Learning Forward Saturday
To read and discuss Chapter 8 of Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated.
Key Takeaways
Tara’s First Jobs: At age 11, Tara secured her first paid jobs—babysitting and packing nuts—to escape her father’s volatile presence at home.
Dance Class Conflict: Tara’s father condemned her dance class as “Satan’s deception” because the leotards were “immodest,” forcing her mother to intervene and arrange for the entire class to wear oversized sweatshirts for the recital.
Singing as a Path to Acceptance: Tara’s singing talent earned her father’s approval and transformed his social interactions, causing him to temporarily set aside his paranoia about “California socialism” and the “Illuminati” to accept compliments from people he previously scorned.
The Power of Parental Approval: Tara’s father’s support for her singing, including funding her audition for the musical Annie, highlights the profound impact of parental validation on a child’s development and confidence.
Topics
Tara’s First Jobs & Exposure to the Outside World
Motivation: To escape her father’s volatile presence at home, Tara sought her first paid jobs at age 11.
First Job → Babysitting:
Secured via a card at the post office run by Mirna Moyle.
She also worked with Mirna’s daughter, Mary, and her friend, Eve.
Second Job → Nut Packing:
Mirna connected Tara with Randy, a local nut seller.
Tara packed cashews, almonds, and macadamias.
New Experiences:
Piano Lessons: Traded babysitting for lessons with Mary after being captivated by her playing.
Dance Class: Joined a ballet class taught by Mary’s sister, Caroline.
The Dance Class & Father’s Condemnation
Initial Conflict: Tara felt out of place in her jeans and boots among the other girls in leotards.
She refused to wear a leotard, citing her father’s belief that a “righteous woman never shows anything above her ankle.”
Mother’s Intervention:
Tara’s mother secretly bought her a leotard and tights and told her to keep them hidden from her father.
She later arranged for the entire class to wear oversized sweatshirts for the Christmas recital to avoid confronting her husband directly.
Recital Disaster:
Tara, ashamed of the sweatshirt, performed poorly, refusing to leap or cartwheel so the fabric wouldn’t ride up.
Her father attended, and his anger was palpable.
Father’s Reaction:
Condemned the class as “Satan’s deception” for promoting “immodesty” and “promiscuity.”
He was particularly offended that it happened in a church.
Singing as a Path to Acceptance
Mother’s Initiative: After the dance incident, Tara’s mother found a voice teacher, funded by her oil sales, to give Tara a creative outlet her father would approve of.
Voice Teacher’s Method:
Used physical techniques to improve posture and diaphragm strength (e.g., pulling hair, stepping on stomach).
Church Performance:
Tara’s debut hymn performance succeeded, earning her praise and invitations to join the choir, sing for the Rotary Club, and perform at a funeral.
Father’s Transformation:
Tara’s singing talent earned her father’s approval and transformed how he interacted socially.
He temporarily set aside his paranoia about “California socialism” and the “Illuminati” to accept compliments from people he previously scorned, like Papa Jay.
He became a proud supporter, driving long distances to hear her sing.
Audition for Annie:
Tara’s mother initially dismissed an audition for the musical Annie due to the 12-mile commute and cost.
After hearing Tara practice, her father intervened, telling her mother, “I’ll find the money... You get her to that audition.”
Discussion: Social & Emotional Skills
Tara’s Internal Conflict: The narrative shows Tara’s struggle to reconcile her father’s rigid beliefs with the outside world’s norms.
She internalised his views, even judging the younger dance students as “tiny harlots.”
Her main concern was always earning his approval, never rebelling against his rules.
Parental Role in Development: The story illustrates how parents navigate their own beliefs while supporting a child’s growth.
Tara’s mother acted as a buffer, finding ways for Tara to pursue interests without directly defying her father.
Educational Relevance: The story highlights the importance of social and emotional skills, which are now key components of the CBSE curriculum.
Social Skills: Learning to adjust to different social environments and interact with diverse people.
Emotional Skills: Managing emotions and navigating the emotional challenges of a complex family dynamic.
Next Steps
Brinda Ghosh: Continue reading and discuss Chapter 9 of Educated next Saturday.
All Participants: Reflect on the chapter’s themes, particularly the internal conflict Tara faces and the impact of parental approval.
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