Educated by Tara Westover

Summary

Educated by Tara Westover is a memoir recounting the author's journey from growing up in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Denied formal education as a child, Westover teaches herself enough to pass college entrance exams, embarking on a transformative learning path. The book explores themes of family loyalty, self-discovery, and the power and pain of leaving behind one's roots. It is a story of resilience, questioning, and the struggle to reconcile one's identity with the unfamiliar world of academia. Through vivid storytelling, Westover examines the conflicting pulls of family, belief, and independent thought.

Life-Changing Lessons

1. Education empowers individuals to break free from restrictive environments and redefine their lives.

2. Personal growth often requires the courage to question and distance oneself from harmful beliefs or relationships.

3. Self-acceptance and truth-telling, even when painful, are crucial steps toward healing and transformation.

Publishing year and rating

The book was published in: 2018

AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 93

Practical Examples

1. Tara is kept out of school as a child.

   Tara Westover grows up in a family that is deeply suspicious of formal education, public institutions, and mainstream society. Her parents, especially her father, insist that she remain at home and help with her family’s farm and junkyard instead of attending school. Tara’s lack of formal education leaves her isolated and unaware of basic knowledge children her age possess.

2. Teaching herself to pass the ACT.

   Driven by a desire to pursue college, Tara realizes she must overcome her educational deficiencies. She undertakes the challenge of teaching herself algebra, grammar, and other subjects using old textbooks and by seeking help from her older brother. Her determination and hard work lead her to successfully pass the ACT, earning her admission to Brigham Young University.

3. Physical and emotional abuse from her brother Shawn.

   Throughout her adolescence, Tara experiences physical and psychological abuse from her brother Shawn. She struggles to name and confront the abuse, which is ignored or justified by family members. This conflict profoundly affects Tara’s sense of self-worth and prompts her to question her family's beliefs and loyalty.

4. Academic challenges and self-doubt at BYU.

   When Tara arrives at Brigham Young University, she faces daunting academic gaps compared to other students, such as not knowing about the Holocaust. Her initial experiences are marked by confusion, embarrassment, and self-doubt, but she pushes through with the help of supportive professors and friends, demonstrating significant personal growth.

5. Studying abroad at Cambridge.

   Tara's academic success eventually leads her to an opportunity to study at Cambridge University. There, she meets mentors who encourage her critical thinking and questioning of her past. Cambridge serves as a pivotal environment where Tara is able to intellectually thrive and begin to understand the complexities of her upbringing.

6. Confronting her parents about her brother's abuse.

   Tara tries to address the issue of her brother Shawn's abuse with her parents, hoping for understanding and support. Unfortunately, her parents dismiss her accounts and side with Shawn, exacerbating Tara’s emotional struggle and contributing to her estrangement from the family. This confrontation highlights the theme of choosing truth over family loyalty.

7. Rejecting her father's worldview.

   As Tara becomes more educated, she realizes the extent to which her father's paranoia and dogmatism shaped her worldview and limited her opportunities. She begins to question and ultimately reject his version of reality, choosing instead to seek knowledge and experiences outside her family's closed circle. This rejection is painful but necessary for her personal freedom.

8. Pursuing higher education despite uncertainty.

   Facing enormous obstacles—social, financial, and emotional—Tara perseveres through college and graduate school. Her journey is marked by fear of failure and identity loss, yet she continues forward, demonstrating resilience and tenacity. These experiences underscore her commitment to self-improvement and learning.