Educated, by Tara Westover, chronicles her unusual upbringing with her zealously religious family in rural Idaho. Although her parents isolate her and her siblings from society, her fight for knowledge leads her to college, exposing her to a more mainstream lifestyle—a stark contrast to her childhood. Although her experience is unique, her resilience, struggles with identity, and hunger for an education will resonate with any student.
Westover’s recollection of her family’s influence on her young life makes Educated a great introduction to the memoir genre. Besides writing her story, Westover has been featured in multiple interviews that students can compare and contrast with her written story. Encourage students to research Mormonism, survivalists, and other aspects of Westover’s life that shaped her, comparing those with their own life experiences. Assign students to write their own mini-memoirs about an experience they feel shaped their identity in an impactful way.
Westover characterizes her family by tackling their motivations, beliefs, mental illnesses, and relationships with one another and the outside world. Although they are real people, Westover’s portrayal of them makes them characters in her life journey. Students can explore the complicated relationship between Westover and the two antagonists in her life—her father and brother. Have students create a character map highlighting how each of her siblings shaped her and her relationship with education.
Although Educated is the true story of Westover’s childhood, prevalent motifs and symbols pop up again and again throughout her story. As students read, encourage them to highlight passages focusing on education, injuries she and her family members sustain, descriptions of the mountain she calls home, and her family’s religion and survivalism. All of these repeated motifs shift Westover’s perception of her identity over time, shaping her into a resilient person of her own making.
Become Educated about more great ways to teach Tara Westover’s memoir below!
Educated
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Summary of Educated
Key Facts
- Publication Date: 2018
- Length: 368 pages
- Lexile Measure: 870L
- Recommended Grade Band: 11–12
- Awards: Alex Award, American Booksellers Association Nonfiction Book of the Year
In Educated, Tara Westover recounts her life as a member of a survivalist family, growing up without formal education or modern healthcare. Her father, Gene, mistrusts the government and anyone who doesn’t adhere to his strict standards, forcing his family to follow suit. One of Westover’s older brothers, Shawn, a troubled, angry man, returns home, leading to a complicated and abusive relationship between the two of them.
Although she seems to accept the life her parents want for her, Westover’s other brother, Tyler, encourages her to apply for college. Despite her lack of education, she studies hard for the ACTs and is accepted into Brigham Young University. It is this huge step that leads her to Cambridge University and beyond, opening up a thrilling new world of possibilities. However, the more she integrates knowledge into her life—and gains distance from her home—the harder it is for Westover to keep denying her difficult history with her family.
Content Warning: Educated depicts abuse, some violence, and offensive language, including racial slurs.
What Your Students Will Love About Educated
- Westover’s resilience and determination to gain an education
- Relatable themes about identity and what it means to grow up
Potential Student Struggles with Educated
- Westover’s unusual upbringing in a survivalist family
- Sensitive topics, such as mental and physical abuse
- Westover’s conflicting feelings about the role religion played in her life
Learning Objectives for Educated
- Analyze Westover’s language as she struggles between loyalty to her family and her quest for knowledge
- Discuss the complicated relationship between Westover and her family
- Examine motifs and symbols that shape Westover’s perception of her life and relationships
- Explore themes of education, identity, and resilience
- Identify various types of figurative language and allusions
Literary Elements in Educated
- Allusion
- Figurative Language
- Imagery
- Metaphor
- Motif
- Personification
- Point of View
- Simile
- Symbolism
- Theme
Major Themes in Educated
Identity — Westover grapples with her identity, conflicted between being a faithful, devoted Mormon daughter and an accomplished, worldly adult.
Related Works:
Education — Westover feels increasingly empowered as she strives to pursue her education.
Related Works:
Overcoming Adversity — Westover escapes her brother’s abuse and father’s negligence through education and tenacity.
Related Works:
Other Resources for Educated
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