"Educated" by Tara Westover is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir that explores the themes of education, family, trauma, and identity. Here are some notable quotes from the book:
1. "I was born into a family of survivalists who believed that the end of the world was near, and I was born with no name, no birth certificate, and no record of my existence."
(Tara Westover reflects on her childhood without formal education or official records)
2. "The absence of words is not an indication of silence. The absence of words is the presence of a thousand unspoken things."
(Tara Westover describes the difficulty of communicating with her family, who didn't speak English as their first language)
3. "I knew that I was different from my parents and siblings because they had been educated, whereas I had not. And in our culture, education was a kind of magic that could be used to make people smarter or dumber."
(Tara Westover begins to realize the significance of formal education)
4. "The truth is that there are only two ways to learn: by learning from others or by learning from your own mistakes."
(Tara Westover reflects on her self-taught education and the importance of learning from one's experiences)
5. "I was a person without a history, a blank page waiting for someone else to write on it. And that was true not just of my past but also of my future."
(Tara Westover grapples with her lack of formal education and her desire to create a new identity for herself)
6. "The only way to learn is by doing, and the only way to do is by actually doing it."
(Tara Westover emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and taking action)
7. "I had always believed that my family's isolation was a choice, but as I read more about the history of the United States, I began to realize that our isolation was not unique – it was part of a larger pattern of exclusion."
(Tara Westover begins to understand the broader historical context of her family's experiences)
8. "The most important thing I learned from my father is that education can be a powerful tool for change."
(Tara Westover reflects on the lessons she learned from her father, who eventually encouraged her to pursue formal education)
9. "I was not born with a sense of belonging – I had to create it myself through education and experience."
(Tara Westover emphasizes the importance of self-creation and finding one's own sense of belonging)
10. "Education is not just about what you learn in school; it's also about what you unlearn, and what you learn outside of school."
(Tara Westover highlights the broader definition of education and the importance of learning beyond formal schooling)
These quotes capture some of the key themes and ideas explored in "Educated," including the power of education, self-creation, and personal growth.
"Educated" by Tara Westover is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir. Here are some notable quotes from the book, along with their corresponding page numbers:
**On Education**
* "The only thing I knew was that I didn't know anything." (Page 25)
* "I had been educated at home, but my education had not prepared me for this." (Page 45)
**On Identity and Self-Discovery**
* "I had grown up in a world without clocks or calendars, where time was measured by the rising and setting of the sun." (Page 33)
* "In the years that followed, I would come to understand that my identity was not fixed; it was a work in progress." (Page 121)
**On Family and Relationships**
* "My parents had never intended for me to be educated. They had assumed that I would learn what I needed to know by working alongside them." (Page 20)
* "I had always known that my family's way of life was not the norm, but it wasn't until I left that I realized just how extraordinary we were." (Page 150)
**On Mental and Emotional Well-being**
* "The trauma I had experienced in childhood was not something I could simply 'get over.' It was a wound that would take years to heal." (Page 163)
* "I had been living in a world where I was constantly on guard, where my senses were heightened because of the constant threat of violence." (Page 185)
**On Resilience and Perseverance**
* "I knew that if I could just get through this one day, I might be able to make it through the next." (Page 101)
* "The only way I had learned to cope with my circumstances was by pushing forward, by moving from one difficult situation to the next." (Page 220)
Please note that page numbers may vary depending on the edition of the book you're reading.
Tara Westover's memoir "Educated" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores themes of identity, family, faith, and the power of education. Here are some quotes about life from the book:
1. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - This quote highlights the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
2. "I knew that I had been given a great gift: to be born into this world with the potential to learn, to grow, and to become something more than what I was."
3. "The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will'."
4. "To be educated was not just to be informed; it was to be reformed." - This quote highlights the transformative power of education, which can help individuals develop new perspectives and values.
5. "The only way we can make sense out of chaos is to find an underlying order, or create one." - This quote suggests that in times of uncertainty, we must seek or create meaning in order to move forward.
6. "I had come to understand that the greatest mysteries were not those that lay beyond us, but those that lay within."
7. "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places." - This quote is a reference to Kahlil Gibran's poem "On Children," and suggests that adversity can be an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
8. "The only way we can make sense out of chaos is to find an underlying order, or create one."
9. "I had come to believe that the only way to truly live was to fully inhabit each moment, to let go of fear and doubt, and to follow my heart."
10. "I knew that I had been given a second chance, and that I would not waste it."
"Educated" by Tara Westover is a memoir that has garnered widespread attention and acclaim. Here are some important quotes from the book:
1. "I was born to share my story." - This quote reflects Tara's determination to share her experiences with others, despite the challenges she faced.
2. "My mother had never sought to impose upon me the values of our culture. She had merely assumed that they were mine." - This quote highlights how Tara grew up without formal education or exposure to outside world, and her mother didn't intentionally try to influence her worldview.
3. "I was a child who had learned that the world was an inherently hostile place... And so I did my best to avoid it." - This quote shows how Tara's upbringing led her to believe that the world is dangerous, and she tried to protect herself by avoiding it.
4. "The price of survival was not just physical labor but also mental discipline: one had to be able to ignore the discomfort, the pain, and the fear." - This quote emphasizes the physical and emotional toll Tara faced in her childhood, where she learned to prioritize survival over well-being.
5. "I did not know that I was being educated; I only knew that my mother was making me do things that were hard for me." - This quote illustrates how Tara didn't initially recognize the importance of education or understand its value, but rather saw it as an unpleasant task imposed by her mother.
6. "What is the purpose of education if not to prepare us for the world?" - This quote highlights Tara's gradual understanding of the significance of education in preparing her for life beyond her isolated upbringing.
7. "The question wasn't whether I would survive; it was how I would live." - This quote marks a turning point in Tara's journey, as she begins to focus on living a fulfilling life rather than just surviving.
8. "I had been so focused on escaping my past that I had forgotten to think about the future." - This quote shows how Tara initially struggled with moving forward and planning for her future after leaving her family and their isolated lifestyle behind.
These quotes capture some of the most important themes in "Educated", including Tara's journey towards self-discovery, education, and personal growth.
The first chapter of Tara Westover's memoir "Educated" is a powerful and thought-provoking start to the book. Here are some quotes from Chapter 1 that stood out:
* "I grew up in the mountains of Idaho, where my family was trying to survive, not thrive." - This quote sets the tone for the chapter and the rest of the book, highlighting the challenges Tara's family faced as part of a survivalist community.
* "My father believed that everyone on earth had been created by God for some specific purpose. He was sure that we were all supposed to be somewhere else." - This quote gives insight into Tara's father's beliefs and how they influenced their daily lives.
* "I knew I wasn't like the other kids in town... I didn't know how to read or write, not a single word." - This quote is a powerful reflection of Tara's feelings of inadequacy and isolation from mainstream society.
The first chapter also sets the stage for the rest of the book by introducing key themes such as:
* The tension between family loyalty and personal ambition
* The struggle to reconcile fundamentalist beliefs with the harsh realities of life
* The power of education in shaping one's identity and worldview
Overall, Chapter 1 is a compelling introduction to Tara Westover's story, which explores the complexities of growing up off the grid, seeking an education, and finding one's place in the world.
I love that quote!
"An education is not so much about making a living as making a person" is a profound statement that highlights the true value of education. It's not just about preparing students for a specific career or job, but rather about cultivating their minds, characters, and abilities to make them well-rounded, thoughtful, and compassionate individuals.
This quote resonates with me because it emphasizes the importance of education in shaping our values, empathy, and sense of purpose. Education is not just about acquiring knowledge or skills; it's also about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that enable us to navigate the complexities of life.
In today's fast-paced world, where technology is constantly evolving and jobs are becoming increasingly specialized, an education that focuses solely on preparing students for a specific career may not be enough. We need individuals who can think critically, adapt to new situations, and make informed decisions.
Moreover, this quote suggests that the purpose of education goes beyond just personal gain or economic success. It's about creating individuals who are equipped to make a positive impact in their communities, society, and the world at large.
As you said, an education is not so much about making a living as making a person. It's about empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to lead fulfilling lives and contribute positively to society.
Tara Westover's memoir "Educated" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores her experiences growing up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, where she was born at home and raised outside of mainstream society. The book delves into themes of abuse, trauma, and the effects of childhood experiences on one's life.
Here are some quotes from "Educated" related to abuse:
1. "I'd learned that violence was a fact of life, that it was something you endured... But I'd also seen that violence could be a form of control, a way to dominate and intimidate." (Chapter 4)
This quote highlights the normalization of physical violence in Tara's childhood, which was a coping mechanism used by her family members.
2. "My mother had always been violent when she drank... She would hit me, or my brothers, or sometimes just scream at us until we left the room." (Chapter 6)
This passage illustrates the emotional and physical abuse Tara suffered at the hands of her mother, which was often linked to her drinking habits.
3. "I'd learned that I was not a person who could be hurt... That I was too tough, too resilient... But that was a lie." (Chapter 7)
Tara's experiences have led her to believe she is immune to emotional pain and trauma, but this quote shows the devastating effects of abuse on her mental health.
4. "The only way I knew how to process my feelings was to push them away... So I pushed everything away: the fear, the anxiety, the sadness." (Chapter 8)
This passage reveals Tara's coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional pain, which often involved suppressing her feelings rather than confronting them.
5. "I'd learned that if you didn't speak up, people would assume you were okay... But I wasn't okay. I was broken." (Chapter 10)
Tara's silence and inability to articulate her emotions or experiences has left her feeling shattered and disconnected from others.
These quotes provide a glimpse into the themes of abuse, trauma, and emotional pain that are woven throughout "Educated". The book is a testament to Tara's resilience and determination to reclaim her life and find her own path.
In Tara Westover's memoir "Educated", she shares her story of growing up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, and how she eventually educates herself despite being born into poverty. The book is filled with powerful quotes that explore themes of identity, education, and self-discovery. Here are some quotes about the mountain:
1. "The mountain was my home, but it was also a prison... I had been trapped in this world for so long that I didn't know what lay beyond its borders." (Chapter 2)
This quote highlights Tara's sense of confinement and isolation within her family's isolated community. The mountain represents not only physical distance from the outside world but also emotional and intellectual confinement.
2. "The mountain was a place where people went to hide... It was a refuge for those who needed to escape, to get away from the troubles that plagued them." (Chapter 4)
In this quote, Tara describes the mountain as a sanctuary for those seeking solitude or escape. This theme is repeated throughout the book, as she and her family use the mountain as a place to retreat and hide.
3. "I had never seen the world beyond our valley... I knew that there were cities and towns, but they might as well have been on another planet." (Chapter 5)
This quote illustrates Tara's limited understanding of the outside world, which is shaped by her family's isolationist worldview. The mountain represents a physical barrier between her reality and the wider world.
4. "The mountain was a place where I could be alone... Where I could think without distraction." (Chapter 6)
In this passage, Tara reflects on the mountain as a space for introspection and solitude. This theme is significant in the book, as she grapples with her own identity and seeks to understand herself better.
These quotes demonstrate how the mountain serves as a symbol of confinement, escape, isolation, and self-discovery throughout Tara's story. The mountain represents a threshold between her old life and new possibilities, which she eventually crosses through education and self-empowerment.