Alyssa Sun answers “This book is disgusting to me. I do not...”

Patricia Barry asked this question about Educated:

This book is disgusting to me. I do not understand why an educated and worldly individual would have difficulty understanding the horrible and violent upbringing that she experienced. It is unbelievable to me that she could not understand the violent situation, yet uneducated upbringing she endured. I have completely misunderstood her manner of education in a life in our country, in this country, how is this possible?

Alyssa Sun She is telling the story from the perspective of her younger self. She is telling is the way she EXPERIENCED it, recounting how she thought and felt a…moreShe is telling the story from the perspective of her younger self. She is telling is the way she EXPERIENCED it, recounting how she thought and felt as the girl she was, not who she is now.
Besides, if Tara's present self fails to understand her childhood and teenagehood, that would still be reasonable: Imagine being transported to a parallel universe where Tara's family is the norm instead of the exception, how would you feel? Of course, you'd say, I'd know that my upbringing was perfectly healthy and the people around me are loony, but you should remember that you have been TAUGHT the concept of right and wrong, of reason and absurdity. Tara was never TAUGHT how to think or how to judge. (less)

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