The Value Of Nonconformity In Tara Westover's Educated

On this Earth, there are no two people that are the same. Every person is different and will have a different way of thinking. However, many are willing to silence their opinion to fit in with others. Each person should not be inclined to conform with others and should not be afraid to stand out. While some may believe that irregularity will destroy confidence, there is value in nonconformity as it helps fuel personal growth and promotes individuality. Tara Westover’s memoir, “Educated,” shows this through how she changes throughout the story.
Although some argue that nonconformity will lead to a lack of self-confidence, differing from others will increase self-confidence if done purposefully. Even though one would have to go against “a world

This toughness is shown by Tara, as even with ulcers and tooth problems, she works multiple jobs to pay for college and

It allowed her to grow from somebody whose life was “narrated for … by others” with “forceful, emphatic, absolute” voices to somebody who realizes their “voice might be as strong as theirs” (Westover 197). Nonconformity is essential because it acts as a catalyst for individuality, as one who chooses not to conform will be true to themselves regardless of what others think. If one had a high sense of identity, they would be able to “[enjoy] free choice and [a] strong sense of self-efficacy” (Ogihara and Uchida). These benefits show in Tara as she changes from someone who believed that “[her] father’s words ought to be [her] own” (Westover 172) to somebody who learned to make decisions “for [her] own sake. Because of [her], not because of [her father]” (Westover 328). Since identity is vital to self-thinking and freedom, unorthodoxy has value as it gives birth to