Educated by Tara Westover is a powerful memoir detailing her journey from a survivalist upbringing in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. The narrative explores themes of education, family loyalty, and the struggle for self-invention. Westover's experiences highlight the transformative power of education and the conflicts that arise when one seeks knowledge outside familial expectations. This discussion guide provides insights and questions for readers to delve deeper into Westover's life and the impact of her choices. Ideal for book clubs and readers interested in personal growth and resilience.

Key Points

  • Explores Tara Westover's journey from rural Idaho to Cambridge University.
  • Discusses the impact of education on personal identity and family dynamics.
  • Includes discussion questions to facilitate deeper understanding of the memoir.
  • Analyzes the themes of rebellion and self-invention in Westover's life.
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DISCUSSION GUIDE
Educated
by Tara Westover
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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Reprinted from publisher.
Tara Westover was born in Idaho in 1986. She received her BA from Brigham Young University in 2008
and was subsequently awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. She earned an MPhil from Trinity
College, Cambridge, in 2009, and in 2010 was a visiting fellow at Harvard University. She returned to
Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD in history in 2014. Educated is her first book.
BOOK SUMMARY
An unforgettable memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and
goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.
Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the
mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and
sleeping with her “head-for-the-hills” bag. In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife
and healer, and in the winter she salvaged metal in her father’s junkyard.
Her father distrusted the medical establishment, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and
concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so
isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education,
and no one to intervene when an older brother became violent.
When another brother got himself into college and came back with news of the world beyond the
mountain, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. She taught herself enough mathematics, grammar,
and science to take the ACT and was admitted to Brigham Young University. There, she studied
psychology, politics, philosophy, and history, learning for the first time about pivotal world events like
the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her
over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she
wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty, and of the
grief that comes from severing ties with those closest to you. With the acute insight that distinguishes
all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what
an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one’s life through new eyes, and the will to
change it.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Tara Westover’s memoir recounts her life as the daughter of Mormon survivalist parents who leaves
rural Idaho to pursue an education. What do you think she’s referring to with the title Educated?
And what statement do you think the book makes on education at large?
2. Westover’s quest for an education is a dramatic rebellion by her father’s standards. How does her
rebellion differ from that of her older brother Tyler, if at all?
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3. Do you think being the youngest child in the family impacted Westover ultimately leaving her
family? Would it have made a difference if she’d been the oldest child?
4. Why is it significant that Westover didn’t know the word “holocaust” and had no knowledge of race
issues in the United States?
5. Which family member had the biggest influence on Westover’s quest for a different life? Which
non-family members were influential on her life?
6. Westover’s life changes dramatically thanks to an encouraging professor at Brigham Young
University. How might her life be different if she hadn’t applied for the study abroad program at
Cambridge University?
7. Westover eventually finds her voice and realizes it’s just as powerful as the people who have
influenced her life. What is voice, and how important is it that every child be encouraged to find
their own?
8. What impact does Westover’s pursuit of formal education have on her parents and family?
9. How does education change Westover’s view of her childhood? How does she come to terms with
how she was raised once she knows the value of education?
10. Westover makes great efforts to ensure the story is as objective as possible, including footnotes
where accounts of an event differ, or comparing her diary entries to her memory. As a reader, how
important is objectivity in this story, and more largely, in memoirs in general?
11. At 30, Westover is still relatively close in age to the events that occur in this book. How do you
think the memoir would be different were it written when Tara was significantly older and more
distanced from this time in her life? In what ways would it alter your interpretation of these
experiences?
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FAQs

What challenges did Tara Westover face in her education?
Tara Westover faced significant challenges in her education due to her upbringing in a survivalist family that distrusted formal schooling. She was not allowed to attend school until she was seventeen, and her family’s isolation meant she had no formal education or knowledge of the outside world. Despite these obstacles, she taught herself enough to take the ACT, gaining admission to Brigham Young University. This journey illustrates her determination to overcome her circumstances and pursue knowledge.
How does Westover's relationship with her family evolve throughout the memoir?
Westover's relationship with her family is complex and evolves significantly throughout her memoir. Initially, she feels a strong sense of loyalty to her family and their beliefs, but as she gains education and exposure to new ideas, she begins to question their values. This internal conflict leads to tension and estrangement, particularly with her father and some siblings who remain committed to their survivalist lifestyle. Ultimately, the memoir explores the grief and difficulty of severing ties with loved ones while seeking personal growth.
What role does education play in Westover's transformation?
Education plays a crucial role in Tara Westover's transformation from a survivalist upbringing to a well-educated individual. It opens her eyes to the world beyond her isolated childhood, allowing her to learn about history, politics, and social issues for the first time. This newfound knowledge not only empowers her but also challenges her previous beliefs and family dynamics. Westover's pursuit of education becomes a form of rebellion against her family's ideology and a pathway to self-discovery.
What significant events in Westover's life shaped her perspective on education?
Several significant events shaped Tara Westover's perspective on education, including her first exposure to a classroom at seventeen and her brother Tyler's experience in college. Tyler's return from school with stories of the outside world sparked Tara's curiosity and desire for knowledge. Additionally, her encounters with supportive professors at Brigham Young University, particularly one who encouraged her to apply for a study abroad program, were pivotal moments that influenced her educational journey and personal growth.
How does Westover address the theme of family loyalty in her memoir?
The theme of family loyalty is central to Westover's memoir, as she grapples with her deep-seated love for her family while pursuing her own path. Throughout the narrative, she reflects on the loyalty she feels towards her parents and siblings, even as their beliefs clash with her newfound understanding of the world. This tension highlights the emotional struggle of balancing familial bonds with the desire for independence and self-identity, ultimately leading to difficult choices about her relationships.
What insights does Westover provide about the value of education?
Westover provides profound insights about the value of education, emphasizing its role in personal empowerment and transformation. She illustrates how education can broaden one's perspective, challenge ingrained beliefs, and foster critical thinking. Through her own journey, she demonstrates that education is not merely about acquiring knowledge but also about understanding oneself and the world. Her memoir serves as a testament to the idea that education can be a powerful tool for change and self-invention.
What impact did Westover's upbringing have on her worldview?
Westover's upbringing in a survivalist family profoundly impacted her worldview, shaping her initial beliefs and understanding of reality. Growing up without formal education, she was taught to distrust mainstream society and its institutions, including education and healthcare. This perspective limited her understanding of the world until she began her educational journey, which challenged her previous notions and opened her eyes to new ideas and experiences. Her memoir illustrates the transformative power of education in reshaping one's worldview.

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