"I never would have posted it under normal circumstances." The first TikTok that Ruby ever uploaded went unexpectedly viral. Swifties were enraged and intrigued by her theory that Taylor Swift's latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, wasn't about any of the pop star's ex-boyfriends - it was actually about the Modernist poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
But something else was happening in Ruby's life at the time. Her doctors had told her there was nothing else they could do for her, and that she was going to die at 29 years old. Ruby (who survived 2024 and is still here, doing great!) and I talk about the Modernists' sidelining of women, Taylor Swift's literary references, and turning to art when you're going through the very worst times.
You can find Ruby on TikTok as Literary.Luddite (tiktok.com/literary.luddite). And here's the TikTok that started it all: "The Tortured Poets Department is about Ted Hughes". tiktok.com/@literary.luddite/video/7360564340019268882?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7424335431385613830
Ruby's Linktree: linktr.ee/literaryluddite
Heroines by Kate Zambreno (2012). penguin.com.au/books/heroines-new-edition-9781635902082
To support this podcast and access bonus content (including bonus chat with Ruby), you can join my Patreon! Patreon.com/BlytheByName. Just A Spoonful merch on Redbubble! Search "BlytheByName". You can also hear me occasionally on the 3CR Community Radio show 'Breadline' talking about welfare issues: 3cr.org.au/Breadline
This episode was published on 13 August 2025.
Podcast artwork by Erin Michelle.
Just A Spoonful's theme music is 'Sleepless' by Anna O.
This podcast is created on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri People and I extend my respect to elders past and present.
