Tara Westover’s Educated intricately weaves together the threads of identity, family, education, and self-discovery into a thought-provoking memoir. Set against the backdrop of an upbringing in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho, Westover’s journey toward self-realization is an exploration of growth and selfhood. 

At the heart of Westwood’s story lies the theme of how our backgrounds shape our perceptions and identities. During her childhood, public education was viewed with suspicion and familial bonds were deeply entwined with loyalty and tradition. Raised in an environment where questioning authority was discouraged and conformity was prized, Westover grappled with the tension between her familial obligations and her desire for self-actualization through education. 

Westover makes us question how much of ourselves we should sacrifice for the sake of familial loyalty. Should we betray our family to pursue our own path to maturity? Or should we betray ourselves? 

All too eager to “grow up”, I traded quality time with friends for conversing at the adult table and family movie nights for classes; I neglected my childhood, all in the name of “growing up”. Throughout middle school I isolated myself from my friends and family, joining as many clubs as I could, playing as many sports as the season allowed, ignoring my several burnouts, and promising myself that it would all be worth it in the end. As validating as academic success was, nothing will make up for the birthdays I missed or events I canceled. In middle school, I envied the “cool” high schoolers, and for the rest of high school, I’ll spend my days worrying about college applications. But what happens, after all that? What happens when we grow up, when we’ve found our jobs and settled down? Will we regret repudiating our family, rejecting our friends, and sacrificing precious childhood memories to a deception of a future that no one can be sure of? These thoughts have continued to haunt me after reading Westover’s memoir. 

Amidst the turmoil of familial discord and self-discovery, Educated offers a message of empowerment and resilience. Westover’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance in overcoming adversity and actualizing self-determination. College was the first time she’d been in a classroom, but she earned a PhD from Cambridge and a Harvard fellowship. Her father’s opposition to her pursuit of a traditional education highlighted the conflict between her personal ambition and familial allegiance.

Through Westover’s candid and introspective narrative, readers are prompted to confront their own assumptions and biases while recognizing the transformative power of education. Ultimately, Educated reminds us that while our backgrounds may shape who we are, it is our choices and actions that define us and determine our future.