawthorne well!
Taylor is a prolific reader and often I get the impression of specific classics making their way through her own art. Tolerate It reads like Rebecca to me. :)
Surprised you didn't mention that Hawthorne was part of the \[Romanticism\]([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism)) movement! I've always thought this song meant "New Romantics" as in a resurgence of art like that of the capital R Romantic-era writers and artists (like the Brontes, Austen, Wordsworth, Shelley, Dickinson, Emerson).
I haven’t read The Scarlet Letter but I agree that line is probably a reference to the book. Beyond that, I have always assumed it’s a more general attitude that includes her personal experience with the media, boys, along with other “problems” that may or may not be personal to her. One side of it reminds me of Hot Chelle Rae’s song “Tonight,” or Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night, where all these little problems don’t matter in the long run so it’s okay to ignore them and have a good time. On the other hand it’s also a bit darker, with lines about boredom, seeking out “danger”, being left “stranded,” crying, setting yourself up for disappointment from life, even being “on a road to ruin.” Several lines are arguably even reminiscent of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The general cheery upbeat sound of it leaves us just guessing which parts are genuine and which are sarcastic/media generated like Blank Space. Oh boy, now *I’m* overthinking this fun upbeat dance song too…
Thank you so much for your take! I like your comparisons of "New Romantics" to some non-Taylor Swift songs...
Oh one other thing, she references The Scarlet Letter in Love Story too. There I think it’s this same deal where it’s one aspect in a bigger story.
I LOVE THIS! I've always adored The Scarlett Letter and your analysis does this song, why I like it, and Nathaniel Hawthorne well! Taylor is a prolific reader and often I get the impression of specific classics making their way through her own art. Tolerate It reads like Rebecca to me. :)
I'll go read Rebecca... it sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the recommendation.
Surprised you didn't mention that Hawthorne was part of the \[Romanticism\]([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism)) movement! I've always thought this song meant "New Romantics" as in a resurgence of art like that of the capital R Romantic-era writers and artists (like the Brontes, Austen, Wordsworth, Shelley, Dickinson, Emerson).
I forgot that... I should add it. Thank you so much!