Educated: A Summary of Tara Westover's Journey of Self-Discovery

Tara Westover's memoir, Educated, published in 2018, recounts her extraordinary journey from a childhood in rural Idaho, isolated from mainstream society, to earning a PhD from the University of Cambridge. It's a coming-of-age story about the struggle to establish one's identity against tremendous odds, rooted in family indoctrination.

A Childhood Apart

Westover was born into a strict Mormon family in the mountains of Idaho. Her survivalist father, whom she refers to pseudonymously as Gene, distrusted the government, public education, and the medical establishment, believing them to be under the control of socialists, the Illuminati, and the devil. Consequently, Tara and her siblings had limited educational opportunities and were primarily homeschooled by their mother, Faye.

The family lived in isolation on Buck's Peak, where Gene ran a junkyard. He was paranoid about hospitals, public education, and the government, partly due to the siege at Ruby Ridge. Faye homeschooled the Westover children, but their education was often inconsistent and secondary to their work in the junkyard.

Westover's early life was marked by a lack of formal education, no birth certificates for some of her siblings, and a reliance on home remedies even for life-threatening injuries. A significant moment occurred when her mother finally filed the paperwork for her birth certificate when Westover was nine years old, highlighting the family's detachment from mainstream society.

The Seeds of Change

Despite her father's opposition, Westover's older brother, Tyler, pursued a college education, inspiring her to do the same. She studied independently to take the ACT and was eventually admitted to Brigham Young University (BYU) on a scholarship.

At BYU, Westover faced significant challenges due to her lack of formal schooling and alienation from the outside world. She struggled to keep up with her peers and experienced culture shock, realizing how much she didn't know about the world. Maintaining her grades to keep her scholarship proved stressful.

Education as Liberation

Westover's memoir dramatizes the contrasting philosophies of education. Her parents insisted on training her to follow in their footsteps (educare), but she managed to break away and craft her own knowledge (educere). Her transformation raises questions about how a person is truly educated and whether innate brilliance needs only to be directed and "led out."

Exposure to theories of human psychology led Westover to wonder if her father suffered from bipolar disorder, though her suspicions remained largely unexamined in the book.

Navigating Family Dynamics

Westover's relationship with her family was complex and often fraught with conflict. Her brother Shawn was initially supportive but later became physically and emotionally abusive. Another brother, Tyler, encouraged her to leave home and pursue education.

After Shawn married Emily, Westover worried about her safety, as Emily had previously expressed fear of Shawn. She confided in one of her professors about her family's background, who encouraged her to apply for a study abroad program at Cambridge.

Triumph and Estrangement

Westover's academic journey took her to King's College, Cambridge, where she thrived under the guidance of Professor Jonathan Steinberg. Her professors encouraged her to attend graduate school, and she won the prestigious Gates Scholarship.

Despite her academic success, Westover's relationship with her family continued to deteriorate. She confronted her parents about Shawn's abuse, but they refused to believe her. Her sister, Audrey, initially supported her but later cut ties, claiming Westover was under Satan's control.

After returning home, Westover discovered that Erin, one of Shawn's ex-girlfriends, had written to Faye, stating that she was delusional and demonizing her brother. Shawn also threatened Westover's life.

A PhD and Lingering Questions

Despite the turmoil in her personal life, Westover persevered and completed her PhD degree. She returned to Idaho for her maternal grandmother's funeral, reuniting with some family members, but remained estranged from her parents and Shawn.

The book concludes with Westover reflecting on her fractured family and the price she paid for her education. The funeral marked the last time she saw her parents.

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Family's Perspective

LaRee Westover, Tara's mother, wrote a book called "Educating," partially in response to "Educated". LaRee's book attempts to discredit her daughter's experiences and rewrite history. It portrays the Westover family as wonderful and perfect, downplaying any abuse or dysfunction.

Tyler Westover's wife, who was a member of the family during many of the events described in both books, stated that she was physically present when Travis (Shawn) treated his girlfriends in despicable ways. She also noted that LaRee had a pathological way of excusing his behaviors.

Themes and Legacy

Educated explores themes of family, loyalty, memory, and the transformative power of education. Westover's journey highlights the importance of education in enlarging one's world and the challenges of breaking free from a restrictive upbringing.

The book has received critical acclaim and has been praised for its honest and compelling narrative. It has been included on numerous "best of" lists and has been recommended by prominent figures such as Barack Obama and Bill Gates.

Criticisms and Controversies

Despite its success, Educated has also faced criticism. Some family members have disputed Westover's portrayal of her upbringing, accusing her of exaggerating or fabricating events.

LaRee Westover's book, "Educating," has been widely criticized as a self-righteous and dishonest attempt to discredit her daughter's story. Critics have noted its poor writing quality and its gaslighting of abuse victims.

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