Materials
- Anti-Hero Lyrics at Genius.com (line-by-line annotations)
- Anti-Hero (song) – Wikipedia
- Go Behind the Meaning of the New Taylor Swift Single, “Anti-Hero”
- Taylorswift.com
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about this song? The music, the meaning, and/or the video?
- How does this song make you feel? What do you think it is about?
- Taylor Swift has had tremendous success in her life but is still full of self-doubt, anxiety, and insecurity. Why do you think that is?
- In what ways have you experienced self-doubt, anxiety, and insecurity? How did you deal with those situations?
- Do you ever have insomnia? What causes it? What do you do when ‘midnights become your afternoons”?
- As a public figure, the media and people talk a lot about Taylor Swift, sometimes in a critical or judgemental way. Do you ever feel like people are criticizing or judging you? How do you deal with it?
- Are you narcissistic in any way? How so? In what ways are you altruistic?
- How do you feel when you look in the mirror? Do you ever talk to the person in the mirror? (judging, encouraging, observing, etc.)
- Why do you think this song is called ‘Anti-hero’?
- Do you think Taylor is more of a hero or anti-hero?
- Who are your heroes and anti-heroes?
- What do you think about this song?
- What do you think of Taylor Swift? As a person? a singer-songwriter? A business person?
- Have you ever ghosted someone? Been ghosted?
- Would you want to work a ‘graveyard shift’?
- What are your vices?
- Where do you want your money to go after you die?
Vocabulary
- Anti-hero i(: 반전 영웅) a main character in a story who lacks traditional heroic qualities such as courage, morality, or idealism.
Walter White from the TV show Breaking Bad is an example of an anti-hero, as he is a high school chemistry teacher turned drug lord who is not a traditionally moral or heroic character. - Have this thing (이게 있다): To have something that is difficult to describe or explain.
I don’t know what it is about her, but she just has this thing that makes her stand out.
- Graveyard shift (야간 근무): A work shift that takes place during the night.
I’m so tired from working the graveyard shift last night.
- To ghost someone (연락을 끊다): To suddenly stop communicating with someone without any explanation.
I thought we had a great date, but then he ghosted me and I never heard from him again.
- Left to my own devices (혼자서): To be left alone to do something without any help or guidance.
I’m not sure what to do next – I guess I’ll just be left to my own devices.
- Vices (악습): Habits or behaviors that are considered immoral or harmful.
Smoking and drinking are two of his biggest vices.
- Scheming (음모를 꾸미는): Planning or plotting something in a secretive or underhanded way.
She’s always scheming and trying to get ahead at work.
- Rooting for (응원하다): To support or cheer for someone.
I’m rooting for my favorite team to win the championship this year.
- Lurching (비틀거리는): Moving in an unsteady or jerky way.
The boat was lurching back and forth in the rough waves.
- Pierced (꿰뚫은): Having a hole made through something with a sharp object.
She has several piercings in her ears and nose.
- Covert (비밀의): Secret or hidden; not openly acknowledged or displayed.
The spy was working on a covert mission behind enemy lines.
- Narcissism (자기 애착): Excessive self-love or admiration; an inflated sense of self-importance.
His narcissism made it difficult for him to form meaningful relationships with others.
- Disguise (위장): A costume or other means of concealing one’s true identity.
He wore a disguise so that no one would recognize him at the party.
- Altruism (이타적인 행동): Selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfishness.
Her altruism led her to volunteer at the homeless shelter every week.
- A will (유언장): A legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their property after they die.
He wrote a will so that his family would know how to divide his estate after he passed away.
- Correlation (상관 관계): A mutual relationship between two or more things; a connection between variables.
There is a strong correlation between smoking and lung cancer.
- Downside (단점): The negative aspects of something; disadvantages.
The downside of living in the city is that it can be very noisy and crowded.
- Sentiments (감정): Feelings or emotions; opinions or attitudes toward something.
Her sentiments about the movie were mixed – she liked some parts but not others.
- To be spiraling (망상하다): To be rapidly losing control of one’s life or situation; to be heading toward disaster.
After losing his job and getting divorced, he felt like his life was spiraling out of control.
- Self-loathing (자신 혐오감): Intense dislike or hatred of oneself; feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy.
Her self-loathing made it difficult for her to form healthy relationships with others.
- Flaws (결함): Imperfections or weaknesses; defects in character or design.
Everyone has flaws – it’s what makes us human. - Shortcomings (부족한 점): Failings or deficiencies; areas where one falls short of expectations.
Despite his many talents, he still had some shortcomings that he needed to work on. - Assets (자산): Resources or qualities that are considered valuable; things that are owned by a person or organization.
The company’s assets include several buildings and a fleet of vehicles. - Reputation (평 판): The beliefs or opinions that people have about someone or something; the way in which someone or something is regarded by others.
His reputation as a hard worker and a good leader was well-known throughout the company.
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