Taylor Swift may be America’s sweetheart, but she is quite notorious for her “long list of ex-lovers.” In her hit single, “Blank Space,” Swift ultimately mocks herself and embraces her image as ‘the crazy ex-girlfriend.’ And because that wasn’t enough, she went on to release what is arguably her greatest music video to date. In a style that perfectly matches her ingenious lyrics, the video starts with Swift meeting a new guy, and ends with her going full-out psycho on him- burning his clothes, slashing his pictures and smashing his car. The video is a work of art in and of itself, and Swift’s ability to poke fun at herself is completely admirable.
In the music video, aside from the glamorous outfits, lavish decor, and fancy cars that are surely part of Swift’s actual lifestyle, there are many animals present, and almost all of them are white. The video starts off with Swift holding a fluffy white cat. Shortly after, we are introduced to her two white horses, followed by doves and a white deer. White is almost always associated with purity and innocence, and Swift’s choice of animals could hardly be considered a coincidence. While her lyrics may be self-mocking, she is still trying to retain her “good girl” image and show that she is innocent. These white animals serve as a reminder to the viewer that Swift is just a victim in all of this, and that she is no monster. On the other hand, the male lead is shown holding three large, black, vicious-looking dogs. This serves as the perfect contrast to Swift’s stark white, cuddly pets. Swift’s usage of animals and colors are the perfect way for her to maintain her innocence while portraying the boys as the monsters.
