Themes (Tywan)
What is a bomb shelter? (Tywan)
Tara's dad builds this to prepare for the end of the world. (Chapter 2)
What did education represent through the story? (Fidel)
Freedom
”i think this is the worse place for you “where could i go go where i went tyler said go to college” page 121
Who’s side did Taras family side with when she informed them about Shawns abusive behavior? (Sigfrid)
In chapter 34, Tara had built up the courage to confront her parents about Shawns abusive behaviors, however, their parents seem to side more to Shawns side even asking Tara to provide and show them “proof”. (Westover 285)
Who is Gene Westover? (Ella)
Tara’s father (Was introduced on page 4)
Where did tara grow up? (Pennijo)
Idaho (Chapter 1)
Who drives recklessly during scrap metal runs? (Tywan)
Taras dad
Tara describes this as poison to the body one that never leaves your body (page183) (Fidel)
Drugs
“mother always see aid that medical drugs are special type of poison on that can never leave the body”)
What major historical event/atrocity was Tara unaware of at BYU? (Sigfrid)
In chapter 17, Tara had encountered the word “Holocaust” which she was unfamiliar with, she then asked the meaning which left everyone shocked and disgusted. This incident left her to feel embarrassed and later led to her researching more regarding the Holocaust. (Westover 157) (cultural conflict)
Why is Tyler’s decision to leave home for college important to Tara’s journey? (Ella)
Because his choice to pursue education gives Tara her first glimpse of life beyond Buck’s Peak and gives her motivation to follow a similar path toward self-discovery and also learning (Chapter 4)
What age was tara when she started attending school? (Pennijo)
17 (Chapter 18)
What state does the family crash in when returning to? (Tywan)
Arizona (Chapter 6)
In the story educated what did Tara and her family consider doctors and hospitals (Fidel)
Evil socialist (chapter 213 “given the choice between seeing an evil socialist doctor or admitting to my boyfriends that i believed that doctors were evil socalist)
Why did Shawn physically abuse Tara? (Sigfrid)
In chapter 12, Tara mentioned that Shawn demanded her to get a glass of water, Tara then followed, however, she dumped it on Shawns head causing him to be furious leading to the altercation. (Westover 109)
Why is Shawn’s character central to Tara’s emotional and psychological conflict in the memoir? (Ella)
Because his abusive behavior forced Tara to confront the reality of her family's denial, pushing her to choose between protecting herself or staying loyal to people who were hurting her. (Page 97 shows him being aggressive)
Tara earned her PH.D. from what university? (Pennijo)
University of Cambridge (Chapter 28)
Who is Shawn (Tywan)
Taras abusive violent and protective brother. (Chapter 9)
While gazing at bucks peak Tara describes the mountain as a woman what was the distraction of this women. (Fidel)
Indian prince
(prologue “behind me a gentle hill slopes upward stitching itself to the mountain base. If i look up i can see dark form of the indian prince
How did Tara feel when she saw Shannon wearing a tank top and pajamas? (Sigfrid)
Tara felt uncomfortable and shocked as she was used to seeing these as immodest. In chapter 17, Tara instantly remembered her dads saying of how there were gentiles everywhere and that it reminded Tara of Shannon’s tank top and pajamas. She also mentioned that she would always try and avoid gentiles but now she’s living with one. This made (Westover 154) (internal conflict)
Why is Dr. Jonathan Steinberg important to Tara’s growth as a scholar and individual? (Ella)
Because he encourages Tara to care about her intelligence/smartness, helping her believe she belongs in school spaces, and supports her through her transition from depression to self-worth. (Chapter 28)
What academic subject did Tara study in college? (Pennijo)
Intellectual history (Chapter 27)
What test does Tara take for college? (Tywan)
ACT
What does the mountain, Buck’s Peak, symbolize in Tara’s life? (Fidel)
Tara’s childhood home, representing both isolation and her family’s stronghold, but also the boundaries she must break free from? (“if i went back to working with dad, to waking up every morning pulling on steel toed boots it be as last four mounth ad never happen “
Who is Taras hardest battle really with? Her family or herself? Why? (Sigfrid)
Herself as it took time and effort for her to distinguish differences between the version of herself shaped by her family and their beliefs compared to the person she is becoming as she pursues more education and self-discovery. We can see this in chapter 40 where she initially reflected on her journey.
Why is Faye Westover’s loyalty to her husband over Tara significant in Tara’s transformation? (Ella)
Because it marks the moment Tara realizes her family will not protect her and her truth, forcing her to completely separate from them and claim her own identity on her terms (Chapter 32)
What did Tara use to justify her memories? (Pennijo)
Journals (Chapter 22)