The violence and defense mechanism in Tara Westover's Memoir Educated (2018)

Mardianingrum, Dara Dinanti (2025) The violence and defense mechanism in Tara Westover's Memoir Educated (2018). Sarjana thesis, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.

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Abstract

This research analyzed the themes of violence and defense mechanisms in Tara Westover's memoir Educated (2018). Tara Westover shared the complexities of her experiences and psychological condition. This research identified instances of violence in Tara Westover's life using Johan Galtung's theory of violence. Additionally, it employed Sigmund Freud's theory of psychoanalysis to explore how she uses defense mechanisms related to the violence she experienced. This research used the literary criticism method to analyze, assess, and describe Tara Westover's psychological condition in light of the violence she encountered and her subsequent use of defense mechanisms to address her psychological conflicts. It also applied an expressive approach to examine her work, focusing on Tara Westover's state of mind and feelings as conveyed through her experiences, both consciously and unconsciously. The findings of this research revealed that Tara Westover has experienced three types of violence: physical violence, verbal violence, and emotional or psychological violence. These experiences have significantly impacted her psychological well-being, leading to the manifestation of Thanatos (the death instinct), which in turn results in self-destructive behaviors. Violence has become one of the factors that has prompted Tara Westover to employ various defense mechanisms. Through her experiences, she used these mechanisms to suppress or eliminate unpleasant feelings. This research resulted in eight types of defense mechanisms: denial, reaction formation, rationalization, displacement, projection, repression, regression, and sublimation. The conclusion of this research can be understood that the violence that Tara Westover experienced contributed to her psychological conflicts, activating Thanatos (the death instinct) and encouraging destructive actions against herself. Consequently, her defense mechanisms emerged to help her manage the unpleasant feelings and psychological disorders arising from these conflicts.

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