Inroduction

This dissertation examines the profound impact of Taylor Swift on the construction of Chinese youth’s identity through her music within the context of contemporary globalization. Swift’s influence is demonstrated through her popular feminism and support for the queer community, empowering young women and marginalized groups by providing them with a cultural space to assert themselves in a rapidly modernizing society. This study views Swift’s Chinese fans as embodiments of symbolic defiance against established societal conventions and argues that Swift successfully captivates her audience through an emotional mechanism, leading to widespread admiration and active engagement despite cultural differences. The findings suggest that Swift’s popularity among Chinese youth not only reflects her musical talent but also resonates with their aspirations and challenges.

Ecoambiguity inspires people to reflect on whether creative texts are green and think about what a green life is.

Wu Liujia Katherine

Highlights

• The lyrics and body gestures can be seen as slogans that embody a feminist standpoint. They exemplifies Swift’s portrayal of personal growth and female accomplishments. However, their impact is limited in scope. While these expressions effectively convey broad feminist messages, they do not delve deeply into specific issues or complexities. Instead, they serve as rallying cries that inspire and empower, highlighting the importance of self-confidence and resilience. This approach ensures that her feminist ideals are accessible and relatable to a wide audience, even if it means sacrificing some depth for the sake of clarity and universal appeal.
• In her works, we encounter the explicit expression of “fuck the patriarchy”, yet its scope remains too broad to effectively target any specific entity. Consequently, it primarily caters to the public’s desire for participatory engagement rather than presenting a focused critique
• The feminist themes presented in Swift’s work can be easily embraced by the Chinese audience as they do not challenge or oppose mainstream ideologies. This type of feminism, characterized by catchy slogans, aligns more with the ideology of personal growth and achievement rather than advocating against any specific group. In other words, they are characterized by the establishment of a secure space where females can freely express themselves. When audiences enthusiastically sing along to phrases like “fuck the patriarchy” during Swift’s performances, it becomes apparent that their actions are merely symbolic gestures without tangible impact.
• When a catchy song captures the attention of fans, they are often drawn to listen to it repeatedly. This repetitive exposure allows for a deeper exploration of the lyrics and opens up opportunities for discovering new perspectives or ideas embedded within the music. This process can be likened to a guerrilla war suggested by Fiske, where small acts gradually chip away at established norms or beliefs. As more individuals engage with these songs and delve into their meanings, there is potential for a greater impact on society as a whole.
• The mainstream reading of Swift’s star text is her heterosexual identity, yet queer fans resist this interpretation, transforming it into one that resonates with their own identities and experiences. This phenomenon is evident in both Western and Chinese contexts, where fans engage in similar practices of reinterpreting and reimagining Swift’s work. In China, the relative openness of discussions about Swift’s sexuality, despite stringent censorship on broader queer representation, highlights a unique space where fans can express their interpretations. This form of consumer resistance illustrates how fans, through their engagement and reinterpretation of Swift’s work, assert their agency and challenge dominant cultural narratives.

Conclusion

Swift serves as a cultural substitute for Chinese youth, providing the rebellious spirit and sense of understanding they crave. It becomes evident that she strives to position herself as a celebrity fighting for the rights of marginalized groups. However, it is also clear that her battle against patriarchy is limited, and the slogan-like culture she promotes may not translate into tangible changes in real life. However, In China, due to the specific situation, audiences have internalized scrutiny towards feminism and homosexuality. Her Chinese fans can be seen as embodying consumer resistance. They leverage their fandom to challenge and resist the restrictive norms imposed by society and official censorship.

Experience at MALCS

My year in MALCS was the pinnacle of my life, where I encountered extraordinary professors, met lifelong friends, and unearthed the best version of myself. I spent nights awake under the stars, savoring the salty air, and wandering through the endless realms of literature and film, searching for what could be, and what could never be. Every moment was a discovery, a quiet reverie, weaving together the threads of possibility and impossibility in a world both familiar and strange. MALCS left an indelible mark on me, like a deep imprint on my soul, shaping the way I see the world and the way I see myself, forever changing me in ways both subtle and profound.