Book name: educated

Question

Chapter Six.
1. On page 55, Tara says, "Having to explain his trade to a ten-year-old girl somehow made us both feel small." How did this make each of them feel small? What does she mean by "feel small"?
2. Explain how muscle testing works and why Tara's mother began to use it?
3. Where did Richard "disappear" in the afternoons when he was supposed to be helping his mother make tinctures?
4. When Tara falls from the forklift after her leg is impaled by iron, she thinks "I should have been able to do it,..It's a simple thing." Why does she think this? Is it true?

Chapter Seven:
What happened to Luke and why was he "unable to get out of his gasoline-soaked jeans"?
2. How did Tara cool Luke's burn? (hint: she places his leg in something)
3. What "accessory" became a family table?
4. How do Richard and Tara's account of the Luke Story differ from their father's?
Chapter Eight:
1. What 2 jobs does Tara get?
2. What does Tara have to hide in her room from her dad?
3. How does Tara's father respond to the recital?
4. What hobby does Tara begin after her father forbids her from continuing with dance?
Chapter Nine:
1. What was Y2K? What did the Westovers think was going to happen?
2. Where does Tara get her "fancy dresses" for Annie?
3. Who suggests Tara should join choir?
4. What book of the Bible does Mr. Westover study for hours on the night of December 31, 1999?
Chapter Ten:
1. Where does Mother take the family after the disappointment of Y2K?
2. Who was driving the van when they crashed this time?
3. What kind of specialist is Rosie? Does her treatment help Tara?
4. Who finally helps Tara with her injury? How?
Chapter Eleven:
1. Which of Tara's brothers trained the Yearling (also known as Bud)?
2. Where does Shawn drive Tara when he says he needs to stay away from his friends?
3. Who saves Tara when Bud "went berserk"?
Chapter Twene: •
1. What does Shawn teach Tara when they are waiting in Albuquerque to unload their truck at Walmart?
2. What play does Shawn audition for?
3. What candy bar does Shawn initially ask Sadie to get for him?
4. Who says that Shawn had taken an interest in Sadie because "He's always protected angels with broken wings"? Do you think this is true? Why?
Chapter Thirteen:
1. Why does Tara's dad think it's the End of the World?
2. What new nickname does Shawn give Tara?
What does the pistol in Shawn's truck indicate he will do?
4. Why does Tara wake up with what felt like needles in her brain?
5. Who encourages Tara to leave?
Chapter Fourteen:
1. What test does Tara begin studying for?
2. When does Tara leave everyday to go study at Worm Creek?
3. Who does Tara ask for help with solving a trigonometry problem?
4. Who does Shawn ask for after his accident?
Chapter Fifteen
1. Does her father want Tara to go to BYU? Does her mother want her to go?
2. Which is the only section Tara feels confident about on the ACT?
3. What does Tara score on the ACT?
4. How old is Tara? How old did her mother think she was?
Chapter Sixteen:
1. Where does Tara say she usually studies so her dad doesn't lecture her?
2. What causes Shawn to crash his motorcycle?

Answer 1

Educated by Tara Westover - Chapter Summaries and Analysis

Chapter Six:

1. Tara and her father feel "small" because they are in a position where they have to confront the reality of their lack of formal education and understanding of the outside world. When Tara is forced to explain her father’s trade as an unlicensed contractor to a child, it highlights their isolation and lack of conventional knowledge. "Feel small" suggests a sense of inadequacy and vulnerability in the face of societal norms and expectations.

2. Muscle testing, also known as "applied kinesiology," involves testing a person's muscle strength to determine their body's response to various substances or beliefs. Tara's mother begins to use this technique as a means of making health decisions, believing it connects her to her intuition and enhances her ability to heal without conventional medicine.

3. Richard "disappears" in the afternoons when he is supposed to help their mother make tinctures by going to the local library, where he indulges his curiosity and desires for more knowledge about the world beyond their home.

4. After Tara falls from the forklift and impales her leg, she thinks “I should have been able to do it… It's a simple thing” because she internalizes a sense of competence and capability that she associates with practicality and physicality. This belief underscores her struggles with self-doubt and the expectation she feels to manage these tasks, despite the reality of the physical danger involved.

Chapter Seven:

1. Luke was burned when his friend accidentally lit gasoline, causing a fire that severely injured him. He was "unable to get out of his gasoline-soaked jeans" because they were melted to his skin and stuck, preventing him from extricating himself safely from his clothing.

2. Tara cools Luke's burn by placing his leg in a tub of cold water, which helps to reduce the severity of the burn and alleviates some of the pain.

3. An "accessory" that becomes a family table is a large piece of plywood, which highlights the family's resourcefulness and need to adapt their environment for practical use amid their challenging living conditions.

4. Richard and Tara's account of the Luke story emphasizes the more distressing and chaotic nature of the event, while their father tends to minimize the seriousness, perhaps to protect his own image or the family's narrative.

Chapter Eight:

1. Tara gets two jobs: one as a grocery store cashier and another as a housekeeper at a local hotel, both of which provide her with financial independence.

2. Tara has to hide her job as a cashier and the money she earns from her father, as he would likely view it as a betrayal of family values and beliefs about self-sufficiency and wifely duties.

3. Tara's father responds to her recital with anger and disappointment, as he believes that participating in such activities diverts her from her duties at home and from the family's beliefs.

4. After her father forbids her from continuing with dance, Tara begins to pursue writing as a hobby, allowing her a creative outlet for expression.

Chapter Nine:

1. Y2K, or the Year 2000 problem, was a computer programming issue that many believed would lead to catastrophic failures in technology. The Westovers, influenced by their fear of the end times, believed it could result in societal collapse and various disasters.

2. Tara gets her "fancy dresses" for Annie from thrift stores, showing her resourcefulness and how she adapts to her environment regarding culture and social practices.

3. It is Richard who suggests that Tara should join the choir, recognizing her talent and pushing her to explore her abilities outside of her restrictive upbringing.

4. Mr. Westover studies the Book of Revelation for hours on New Year's Eve, reflecting his eschatological beliefs and fears about the impending apocalypse.

Chapter Ten:

1. After the disappointment of Y2K, Mother takes the family to celebrate at a local diner, attempting to lift their spirits despite the fear and uncertainty they had felt.

2. Shawn was driving the van when they crashed, which emphasizes the chaotic nature of their lives and the recklessness often present in their parenting dynamics.

3. Rosie is a specialist in acupuncture, and though Tara is skeptical, her treatment does help alleviate some of her chronic pain.

4. Tara's injury is finally addressed by a professional doctor, who provides the necessary medical care that Tara had long been deprived of due to her family's opposition to conventional medicine.

Chapter Eleven:

1. Tara's brother Richard trained Bud, the Yearling, as part of their family farm activities, showcasing his caring nature toward animals.

2. Shawn drives Tara away when he claims he needs to stay away from his friends, hinting at his troubled relationships and his need for an escape.

3. Luke saves Tara when Bud "went berserk" by intervening and helping to control the situation, showcasing his protective instincts toward his sister.

Chapter Twelve:

1. While waiting in Albuquerque, Shawn teaches Tara about handling the logistics of truck unloading and the capricious nature of their lifestyle.

2. Shawn auditions for a school play, reflecting a moment of connection to the outside world and its cultural activities.

3. Shawn asks Sadie to get him a Snickers bar, representing a moment of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic life.

4. Tara feels that Shawn’s interest in Sadie is a reflection of his nurturing side, suggesting that there is depth to his character. Whether it is true or not depends on the interpretation of his protective behavior mixed with his complicated character.

Chapter Thirteen:

1. Tara’s father believes that the End of the World is imminent due to persistent fears of apocalyptic events, which heightens the family's already pervasive anxiety.

2. Shawn gives Tara the nickname "Daughter of the Rebellion," indicating her burgeoning independence and his recognition of her desire to seek a life beyond their upbringing.

3. The pistol in Shawn's truck indicates potential violence or a readiness to confront threats, either real or imagined, which speaks to the family's prevailing culture of fear and mistrust.

4. Tara wakes up feeling like needles are in her brain as a result of immense stress and possibly related to her chronic pain, indicative of her mental and physical health struggles.

5. Tara is encouraged to leave by Richard, who sees the potential for her growth and education outside their tumultuous home life.

Chapter Fourteen:

1. Tara begins studying for the ACT, seeing it as a pathway to higher education and a different life than the one she has known.

2. Tara leaves for Worm Creek every day to study in solitude, distancing herself from the family’s noise and distractions.

3. Tara asks Richard for help with solving a trigonometry problem, showcasing her reliance on him for academic support.

4. After his accident, Shawn asks for their father, as he likely seeks reassurance and support from the family he feels connected to despite their toxic dynamics.

Chapter Fifteen:

1. Tara's father is opposed to her attending BYU, as he believes that the university is too liberal and counter to their beliefs, while her mother is more supportive of Tara's desire for education.

2. The only section Tara feels confident about on the ACT is the writing section, as it represents her true passion and talent.

3. Tara scores a 30 on the ACT, a significant accomplishment that reflects her hard work and determination despite her challenging background.

4. At the time of her ACT test, Tara is 17 years old, but her mother mistakenly believes she is 16, highlighting the disconnection both physically and temporally in their lives.

Chapter Sixteen:

1. Tara typically studies in the woods or other secluded areas away from the house, where she feels she can focus without interruption from her father’s lectures or demands.

2. Shawn crashes his motorcycle due to reckless behavior, indicative of his disregard for safety and the consequences of his lifestyle choices.

This summary encapsulates some of the key points and themes from the chapters in "Educated" by Tara Westover. If you have further questions or need more details on specific areas, feel free to ask!