Themes (Cody)
This theme led Tara and two siblings to better their lives while the others were left behind.
What is College?
This horrible event in history led Tara to realize how uneducated she was.
What is the Holocaust?
This character is one of Tara's older brothers, and was the first to break away and go to college.
Who is Tyler?
Tara's parents followed this religion to an extreme, causing a divide in the family.
What is Mormonism?
Buck's Peak, Tara's home city, is located in this US State.
What is Idaho?
Gene's obsession with these "non truths" leads his family to be stunted in terms of facts and science.
What are Conspiracy Theories?
The city Tara lives in, surrounded by mountains, exemplifies how isolated she is.
What is Buck's Peak?
This character was Tara's only sister, and initially supported her before cutting her off.
Who is Audrey?
This is the main subject Tara pursues that starts her rift from the family.
What is Education?
Name the three colleges Tara attended throughout her pursuit of education.
BYU, The University of Cambridge, Harvard University.
Tara experiences a breakdown after leaving her family, especially due to being the "black sheep" and not understanding social norms. However, this theme, sharing the title of the book, helps her to grow.
What is Educated?
This color, commonly found in roses, signifies that Tara is in danger throughout the story.
What is the color Red?
This character suffered a serious injury due to a car crash and could not function properly for weeks.
Who is Faye?
This is an alternate way of medical treatment including plants and essential oils, that Faye practices, that barely heals wounds and leaves them with severe scars.
What is herbalism?
Gene often traveled to this US state in order to help his depressive moods.
What is Arizona?
This statue represented how isolated Tara was, because rather talking to peers, she talked to a statue for reassurance.
What is the Indian Princess?
This mass hysteria event, which happened in 1999, represents how harshly Gene puts his faith in The Lord, even if it harms himself or others. This conspiracy had Gene up until midnight waiting for the end of the world.
What is Y2K?
This character banned dairy products in their household, because it went against the Lord.
Who is Gene?
Gene believes that public schools and hospitals are conspiracy theories, created by this governing body of our nation.
What is The Government?
Tara officially earned her PhD in intellectual history at this college.
What is The University of Cambridge?
Tara did this at the end of the story, which resulted in her losing most of her extended family and having a mental breakdown.
What is cutting off family?
This horrible event that Shawn committed near the end of the book symbolizes how far he is willing to abuse those who care about him.
What is the act of killing Diego?
This character got mad at Tara for "joking" about not knowing the Holocaust.
Who is Vanessa?
This standoff in Boundary County, Idaho, that took place in 1992, started Gene's paranoia about the government and public services
What was the battle of Ruby Ridge?
At this location, Tara reunited with Tyler and prepared for her pursuit of education.