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The Gift of an Education: Agency in Women's Award-Winning Memoirs Item Info

Abstract: This paper investigates memoir writing as a catalyst to future success and achievement as well as a documented literary artifact of one’s ambitious triumphs. In Malala Yousafzai’s debut memoir, I Am Malala, the author discusses the perpetually powerful ignition of her mind and how that led her to her quality education and second chance at life. Similarly, Tara Westover hails from her religious community and explores the agencies of poignant self-determination and authentic authorship in Educated. These women hold significance in their subjugations in that they tore down the walls of marginalization and an unattainable education as well as they created literature that shows valuable transcontinental change. Therefore, through a comparative close reading of the way in which Yousafzai and Westover defy the denial of education from their respective religious communities, this article argues that both women subvert expectations by firstly, pursuing their education and secondly, recording it in their life narratives of education. In writing about their experiences, both women exemplify how they use life writing to assert their agency through the dissemination of their stories, and encourage other women similarly oppressed by patriarchy. Despite facing multiple forms of liminality, they strongly disregarded the inaccessibility of their education and persevered. This ultimately led to their global success and achievement as articulate and capable women who continue to thrive instead of merely existing and remaining stagnant in an ever-changing world, all by inspiring others to create their own autobiographies.

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Title:
The Gift of an Education: Agency in Women's Award-Winning Memoirs
Creator:
Joseph, Gabriella
Date Created:
2021-12
Description:
Abstract: This paper investigates memoir writing as a catalyst to future success and achievement as well as a documented literary artifact of one’s ambitious triumphs. In Malala Yousafzai’s debut memoir, I Am Malala, the author discusses the perpetually powerful ignition of her mind and how that led her to her quality education and second chance at life. Similarly, Tara Westover hails from her religious community and explores the agencies of poignant self-determination and authentic authorship in Educated. These women hold significance in their subjugations in that they tore down the walls of marginalization and an unattainable education as well as they created literature that shows valuable transcontinental change. Therefore, through a comparative close reading of the way in which Yousafzai and Westover defy the denial of education from their respective religious communities, this article argues that both women subvert expectations by firstly, pursuing their education and secondly, recording it in their life narratives of education. In writing about their experiences, both women exemplify how they use life writing to assert their agency through the dissemination of their stories, and encourage other women similarly oppressed by patriarchy. Despite facing multiple forms of liminality, they strongly disregarded the inaccessibility of their education and persevered. This ultimately led to their global success and achievement as articulate and capable women who continue to thrive instead of merely existing and remaining stagnant in an ever-changing world, all by inspiring others to create their own autobiographies.
Subjects:
memoir autobiography women education human rights Malala Yousafzai I Am Malala Tara Westover Educated religion Christian Mormon
Methods:
textual analysis
Location:
Idaho
Language:
English
Source
Preferred Citation:
"The Gift of an Education: Agency in Women's Award-Winning Memoirs", English Honors Thesis Repository, Nevada State University
Reference Link:
https://nevada-state-english.github.io/nsu-english-thesis/items/ht039.html
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