TL;DR
Educated is a remarkable memoir that chronicles Tara Westover’s extraordinary journey from a survivalist upbringing in the mountains of Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Raised in a family that rejected public education and modern medicine, Tara spent her childhood preparing for the end of the world, working in her father’s junkyard, and being homeschooled sporadically by her mother. At seventeen, she decided to educate herself, embarking on a path that led her to Brigham Young University and eventually across the ocean to Cambridge. The book explores themes of family, self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of education.
Table of contents
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Author & Writing Background
Tara Westover was born in Idaho to survivalist parents who distrusted the government and public education. She spent her childhood working in her father’s junkyard and was homeschooled by her mother. At seventeen, she decided to educate herself and eventually earned a PhD in history from Cambridge University. Educated is her first book and has become an international bestseller, translated into over 40 languages.
Key Takeaways
An Unconventional Upbringing
Tara grew up isolated from mainstream society, with limited access to education and healthcare. Her family adhered to strict religious beliefs and survivalist practices, which shaped her early worldview.
The Power of Self-Education
Despite her lack of formal schooling, Tara’s thirst for knowledge led her to teach herself subjects like math, science, and history, eventually gaining admission to Brigham Young University.
Confronting Family Conflict
As Tara’s education broadened her perspective, she began to question her family’s beliefs and the abuse she and her siblings endured, leading to painful estrangement and self-discovery.
Navigating Academia
Tara’s journey through higher education was challenging as she grappled with imposter syndrome, cultural differences, and the complexities of academic life.
The Importance of Critical Thinking
Through education, Tara developed critical thinking skills that allowed her to question her upbringing and form her own opinions, ultimately leading to greater independence and self-awareness.
Trauma and Healing
The memoir explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the complex process of healing and reconciliation.
The Search for Identity
Tara’s story is a powerful exploration of identity formation and the struggle to reconcile one’s past with their present and future aspirations.
The Transformative Power of Education
Educated underscores the idea that education is not merely about acquiring knowledge but about expanding one’s understanding of the world and oneself, leading to personal growth and empowerment.
FAQ about Educated
Educated Quotes
- “The decisions I made after that moment were not the ones she would have made. They were the choices of a changed person, a new self. You could call this selfhood many things. Transformation. Metamorphosis. Falsity. Betrayal. I call it an education.”
- “I had started to become aware of the chasm between the world I’d grown up in and the world that existed beyond the mountain.”
- “You are not fool’s gold, shining only under a particular light. Whomever you become, whatever you make yourself into, that is who you always were. It was always in you.”