The book Educated by Tara Westover is a very long and intriguing story about the life of the author. She discusses growing up in a strict, religious home, and being surrounded by many siblings (some older and some younger). One of her older brothers, Shawn, was seen almost as a legend in Tara’s eyes (96), because she had hardly ever seen him. The only clues she had to who he was were the rumors of him spoken around town. One day when Tara wakes, she sees Shawn helping her dad (96). From this point on Tara and Shawn start to build a relationship together, which contains both ups and downs. In the beginning they enjoy each other’s company, but this soon changes. In chapter 14, My Feet No Longer Touch Earth, something occurs to Shawn that causes change, unveiling, and realization to their stranger relationship.
After the return of Shawn, Tara finds it strange seeing, “this brother who was nearly a stranger to me” (96). While it is a little weird at first, they begin to get along, and doing things such as taming a horse (101), auditioning for a play (107), and even running a long- haul rig for a week together. They had nicknames for each other, they worked and hung out together, and enjoyed each one’s company.
One day while Shawn and Tara were at a play practice, Shawn spent some time with a girl named Sadie. He would mess with her and play tricks, telling Tara she had “Fish Eyes” (107). He explained by saying “They’re beautiful, but their as empty as a Tire” (107). This was Shawn’s opinion on worldly, immoral people (specifically girls), but he showed Tara respect. Shawn had a tendency of making fun of and picking on those he viewed as “wrong”, instead of just leaving them be. It is almost as if it is his job to show them their place, and to prove that he is right about them. This is a constantly seen pattern in Shawn’s behavior, which eventually shows itself in his relationship with Tara. Later on, one evening Sadie was at their home with Shawn, and she is almost tortured by Shawn in the ways he messes with her. Tara did not appreciate this, so after Sadie left, Tara dumped water on Shawn’s head instead of bringing water for him to drink. Furiously Shawn chased after Tara, grabbing her by the hair, and demanding for an apology. When Tara refused, he picked her up, and dunked her head in the toilet. He held her there, screaming that she apologizes. Tara is silent, so Shawn yanks her out, and places her in a very painful hold, with her arm pressed behind her back. He did this until she finally apologized (101). This is the first time that readers see Shawn act negatively toward Tara, and unfortunately this is only the beginning.
Later on, we see the second outbreak between Tara and Shawn, causing them to become more distant. Tara starts to wear more lipstick and makeup, and Shawn immediately notices. Tara also begins hanging around a boy named Charles who also attends play practice. Shawn starts calling her “Fish Eyes” and “Whore”, and he accuses her of being “That kind of girl” (114). Shawn is now described with very little respect toward Tara, and it is shrinking by the minute. Tara decides one night to put on lip gloss to play practice, and when she sees Charles staring at Sadie, she reapplies it. Shawn notices this, and he snaps (114-115). Shawn is completely outraged, and Tara knows it. On the way home Shawn chooses to leave Tara’s window down (this is during the month of January), and not relenting even when she screams that she’s freezing. Shawn just laughs the whole way. The next thing Tara knows, she is awake and feeling disoriented. She describes to have “needles in her brain”, and she slowly starts making out her surroundings. She is in the kitchen, she sees light peering through the windows, and she hears the voices of Shawn and her mother. Shawn is screaming and yelling in anger, while her mom is crying and saying, “Stop! You’re killing her! Stop!” (116). All of a sudden, Tara sees that she is raised in the air, and being strangled by Shawn. Shawn starts thrashing her around, grabbing her by the hair, and calling her all sorts of names, demanding that she admits she is a whore. Shawn continues to do this, until he is stopped, by one of Tara’s other brothers, Tyler (117-118). Later, Tara comes back and installs a lock on her door, and strangely enough Shawn helps her (121).
Tara’s relationship with Shawn is complicated and crazy, and they come against each other more than once. At this point, the readers completely see how bad Tara is treated, but they wonder why they still remain somewhat close. In chapter 14 Tara is seen to be at her Aunt’s house, where Tyler is staying, so that she can practice for the ACT. While she is there, she receives a call from her mom. When she picks up, she receives terrible news (127). Shawn, their Dad, and two of her brothers were working, and Shawn fell over the edge of a wooden pallet. Shawn was underneath a concrete wall, and he hit his head against it, while still falling (128). He had not sustained any outside injuries, but was damaged internally. Their Dad let him rest, then after awhile put him back to work. Shawn would not listen, and he started going crazy. Shawn was tackled to the ground, and he hit his head a second time. The scariest part was that someone called 911, which their family never did (129). Her mom said the doctors did not know if he would survive or not. Tara quickly gave the excuse that it was snowing and she could not drive back to see them until the next day. Within the chapter Tara states that she would rather have a definitive answer to Shawn’s health, even if the answer was, he would die. One day passed and Tara made her way home, but then went to her job to work. Tara was called again by her mom, asking why she had not shown up. Her mom then went on saying that Shawn did not recognize anyone except for Tara, he had only mentioned her name. Tara then decided to go (130). When Tara arrived, Shawn was asleep, but the next day Shawn immediately recognized her. Shawn was soon brought home, and Tara would continually care for him. The doctors said his personality may change, causing him to be angrier toward people (131).
By looking at the book, the reader can tell that Tara is someone who wants reasons behind actions, and wanting to know why something is happening. This is especially true when she would rather have the straight answer of yes or no from the doctors, no matter the outcome. She would convince herself that there was common cause for Shawn’s actions. She has always tried to come up with an explanation and imbed it into herself. It was either he did not really mean it, or she deserved what happened to her. After Shawn returned home, he did go through a personality change, and this is what Tara used as an excuse. She would say, “before his injury he never hurt me I just want my brother back.” This shown the readers that Tara so enjoyed having a good relationship with Shawn, that she let it cloud her judgment. Later on, in the book, more and more things happen in Shawn and Tara’s relationship. In chapter 14, My Feet No Longer Touch Earth, there is the first major change in their relationship. This causes both of them to change, it unveils the true nature of the relationship, and it paves the way for realization for both of them in the future.
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