By: Courtney Culotta
March 21, 2025
Let’s talk about two cultural icons, centuries apart, yet somehow destined to be intertwined: Jane Austen and Taylor Swift. Both have captivated audiences with their tales of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. And let’s be honest: if streaming was around in Jane Austen’s era, she and all of her heroines would have it on repeat. So, which of Austen’s iconic novels match up with Swift’s iconic eras?
Red Era:
First up, arguably her most iconic piece of work is Pride and Prejudice. This novel perfectly embodies Red (Taylor’s Version). Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s fiery misunderstandings, dramatic revelations, and eventual heart-wrenching reconciliation? That’s peak Red energy. It’s passionate, messy, and emotionally intense—just like falling in love with the wrong timing and all the right feelings. Plus, Darcy’s letter is basically the Regency version of All Too Well (10 Minute Version).
Folklore Era:
Next is Sense and Sensibility which is in its Folklore era. Elinor and Marianne Dashwood experience love and loss in wildly different ways, much like Folklore’s duality of wistful storytelling and poetic melancholy. Marianne’s whirlwind romance with Willoughby that ends in heartbreak - The 1. Elinor’s quiet suffering while keeping her emotions locked away - This Is Me Trying. Ultimately, both sisters find love, but not without learning some hard truths along the way.
Lover Era:
My personal favorite Jane Austen Novel is Emma, and Emma’s era has to be Lover. "Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close forever and ever?" Emma Woodhouse is witty, charming, and a little too confident in her matchmaking abilities. Her story is full of humor, romance, and the realization that love was right in front of her all along—just like Lover, which is whimsical, lighthearted, and deeply romantic. Plus, Mr. Knightley calling Emma out for her mistakes? Very You Need to Calm Down of him.
Evermore Era:
Mansfield Park is one of Austen’s more underrated works, and because of that I think that it matches perfectly with Evermore, one of Taylor’s masterpieces, that doesn’t always get the love it deserves. Fanny Price’s journey of resilience, self-worth, and unrequited love is tailor-made for Evermore. This novel, much like the album, is slower, deeper, and more introspective. Fanny is often overlooked and underestimated, yet she remains true to herself. Tolerate It could easily be her internal monologue as she watches Edmund fall for the wrong woman.
Speak Now Era:
Northanger Abbey perfectly represents the Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) era. "I'm captivated by you, baby, like a fireworks show." Catherine Morland is young, imaginative, and convinced her life is a Gothic novel—until reality sets in. Speak Now perfectly captures the youthful excitement and naivety of her journey. Catherine's love of dramatic, over-the-top narratives is Enchanted energy, while her realization that real love isn’t found in horror novels mirrors the album’s theme of growing up and seeing the world differently.
1989 Era:
Finally, we have Persuasion! Now you may think of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) for it’s pop bops like Shake it off and New Romantics, but I think Persuasion perfectly embodies some of the deeper cuts of 1989. Anne Elliot’s story is all about reinvention and second chances, just like 1989 was Taylor’s reinvention into pop stardom. Anne is older, wiser, and finally ready to take control of her own happiness. Wildest Dreams is practically her internal soundtrack as she pines for Captain Wentworth and his famous letter. That’s You Are in Love levels of perfection.
Jane Austen and Taylor Swift both understand the complexities of love—the heartbreak, longing, and the magic of finally getting it right. Whether you’re an Austen fan, a Swiftie, or both, these stories and songs remind us that love is timeless, and so are the emotions that come with it.
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