Education and Knowledge are power. Education entails not only learning from what is presented in the classroom, but also learning from personal experiences and the experiences of others. Education can provide the power to define one’s own life. In the novel Educated, Tara Westover realizes that she cannot be controlled forever. So therefore the theme of the novel is one must grow a sense of independence and identity or else one will always be treated with abuse and control.
Gene Westover and Shawn Westover, Tara Westover's father and brother, strive to control every area of her life and decisions, and they treat her like an object. Tara makes the decision that she wants to attend college and her dad states, “the Lord” is “displeased” with Tara’s decision to “whore after man’s knowledge,” and will soon incur God’s “wrath.” (Pg.133). Likewise, Tara Westover deals with her brother's abusive behavior. Shawn Westover demands she gets him a drink, and he states, “ Get it, or I won’t drive you to town tomorrow.”
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109). She, therefore, taunts him by throwing a glass of water over his head. Shawn then becomes enraged and harms Tara physically.
In her early years, Westover has many difficulties, and as she ages, she begins to learn more and develop her independence and sense of self. Westover lives in a Mormon home, the man is in authority, and she is isolated from the outside world. She doesn't attend school and lacks a birth certificate. As a result, Tara Westover learns from her father, Gene