Educated: A Memoir, Tara Westover
Educated, Tara Westover, is an inspirational, autobiographical memoir that takes us on a journey through a highly dysfunctional, fundamentalist and, at times, abusive upbringing to an ivy league education.
Westover, the youngest of seven children, was raised in an isolated, mountainous area in Idaho. Her Mormon parents, “Gene” and “Faye” were radical survivalists. Gene had a paranoid conviction that government officials were plotting against him, and responded by readying supplies and making preparations for an FBI siege. Fearing that the educational system was all about brainwashing, public school was forbidden and the Westover children were homeschooled. The children were birthed at home because their parents rejected the medical establishment. Faye, a holistic herbalist, treated every injury and illness with herbal remedies. The children were repeatedly denied medical care of any kind, even in serious, life-threatening situations.
Tara spent much of her childhood assisting her mother with herbs, and tending to the dangerous work in her father’s junk yard. During her teens, she endured physical abuse from her brother, “Shawn”, who took pleasure in repeatedly humiliating and beating her. Although Tara’s parents were made aware of the abuse, they refused to intervene on her behalf and at times, wouldn’t even acknowledge that it happened.
When Tara made a decision at 16 to properly educate herself, she got ahold of a study guide, devoured the contents, and against all odds, passed the ACT exam. From there, she was accepted to Brigham Young University. Despite her father’s staunch disapproval, Tara held her ground and left the only world she ever knew. After 17 years of never stepping foot in a classroom, Tara started college. She soon discovered, however, that the path between her sheltered existence and the educated world would prove bumpy. Being part a large university with no real world exposure was a challenge to say the least, and she embarrassed herself on more than few occasions. Westover recalled a lecture in which she innocently raised her hand and asked what the Holocaust was, which infuriated people because they thought she was intentionally denying it. Her roommates took issue with her lack of hygiene when she continually neglected to wash her hands after using the bathroom. Even years later, as her education continued and she climbed the ladder to the ivy leagues, she still struggled with the refined settings – evident by her lack of proper attire at formal gatherings. She had to learn and grow over time, all while battling an inner struggle between embracing her new life and remaining loyal to her roots and to the family that betrayed her on so many levels.
The themes! Oh, the themes! Where shall I begin? Social hierarchy and class distinction, mental illness, family values, abuse, and of course, education. Education is a means to self improvement, but it can draw a dividing line between two completely worlds. It seems that her parents felt threatened by Tara’s achievements and independence. I wonder if this comes from a loss of control, their irrational fear of the outside world, or perhaps even selfishness (don’t better yourself so I can feel better about myself). Still, it is difficult to grapple with parents who intentionally hold their children back, or reject them for choosing their own path. In Westover’s case, it seems that the parents were so terrified of anything outside of their own existence, but yet they ignored the many real dangers right inside their own home.
While much of Educated accounts Gene’s mental illness and extremism, I was most taken aback by Faye’s refusal to protect Tara. With motherhood comes a primal urge, as well as a responsibility, to protect one’s child. When Tara confronted Faye about her physically abusive brother, Faye allowed the abuse to continue, and even downplayed it in order to protect (and enable) the abuser. History was rewritten at the expense of the victim, as is so often the case in highly dysfunctional families.
When Westover transitioned into the ivy league world, there was such a contrast between her own background and that of her new peer group. Social hierarchy and class distinction are always alive and well. When she found herself among the wealthy and extremely well bred, she had to adapt, navigate and learn. Refusing to return to the familiar, she persevered and earned her place among those in her new surroundings – but against much greater odds.
Tara Westover did a brilliant job of taking the reader through her journey and transformation. Educated is well balanced, well written, and flowed beautifully from start to finish. She is an inspiration and reminds us that there are no excuses for not rising above a challenging situation and succeeding. Westover’s journey has earned her the respect of highly successful and influential people (Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey to name just a couple). I highly recommend this memoir. Grab a copy and enjoy it. You won’t regret it!
Note: To be fair, some members of the Westover family have disputed Educated and denied Tara’s account of their family life.
“An education is not so much about making a living as making a person.” – Tara Westover
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