how did it end taylor swift

The song "How Did It End?" by Taylor Swift explores the emotional aftermath of a breakup, using metaphors of death and dying to describe the slow breakdown of a relationship. It portrays the narrator's grief, confusion, and bewilderment as she tries to figure out how and why the love ended while also addressing the public's fascination with the private details of her life. The narrative reflects a "post-mortem" examination of the relationship, highlighting the incurable "maladies" or problems that led to the split. The song is believed to be inspired by Taylor's breakup with Joe Alwyn after a six-year relationship but resonates more broadly with the pain and unresolved questions that come with any lost love. Ultimately, the song expresses that sometimes there is no clear understanding of how a relationship ends, especially when it unfolds under public scrutiny. Key metaphors include a "hot house flower" vs. "outdoorsman," symbolizing the differences between the two lovers, and imagery related to death like "death rattle breathing silenced," illustrating emotional death. The song ends with a plea for empathy rather than gossip, underscoring that the narrator still doesn't fully understand how it ended despite the public's need for answers.